Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Joanne Aniston (born February 11, 1969 in Sherman Oaks, California, USA) is an American-born actress of Greek, Scottish, English and Italian descent, perhaps best-known for playing Rachel Green on the television sitcom Friends, and her much-publisized marriage to Brad Pitt.

Personal Life

Aniston is the daughter of John Aniston (originally Yannis Anastasakis) and his wife Nancy Dow. Her father, who was born in Greece (he Americanized his last name to "Aniston" before Jennifer's birth), is an actor best known for his role on the soap opera Days of Our Lives. Jennifer Aniston's godfather is actor Telly Savalas, John Aniston's best friend. Jennifer Aniston spent much of her childhood in New York, where her father won a role in the soap opera Love of Life and later Search for Tomorrow. In 1985, the family moved to Los Angeles when John Aniston started on Days of Our Lives. Aniston's mother, from whom she is now estranged, is an actress of half Scottish, as well as English and Italian descent; through her, Jennifer is a direct descendant of the royal House of Stuart of Scotland.

Aniston previously dated Adam Duritz and Tate Donovan in low-profile relationships. Her pairing with actor Brad Pitt was very high-profile in the media. She married Pitt on July 29, 2000, in a Malibu wedding. They separated on January 7, 2005, and Aniston officially filed for divorce on March 25, 2005.

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

In November 2005, Aniston was named GQ Magazine's Woman of the Year.

She is currently dating actor Vince Vaughn.

Acting Career

Aniston on the cover of Rolling Stone
Aniston as "Woman of the Year", on the cover of GQ MagazineAttending Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts during 1987, Aniston 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. She moved to Hollywood and appeared 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 the short-lived Ferris Bueller the same year, a television adaptation of the 1986 teen movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off (it barely lasted a season). Aniston then starred in two more failed sitcoms, The Edge and Muddling Through and guest-starring on shows such as Quantum Leap, Herman's Head, and Burke's Law. After this string of flops, especially her appearance in the critically-derided horror movie Leprechaun, Aniston seriously considered giving up acting, until a script for a new sitcom on NBC's 1994-1995 fall line-up came her way.

In 1994, the producers of the new NBC show called Friends originally wanted Aniston to audition for the role of Monica Geller, but she persuaded them that the role of Rachel Green was more suited to her character. She played the character until the show ended in 2004.

TV Work

Camp Cucamonga (1990)
Molloy (1990) (cancelled after a few weeks)
Ferris Bueller (1990-1991)
The Edge (1992-1993)
Sunday Funnies (1993)
Muddling Through (1994) (canceled after a few episodes)
South Park (1999) (as a special guest)
Friends (1994-2004)

Filmography

Jennifer Aniston in Rock StarLeprechaun (1993)
Dream of an Insomniac (1996)
She's the One (1996)
Picture Perfect (1996)
'Til There Was You (1997)
Waiting for Woody (1998) (short subject)
The Object of My Affection (1998)
Office Space (1999)
The Iron Giant (1999) (voice)
Rock Star (2001)
The Good Girl (2002)
Bruce Almighty (2003)
Abby Singer (2003) (Cameo)
Along Came Polly (2004)
Rumor Has It (2005)
Derailed (2005)
Friends with Money (2006) (currently in post-production)
The Break Up (2006) (currently filming)
Running with Scissors (2006) (currently filming) (also producer)
Diary (2006) (currently announced start of production)
The Senator's Wife (2006) (currently announced start of production) (also producer)
Wanted (2007) (currently announced start of production)

Awards

1995: Screen Actors Guild Award: Outstanding Ensemble Performance in a Comedy Series, Friends
2002: Emmy Award: Best Actress in a Comedy Series, Friends
2003: Golden Globe Award: Best Actress in a Comedy Series, Friends