Article
news flash
Jennifer Aniston: 5 Facts You Didn't Know About the 'Friends' Star!
2024/04/11

ADVERTISEMENT

She may be one of Hollywood's most famous stars, but Jennifer Aniston considers herself an ordinary woman at heart. She's come a long way since her Friends days in the 1990s, and there's so much more to know about the iconic Hollywood actress.

Jen first got her start in acting at age 11 when she joined the Rudolf Steiner School's drama club, according to IMDb. The We're the Millers star, who was born to actors John Aniston and Nancy Dow in 1969, followed in her parents' footsteps as she began appearing in Off-Broadway productions including 1987's For Dear Life and Dancing on Checker's Grave.

Three years later in 1990, Jen landed her first TV role on the comedy sitcom Molloy, which ran for one season.

ADVERTISEMENT

She also appeared in Ferris Bueller that same year, as well as 1991's Herman's Head and 1992's The Edge.

Although she was having a hard time finding gigs around 1983, everything changed for the California native when she landed the role of Rachel Green in Friends. Jen portrayed the beloved character throughout the iconic series' 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004.

With the success of Friends, Jen was catapulted into a life of fame and superstardom. Her most impressive film credits include 2003's Bruce Almighty, 2004's Along Came Polly, 2008's Marley and Me, 2011's Just Go With It, 2013's We're the Millers and many more.

ADVERTISEMENT

Aside from appearing in more than 45 films and TV shows throughout her decades-long career, Jen — who was was married to Brad Pitt from 2000 to 2005 and Justin Theroux from 2015 to 2017 — also took home tons of accolades. So far, she's won two SAG awards, an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe and more.

Although the Horrible Bosses star has been a household name for more than 30 years, her status as a Hollywood star is challenging at times. In fact, Jen told the New York Times she can relate to her The Morning Show character, Alex, who struggles with fame.

"There's similarity to my life," she revealed in September 2019.

ADVERTISEMENT

"I relate in ways of feeling like, when you don't want to be seen, and you don't want to go out of the house, and you want to just scream, and you don't want to walk on a red carpet. I don't want to stand behind a podium, I don't want to have my photograph taken, I just want to cry today. You know?"

Even though she might feel like straying from the limelight, fans have been lucky to know and love Jennifer for as long as she's been killing it in her showbiz career!

Scroll through the gallery below to learn five facts you might not know about Jen.

ADVERTISEMENT

She Was a Real-Life Coffee Shop Waitress

"I waitressed for years in New York before I got any [acting jobs]," Jennifer told Instyle in October 2019. "And I was a telemarketer selling time-shares in the Poconos. I didn't make one sale. I was terrible at it. I was like, 'Why do we have to call people at dinnertime?' "

Reed Saxon/AP/Shutterstock

Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

ADVERTISEMENT

She Almost Didn't Get the Part on 'Friends'

Jennifer was contractually bound to a CBS sitcom, Muddling Through, when NBC first cast her as Rachel Green. Fortunately for Friends fans, CBS canceled its low-rated show, but before that, "I had phone calls from girlfriends saying, 'I'm auditioning for your part in Friends,'" Jen recalled while attending the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in January 2015.

3 of 6

Matt Sayles/AP/Shutterstock

Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

The Best Shows To Watch ForYoung Sheldon Fans
2024/08/22
Young Sheldon Star Reveals First Look at Missy's Return in Georgie & Mandy Spinoff
2024/08/15
'Please Don't Drink and Drive': Young Sheldon Star Reveals Meemaw's Limp Stems From Real-Life Accident
2024/08/12
Georgie & Mandy Spinoff EP Teases a 'Different Missy' in Young Sheldon Spinoff
2024/08/04
Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage Creator Teases ‘Bumpy Ride’ Ahead for Titular Couple
2024/08/04
Georgie and Mandy's First Marriage Set Photo Reveals Controversial Young Sheldon Character Return
2024/08/03
Young Sheldon's Annie Potts Teases Return in Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage Set Photos
2024/07/31
'They Don't Even Need Me': Young Sheldon Star on Possible Return in Georgie & Mandy Spinoff
2024/07/29
Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage Sneak Peek Image Highlights Mandy's Family
2024/07/22
Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage EP Reveals Which Episodes Bring Back Young Sheldon Stars
2024/07/21
'Incredible Human Being': Big Bang Theory & Young Sheldon Stars Honor Bob Newhart
2024/07/20
Young Sheldon's Iain Armitage Channels The Big Bang Theory While Meeting Co-Star's Baby
2024/07/19
Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage Recasts Young Sheldon Character as Series Regular
2024/07/19
Young Sheldon Guest Star Teases Return in Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage Set Photo
2024/07/16
Young Sheldon Spinoff Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage Gets Premiere Date
2024/07/13
Young Sheldon Stars Confirmed to Return in Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage
2024/07/13
Young Sheldon Star Trying to Get Older Georgie Actor Onto Upcoming Spinoff
2024/06/30
'We Just Pick Right Up': Young Sheldon Star Shares Update on Georgie & Mandy Spinoff
2024/06/30
Every Young Sheldon Season, Ranked
2024/06/23
Young Sheldon Series Finale Draws Highest Viewership in Years
2024/06/13