An American television and film actress, producer, director, businesswoman, and philanthropist, Jennifer Aniston gained immense popularity as the spoiled suburban princess-turned-independent woman Rachel Green on the iconic NBC sitcom Friends (1994–2004). Her recurring role earned her several awards including a Golden Globe Award for Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (2003), four People's Choice awards for Favorite Female Television Performer of the Year (2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003), and a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress of the Year in a Comedy Series (2002). Aniston has also starred in a number of blockbuster films like
Bruce Almighty, The Break-Up,
Marley & Me,
He's Just Not That Into You, The Bounty Hunter, and
We're The Millers.According to the Guinness World Book of Records (2005), Aniston became the highest paid TV actress of all time, owing to her legendary portrayal of Rachel Green. In 2012, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was voted "The Most Beautiful Woman" in 2004 and 2016, by People magazine.
Early LifeBorn as Jennifer Joanna Aniston, in Sherman Oaks, California to soap opera actors John Aniston and Nance Dow, Jennifer Aniston spent one year of her childhood in Greece and then moved to Eddystone, Pennsylvania, to live with her grandmother. Aniston had her first taste of acting at the age of 11 when she joined the Rudolf Steiner School`s drama club. Her passion for acting led her to formally train herself at the New York School of Performing Arts. Post her graduation, Aniston appeared in Off-Broadway productions like For Dear Life and Dancing on Checker's Grave. Then subsequently, she landed her maiden TV role, as a series regular on Molloy (1989).
Personal LifeJennifer Aniston tied the knot with the Hollywood superstar
Brad Pitt on 29th July 2000. The couple separated and divorced five years after their wedding, following an intense conjecture in the media that Pitt had cheated on Aniston with his Mr. & Mrs. Smith co-star Angelina Jolie, whom he later married.
In August 2012, Aniston got engaged to her
Wanderlust co-star Justin Theroux, who is also a film producer and screenwriter and in August 2015, the couple married in a small, private ceremony at their Bel-Air estate.
Movie CareerAfter making a rather forgetful silver screen debut with Leprechaun, in 1993, Aniston starred in the rom-com Picture Perfect. While the film got a lukewarm response at the box office, Aniston's performance was liked by both the audiences and critics. She then starred in her first big-budget film Bruce Almighty, in 2003, opposite Jim Carrey. Directed by Tom Shadyac, this comedy drama got mixed reviews from the critics but was a commercial blockbuster. Aniston then starred in movies like Along Came Polly, Derailed, and The Rumour Has It.... Continuing with her series of rom-com releases, she next appeared in Peyton Reed's movie The Break Up, along with Vince Vaughn. The movie, in spite of being slammed critically, was declared a super hit at the box office.
Thereafter, she bagged the lead role in the coming-of-age comedy-drama film Marley and Me (2008), opposite Owen Wilson. Directed by David Frankel, the film set a record for the largest Christmas Day box office ever with $14.75 million in ticket sales. In 2009, Aniston starred Ken Kwapis' drama film He's Just Not That Into You. Featuring an ensemble cast that includes
Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston,
Drew Barrymore,
Jennifer Connelly,
Kevin Connolly, Bradley Cooper, Ginnifer Goodwin,
Scarlett Johansson, and
Justin Long, the film made $27.5 million, again ranking No. 1 at the box office in its opening weekend. She then went on to star in a series of lucrative films including The Bounty Hunter (2010), Just Go With It (2011),
Horrible Bosses (2011) and Wanderlust (2012).
Her 2016 releases include
Mother's Day and
Storks, the latter being an animated comedy film directed by Nicholas Stoller and Doug Sweetland.