Words by Jennifer Aniston became one of the most famous people on the planet as Rachel Green on “Friends.” Three decades later she remains a star, now as an award-winning producer and lead of Apple TV+’s “The Morning Show.”
Early life
Jennifer Joanna Aniston was born on Feb. 11, 1969, in Sherman Oaks, California. Her father, John Aniston, was a Greek-born actor best known for “Days of Our Lives.” She grew up mostly in New York and attended the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, the school that inspired “Fame.”
Early career
After high school, Aniston acted off-Broadway and worked as a waitress and telemarketer before moving to Los Angeles. She appeared in several short-lived sitcoms and the horror film “Leprechaun” (1993).
Friends
In 1994, Aniston was cast as Rachel Green in NBC’s “Friends.” Over 10 seasons, the show became one of the most popular sitcoms ever. Her layered haircut, nicknamed “the Rachel,” became a national trend. She won the Emmy for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series in 2002, along with a Golden Globe.
By the final seasons, Aniston and her co-stars were each earning $1 million per episode.
Film career
Aniston drew critical praise for “The Good Girl” (2002) and “Office Space” (1999). She starred in a long list of comedies, including “Bruce Almighty,” “Along Came Polly,” “The Break-Up,” “Marley & Me,” “Horrible Bosses” and “We’re the Millers” (2013). She showed dramatic range in “Cake” (2014), earning Golden Globe and SAG nominations, and starred with Adam Sandler in the Netflix “Murder Mystery” films.
The Morning Show
Aniston returned to television in 2019 as anchor Alex Levy in Apple TV+’s “The Morning Show,” opposite Reese Witherspoon, who co-produced. Aniston won a Screen Actors Guild Award for the role, and the series has run for multiple seasons.
Production
Aniston co-founded the production company Plan B Entertainment in its early years and later founded Echo Films, which has produced “The Morning Show,” “Dumplin'” and other projects.
LolaVie
In 2021, Aniston launched LolaVie, a hair-care brand with plant-based ingredients. She has also had long partnerships with brands such as Aveeno, Smartwater and Vital Proteins.
Personal life
Aniston was married to Brad Pitt from 2000 to 2005 and to actor Justin Theroux from 2015 to 2018. She has spoken about frustration with tabloid speculation about her private life, writing an essay in 2016 pushing back against judgments of women’s bodies and choices.
Giving back
Aniston has supported St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for years, appearing in fundraising campaigns and helping raise millions of dollars. She has also donated to disaster relief.
Social media
When Aniston joined Instagram in 2019, her first post, a photo with her “Friends” co-stars, briefly broke a record as the fastest account to reach a million followers. The 2021 “Friends: The Reunion” special reunited the cast and drew millions of viewers.
Fitness and wellness
Aniston is known for her disciplined approach to health, including yoga, intermittent fasting and boxing workouts, and has partnered with fitness brand Pvolve. She often credits routine and rest with helping her balance long production days.
Comic timing
Directors often cite Aniston’s precise comic timing, honed over 236 episodes of “Friends,” as one of her greatest strengths. She can play broad physical comedy and quiet, wry moments with equal ease, which is why she has remained a go-to lead for studio comedies.
Legacy
Aniston is one of the rare television stars who stayed a household name long after her defining show ended. Her move into producing and dramatic work in “The Morning Show” has added new dimensions to a career that began with one of the most beloved characters in sitcom history.
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