<P> Barone appeared in the fourth - season Seinfeld episode `` The Shoes '' as Gail Cunningham , a chef who wanted Elaine Benes ' shoes . In the early 1990s , she was a regular cast member of Carol & Company with actress Carol Burnett . Barone also played Carol Willick , Ross Geller 's ex-wife , in the character 's first appearance in Friends . She left the show as she wanted to pursue a more full - time role ; she was replaced by Jane Sibbett . She starred on The Jeff Foxworthy Show for the first season ( 1995 -- 1996 ) and in The War at Home from 2005 to 2007 . In 2000 , Barone also co-starred in the sitcom Daddio . </P>
<P> Barone appeared in the fourth - season Seinfeld episode `` The Shoes '' as Gail Cunningham , a chef who wanted Elaine Benes ' shoes . In the early 1990s , she was a regular cast member of Carol & Company with actress Carol Burnett . Barone also played Carol Willick , Ross Geller 's ex-wife , in the character 's first appearance in Friends . She left the show as she wanted to pursue a more full - time role ; she was replaced by Jane Sibbett . She starred on The Jeff Foxworthy Show for the first season ( 1995 -- 1996 ) and in The War at Home from 2005 to 2007 . In 2000 , Barone also co-starred in the sitcom Daddio . </P>
who plays carol in the first season of friends
who plays carol in the first season of friends
Barone
Barone