Jennifer Joanne Aniston (born February 11, 1969) is an American actress, best known for playing Rachel Green on the highly popular television sitcom Friends, and for her much-publicized marriage to actor Brad Pitt.

Early life

Aniston was born in Sherman Oaks, California to Greek actor John Aniston (originally Ioannis Anastasakis) and his then-wife Nancy Dow, an actress of Scottish and Italian descent. Aniston's godfather is late Greek-American actor Telly Savalas, her father's best friend. She spent much of her childhood in New York, where her father appeared in several soap operas. In 1985, the family moved to Los Angeles, where John Aniston starred on the soap opera Days of our Lives.

In 1987, Aniston attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, and was a member of the drama club. Her desire to become an actress grew as she worked in off-Broadway productions such as For Dear Life and Dancing on Checker's Grave.

Career

Aniston appeared as a "Nutri-System" girl on the The Howard Stern Radio Show in the late 1980s and early 1990s. She moved to Hollywood and was cast in her first television roles in 1990, starring as a regular on the short-lived series Molloy and in the TV movie Camp Cucamonga. She also co-starred in Ferris Bueller, a television adaptation of the 1986 teen movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off, the same year (it barely lasted a season). Aniston then appeared in two more failed sitcoms, The Edge and Muddling Through and guest-starred on shows such as Quantum Leap, Herman's Head, and Burke's Law. After this string of cancelled shows, along with her appearance in the critically-derided horror movie Leprechaun, Aniston seriously considered giving up acting.

Aniston's plans changed, however, when she auditioned for Friends, a new sitcom on NBC's 1994-1995 fall line-up. The producers of the show originally wanted Aniston to audition for the role of Monica Geller, but she persuaded them that she was better suited for the role of Rachel Green. She was cast in the role and played the character from 1994 until the show ended in 2004. The program was very successful and Aniston, along with her co-stars, gained wide renown among television watchers.

Aniston has starred in a handful of theatrical films, including the cult hit Office Space. She gained the most critical acclaim for her role in the low-budget 2002 film, The Good Girl, playing an unglamarous cashier in a small town. In late 2005, Aniston headlined two major studio films, Derailed and Rumor Has It, both of which performed fairly, if unexceptionally, at the box office, grossing a little over $30 million each.

Aniston has completed several upcoming roles, including the romantic comedy The Break Up.

Personal life

Aniston has previously dated musician Adam Duritz and actor Tate Donovan. Her high-profile relationship with actor Brad Pitt was frequently publicized in the media. She married Pitt on July 29, 2000 in a lavish Malibu wedding. They separated on January 7, 2005, and Aniston officially filed for divorce on March 25, 2005. The divorce was made final on October 2, 2005. Aniston is now dating actor Vince Vaughn.

On August 25, 2005, David Hesterbey was arrested for trespassing after allegedly entering Aniston's Malibu home.

In December 2005, Aniston sued paparazzo Peter Brandt for taking photographs of her sunbathing topless in her backyard. She was photographed from more than a mile away.

Selected filmography

Awards

• 1995: Screen Actors Guild Award: Outstanding Ensemble Performance in a Comedy Series, Friends
• 2001: People's Choice Award: Favorite Female Television Performer, Friends
• 2001: Aftonbladet TV Prize, Sweden: Best Foreign TV Personality- Female, Friends
• 2002: Emmy Award: Best Actress in a Comedy Series, Friends
• 2002: People's Choice Award: Favorite Female Television Performer, Friends
• 2002: Hollywood Film Festival: Actress of the Year
• 2002: Teen Choice Award: Choice TV Actress- Comedy, Friends
• 2002: Aftonbladet TV Prize, Sweden: Best Foreign TV Personality- Female, Friends
• 2003: Golden Globe Award: Best Actress in a Comedy Series, Friends
• 2003: People's Choice Award: Favorite Female Television Performer, Friends
• 2003: Teen Choice Award: Choice TV Actress- Comedy, Friends
• 2003: Teen Choice Award: Choice Movie Actress- Drama/Action Adventure, The Good Girl
• 2003: Aftonbladet TV Prize, Sweden: Best Foreign TV Personality- Female, Friends
• 2004: Logie Awards: Most Popular Overseas Star, Friends
• 2004: People's Choice Award: Favorite Female Television Performer, Friends
• 2004: Teen Choice Award: Choice TV Actress- Comedy, Friends
• 2004: Aftonbladet TV Prize, Sweden: Best Foreign TV Personality- Female, Friends