‘Scream’: Courteney Cox Is ‘Scared of Everything’ — ‘I Don’t Like Walking Home Alone’

Courteney Cox might be best-known for her role as Monica Geller in the Friends TV series, but for horror fans, her most iconic part is Gale Weathers in the Scream series. Cox, who is a skilled comedic performer, appeared in the very first Scream movie in 1996. These days, she’s reprising the role of Gale again in the all-new Scream, which hit theaters in early January 2022. Cox has been promoting the film in recent weeks, speaking out about her role in the beloved franchise and admitting that playing Gale Weathers has caused her to have some deeply-held fears and phobias. 

Courteney Cox plays Gale Weathers in the ‘Scream’ franchise

Cox was already a well-known TV star by the time she was cast in Scream in 1996. As Gale Weathers, Cox was first introduced as an antagonist, an aggressive TV journalist who was dedicated to getting the story, no matter what it took. However, by the end of the film, Gale had become a sympathetic character – and when Cox reprised her role as Gale in Scream 2, Scream 3, and Scream 4, she was a definite fan-favorite. 

In the brand-new film Scream, the fifth official installment in the franchise, Cox is once again on board as Gale, the hard-hitting journalist and writer. Set 25 years after the events of the original film, Scream features Cox, alongside other franchise favorite actors like Neve Campbell and Cox’s ex-husband, David Arquette, as they attempt to unmask a new Ghostface killer who seems even more deadly and perverse than any other villain so far. 

What did Courteney Cox say about being ‘scared of everything’ because of the ‘Scream’ films?

In a recent interview with IMDb, the three primary Scream cast members, David Arquette, Cox, and Neve Campbell, answered some “burning questions” related to the film. When the reporter asked who the biggest “scaredy-cat” of the three actors is, Campbell pointed to Cox right away, saying “Courteney…she’s scared of everything.”

Cox nodded in agreement, noting “‘Scream’ contributed a lot to my fear…bathroom stalls, you gotta look under because someone with black boots could be next to you. Parking lots…all of it scares me. I don’t like walking home alone.”

Courteney Cox admitted that TV is scarier than the ‘Scream’ films

Cox has been open about her love for the Scream franchise, and for the movie business in general. Although she rose to fame for her work in television, Cox noted in a recent interview with The New York Times that she actually prefers making movies. “In television, when I go out and do something new, it’s petrifying.” Cox went on to note “you feel nothing can live up to what you’ve done before. But in movies, we get the script and come to play our characters.”

In fact, when it came to reprising her role as Gale Weather after a 10-year hiatus from the character, Cox said she had no reservations at all: “I had no apprehensions. I was just so happy to be working with both of them.” In a separate interview, the actress praised the film as “fantastic,” calling it “hip” and “scary,” perfect for fans of all ages. Notably, Cox is earning great reviews from critics and fans thanks to her work in the Scream, and with a whole new generation of viewers discovering the character of Gale, it seems likely that the performance (and the character) will live on in pop culture fame for decades to come.