Biography

  Though she would spend most of her youth in New York, Jennifer Aniston was born in Sherman Oaks, California, into a prominent acting family. Well connected from the beginning -- her father is veteran Days of Our Lives star John Aniston; her godfather is none other than Telly Savalas -- Aniston did not discover her own penchant for acting until attending the Rudolf Steiner School drama club at 11, where Steiner himself encouraged her to pursue a career in theater and film.

  Aniston proved to be a talented painter during her stay at the Rudolf Steiner School (one of her pieces was displayed at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art), but acting became her primary focus after graduating from New York's prestigious High School for the Performing Arts in 1987, and she held roles in off-Broadway productions such as For Dear Life and Dancing on Checker's Grave.


  Though Friends launched Aniston's career as a sitcom actress, her television debut was in 1989, when she starred in 1990's short-lived series Molloy. Before long, Aniston's television resume had grown to include appearances in The Edge, a role in the ultimately unsuccessful attempt at adapting Ferris Bueller's Day Off into sitcom format, and a part in an episode of Quantum Leap. In 1991, she landed a recurring role on Herman's Head, while 1993 led her to a small part on The Ben Stiller Show.

  By 1994, it looked like Aniston was destined for a life of obscure parts in doomed television sitcoms. Despite being asked to audition for the role of Monica Gellar in a pilot for a sitcom at that point titled "Friends Like These" (a role that would eventually be filled by Courtney Cox), Aniston insisted on trying out for the part of Rachel Green, a spoiled suburbanite turned spunky coffee house waitress. The rest, as they say, is history -- "Friends Like These" would become the mega-hit Friends.

  Friends quickly inspired an obsessive following, as did Aniston's signature hairstyle. Just as "The Rachel" fell out of popularity in the salons, Aniston began scoring roles in a series of romantic comedies -- namely, She's the One (1996), Picture Perfect (1997), 'Til There Was You (1997), and The Object of My Affection(1998) -- and met fellow actor Brad Pitt. Gwen and Brad quickly turned to Jen and Brad, and the two young stars took their place among Hollywood's elite power couples after their marriage in 2000.In January 2005, the couple announced that after 4 1/2 years of marriage, they were to seperate. Divorce papers were filed on March 25th by Jennifer, citing irreconcilable differences with Brad. The two remain co-owners of the Plan B production company with producer Brad Grey.

  Needless to say, Aniston had gained an astounding amount of notoriety since her fledgling film debut in 1993's Leprechaun, and starred in director Stephen Herek's Rock Star in 2000 after a relatively well-received supporting role in 1999's Office Space. Though Rock Star was far from a massive success, Aniston's talent for dramatic roles was finally given a proper outlet, and she went on to land the lead part in 2002's The Good Girl. In 2003, Aniston starred alongside Jim Carrey in the romantic comedy Bruce Almighty, which became the years most watched comedy, and Friends began its final season.

  In January of 2004, Aniston stared in the number 1 comedy in America. Along Came Polly grossed 26.7 million dollars in its first weekend, knocking Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King out of the top spot at the box office. Along Came Polly also starred Ben Stiller, Debra Messing, Alec Baldwin, and Hank Azaria . January also marked the end of our beloved Friends. The last episode ever of the hit sitcom was taped on January 23rd and will air on May 6th..

contributions by ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide