Jennifer Aniston

Infobox actor
name = Jennifer Aniston


imagecapt = Jennifer Aniston
imagesize =
birthname = Jennifer Joanna Aniston [ [http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0508/22/sbt.01.html CNN.com - Transcripts ] ] Silverman, Stephen M. [http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1042412,00.html Jennifer Files for Divorce from Brad] , "People", March 25, 2005. Accessed July 15, 2008.]
birthdate = birth date and age|mf=yes|1969|2|11
birthplace = Sherman Oaks, California, United States
Occupation = Actress, Director
yearsactive = 1989-present
spouse = Brad Pitt (2000-2005)
John Mayer (2008- )
emmyawards = Outstanding Lead Actress - Comedy Series
2002 "Friends"
goldenglobeawards = Best Actress - Musical or Comedy Series
2003 "Friends"
sagawards = Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
1996 "Friends"

Jennifer Joanna Aniston (born February 11, 1969) is an American film and television actress. She became famous from the mid 1990s to the early 2000s for playing the role of Rachel Green in the popular US sitcom "Friends", a role for which she won both an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award.

She has starred in several Hollywood films, often alongside a member of the Frat Pack. While most of her film roles have been in comedies such as "Bruce Almighty", "Office Space", "Rumor Has It", and the romantic comedies "Along Came Polly" and "The Break-Up", she has also appeared in films from other genres, such as the crime thriller "Derailed".

Aniston's marriage to actor Brad Pitt and their subsequent divorce received widespread media coverage.

Early life

Jennifer Aniston was born on February 11, 1969 in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, California, and grew up in New York City.cite web|url=http://www.hellomagazine.com/profiles/jenniferaniston/|title=Hello Magazine Profile - Jennifer Aniston|accessdate=2008-08-08|work=Hello Magazine] She is the daughter of the actor John Aniston and actress Nancy Dow. Aniston's father is a Greek American, born Yannis Anastassakis, on the island of Crete, Greece, while her mother was born in New York City of English and Scottish descent. Aniston has two half-brothers, John Melick (older) and Alex Aniston (younger). Aniston's godfather was the actor Telly Savalas, her father's best friend. She lived in Greece for one year as a child with her family, and they later relocated to New York City. Her father has appeared in the soap operas "Days of Our Lives", "Love of Life" and "Search for Tomorrow". Aniston attended the New York Rudolf Steiner School [cite web|first=Cal|last=Fussman|url=http://www.esquire.com/women/women-we-love/ESQ1002-OCT_ANISTON|title=A Woman We Love: Jennifer Aniston|accessdate=2008-08-08|date=2002-10-01|work=Esquire] and graduated from Manhattan's Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. She worked in Off Broadway productions such as "For Dear Life" and "Dancing on Checker's Grave". During this time, she supported herself with several part-time jobs, including working as a telemarketer and bike messenger. In 1989, she moved to Los Angeles, California. [cite web|url=http://www.tiscali.co.uk/entertainment/film/biographies/jennifer_aniston_biog/4|title=Biography of Jennifer Aniston|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=Tiscali]

Career

Aniston moved to Hollywood and was cast in her first television role in 1990, starring as a regular on the short-lived series "Molloy" and in the TV movie "Camp Cucamonga".cite web|url=http://www.hellomagazine.com/profiles/jenniferaniston/?view=jobs|title=Hello Magazine Filmography - Jennifer Aniston|accessdate=2008-08-08|work=Hello Magazine] She also co-starred in "Ferris Bueller", a television adaptation of the 1986 hit movie "Ferris Bueller's Day Off". The series, however, was quickly canceled. Aniston then appeared in two more failed television comedy shows, "The Edge" and "Muddling Through", and guest-starred on "Quantum Leap", "Herman's Head", and "Burke's Law". After the string of canceled shows, along with her appearance in the critically derided 1992 horror film, "Leprechaun", [cite web|url=http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9F0CE6DB163AF93AA35752C0A965958260|title=Leprechaun Review|last=Canby|first=Vincent |date=1993-01-09|work=New York Times|accessdate=2008-08-08] Aniston considered giving up acting. Aniston's plans changed, however, after auditioning for "Friends", a sitcom that was set to debut on NBC's 1994–1995 fall line-up.cite episode |title=E! True Hollywood Story: Friends |episodelink= |series=E! True Hollywood Story |serieslink= |credits= |network= E! |station= |airdate=2006-11-19 |season=10 |seriesno= |number=15 |minutes= ] 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. [cite episode|title=The Pilot|episodelink=|series=Friends|serieslink=|credits=Marta Kauffman, David Crane, and Kevin S. Bright|network=NBC|station=|airdate=1994-09-22|season=1|seriesno=|number=1|minutes=30] [cite episode|title=The Last One|episodelink=|series=Friends|serieslink=|credits=|network=NBC|station|airdate=2004-05-06|season=10|seriesno=|number=17 and 18|minutes=]

The program was successful and Aniston, along with her co-stars, gained wide renown among television viewers. Her hairstyle at the time, which became known as the "Rachel", was widely copied. Aniston received a salary of one million dollars per episode for the last two seasons of "Friends", as well as five Emmy nominations (two for Supporting Actress, three for Lead Actress), [cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/Sections/Awards/Emmy_Awards/2000|title=IMDB: Emmy Awards 2000|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=IMDB.com] [cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/Sections/Awards/Emmy_Awards/2001|title=IMDB: Emmy Awards 2001|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=IMDB.com] [cite web|url=http://www.emmyawardsonline.com/2003-emmy-nominations/2003-emmy-nominations-comedy.html|title=2003 Emmy Award Comedy Nominations|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=Emmy Awards Online] [cite web|url=http://www.emmyawardsonline.com/2004-emmy-nominations/2004-emmy-nominations-comedy.html|title=2004 Emmy Award Comedy Nominations|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=Emmy Awards Online] including a win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. [cite web|first=Stephen M.|last=Silverman|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,26334,624767,00.html|title=Emmy Awards Make New Best 'Friends'|accessdate=2008-08-08|date=2002-09-22|work=People] According to the "Guinness World Book of Records" (2005), Aniston (along with her female costars) became the highest paid TV actress of all time with her $1 million-per-episode paycheck for the tenth season of "Friends". [cite book|title=Guinness World Records 2005: Special 50th Anniversary Edition|publisher=Guinness|date=2004-08-23|pages=288|isbn=1892051222|accessdate=2008-08-08]

In 1994, Microsoft invited Aniston, along with "Friends" co-star Matthew Perry, to shoot a 30-minute promotional advertisement for their new operating system, Windows 95. [cite web|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE7D6143FF932A05754C0A963958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all|title=The Media Business: Advertising; Haven't heard of Windows 95? Where have you been hiding?|last=Elliott|first=Stuart|date=1995-07-31|work=New York Times|accessdate=2008-08-08] She gained critical acclaim for her performances in "The Object of My Affection" (1998), a comedy drama about a girl who falls for a gay man, [cite web|first=Janet|last=Maslin|url=http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9C06E6D8143CF934A25757C0A96E958260|title=The Object of My Affection Review|accessdate=2008-08-08|date=1998-04-17|work=New York Times] and in the low-budget 2002 film, "The Good Girl", directed by Miguel Arteta, playing an unglamorous cashier in a small town. The latter film opened in relatively few theaters—under 700 in total—taking $14M in the U.S. box office. [cite web|first=Lisa|last=Schwarzbaum|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,334811,00.html|title=The Good Girl Review|accessdate=2008-08-08|date=2002-08-07|work=Entertainment Weekly] In late 2005, Aniston appeared in two major studio films, "Derailed" and "Rumor Has It". [cite web|first=Justin|last=Chang|url=http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117928779.html?categoryid=31&cs=1|title=Derailed Review|accessdate=2008-08-08|date=2005-11-05|work=Variety] [cite web|first=Roger|last=Ebert|url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051222/REVIEWS/51220003/1023|title=Rumor Has It Review|accessdate=2008-08-08|date=2005-12-23|publisher=Roger Ebert.com|work=Chicago Sun-Times]

In addition to her career as a TV actress, Aniston has enjoyed a successful film career. Her biggest box office success to date was her appearance in 2003's "Bruce Almighty", in which she played the girlfriend of title character Jim Carrey. [cite web|first=Robert|last=Koehler|url=http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117920862.html?categoryid=31&cs=1|title=Bruce Almighty Review|accessdate=2008-08-08|date=2003-05-23|work=Variety] Aniston then starred in the 2004 film, "Along Came Polly" opposite Ben Stiller. [cite web|first=Stella|last=Papamichael|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2004/02/10/along_came_polly_2004_review.shtml|title=BBC Films - Along Came Polly Review|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=BBC] In 2006, Aniston appeared in the low-budget drama, "Friends with Money", which was first shown at the Sundance Film Festival, received a limited release. [cite web|first=Peter|last=Travers|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/movie/7539506/review/9579226/friends_with_money|title=Friends With Money Review|accessdate=2008-08-08|date=2006-04-04|work=Rolling Stone] Aniston's next film, "The Break-Up", which was released on June 2, grossed approximately $39.17 million during its opening weekend, despite lukewarm reviews.cite web | title=Box Office Mojo| work=The Break-Up's opening weekend gross | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=breakup.htm | accessmonthday=June 16 | accessyear=2006]

In 2007, Aniston guest starred in an episode of Courteney Cox Arquette's series "Dirt". Aniston played Arquette's snobby rival Tina Harrod. [cite web | title=TVSquad.com | work=Jennifer Aniston to guest star on Dirt | url=http://www.tvsquad.com/2007/01/16/jennifer-aniston-to-guest-star-on-dirt/ | accessmonthday=March 2 | accessyear=2007] In addition to acting, Aniston has also directed a hospital emergency room-set short film named "Room 10", starring Robin Wright Penn and Kris Kristofferson; [cite web|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/10/17/entertainment/main2099141.shtml|title=And She Directs Too, Jennifer Aniton Marks Directing Debut With Short Film For Glamour Reel Moments|accessdate=2008-08-08|date=2006-10-17|publisher=CBS News] Aniston has noted that she was inspired to direct by actress Gwyneth Paltrow, who directed a short film in 2006. [cite web|first=Jonathan|last=Van Meter|url=http://www.style.com/vogue/feature/032006/page2.html|title=Jennifer Aniston: A Profile in Courage|accessdate=2008-08-08|date=March 2006|publisher=Style.com]

"Forbes" listed Aniston as the 10th richest woman in the entertainment industry for the year 2007. She is behind such powerhouses as Oprah Winfrey, J. K. Rowling, Madonna, Celine Dion and Jennifer Lopez and is ahead of Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and the Olsen twins. Aniston's net worth is approximately $110 million. [cite web | title=Forbes.com | work=In Pictures: The Richest 20 Women In Entertainment | url=http://www.forbes.com/2007/01/17/richest-women-entertainment-tech-media-cz_lg_richwomen07_0118womenstars_slide_11.html | accessmonthday=March 2 | accessyear=2007] Aniston was also included in the annual Star Salary Top 10 of trade magazine "The Hollywood Reporter" for 2006. [cite web | title=Hollywood.com | work=Nicole Kidman Tops Hollywood Earners List at Hollywood.com | url=http://www.hollywood.com/news/Kidman_Tops_Hollywood_Earners_List/3591650 | accessmonthday=March 2 | accessyear=2007] According to Forbes in October 2007, Aniston was the top-selling celebrity face of the entertainment industry. [cite web|url=http://www.forbes.com/home/media/2007/10/02/celebrity-magazines-publishing-biz-media_cx_lr_1002coverstars.html|title=Fab Tab Cover Stars|accessdate=2008-08-08|date=2007-10-02|work=Forbes] In 2008, Aniston landed the seventeenth spot on "Forbes" Celebrity 100 list based on "earnings and fame." [cite news|url=http://www.celebuzz.com/forbes-celebrity-100-big-o-s22781/|title=Forbes Celebrity 100 Has a Big 'O'|publisher="Celebuzz.com"|date=2008-06-12] "Forbes" listed Aniston's earnings as $27 million. [cite news|url=http://www.forbes.com/home/2008/06/11/most-powerful-celebrities-lists-celebrities08-cx_mn_0611c_land.html|title=The Celebrity 100|publisher="Forbes"|date=2008-06-12] In August 2008 she had dinner in a Beverly Hills' restaurant with Woody Allen and his wife: he's in fact interested on her for a romantic film that'll be released in autumn 2009.

Jennifer Aniston will be appearing in the third episode of season 3 of NBC's "30 Rock". [cite news|first=Frazier|last=Moore|date=2008-08-29|url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080829/ap_en_tv/tv_aniston30_rock|title=Jennifer Aniston will make a return visit to NBC|publisher=The Associated Press|accessdate=2008-09-07]

Personal life

Aniston has previously dated musician Adam Duritz,cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/jennifer_aniston/biography|title=Jennifer Aniston Biography|accessdate=2008-05-21|work=People] and was engaged to actor Tate Donovan. [cite web|url=http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800022279/bio|title=Tate Donovan Biography|accessdate=2008-05-21|publisher=Yahoo!] Her high-profile relationship with actor Brad Pitt was frequently publicized in the press. [cite web|url=http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800021397/bio|title=Jennifer Aniston Biography|accessdate=2008-05-21|publisher=Yahoo!] She married Pitt on July 29, 2000, in a lavish Malibu wedding. [cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/brad_pitt/biography/0,,20004328_10,00.html|title=Brad Pitt Biography|accessdate=2008-05-21|work=People] For years their marriage was considered the rare Hollywood success. However, when Pitt showed up to the "Ocean's Twelve" premiere without Aniston, rumors that their relationship was on the rocks began. [cite web|first=Donna|last=Freydkin|url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2005-01-09-pitt-aniston-coverage_x.htm|title=Start the presses! Aniston and Pitt split|accessdate=2008-05-21|date=2005-01-09|work=USA Today] In early January 2005, the couple was seen vacationing in the Caribbean with her "Friends" co-star Courteney Cox and her husband, actor David Arquette, [cite web|url=http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Story?id=399328&page=1|title='People' reveals details behind Pitt, Aniston breakup|accessdate=2008-05-21|date=2005-01-10|publisher=ABC News] and photos on the beach showed them kissing and affectionate. On January 7, 2005 they announced their separation. [cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,26334,1015778,00.html|title=Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt Separate|accessdate=2008-08-08|date=2005-01-07|work=People]

Rumors that Pitt had fallen for actress Angelina Jolie began when they were shooting the film "Mr. and Mrs. Smith". Jolie and Pitt both denied any claims of adultery, with Jolie declaring in an interview in 2005, "To be intimate with a married man, when my own father cheated on my mother, is not something I could forgive. I could not look at myself in the morning if I did that. I wouldn't be attracted to a man who would cheat on his wife." [cite web|authors=Julian Kesner and Michelle Megna|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20060207100110/http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/387860p-329048c.html|title=Angelina, saint vs. sinner|accessdate=2008-05-21|date=2006-02-07|work=New York Daily] Pitt and Aniston were seen together publicly after announcing their separation, even at a dinner party for Aniston's thirty-sixth birthday in February, and friends of the couple had declared they were reconciling. [cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1017187_1028733,00.html|title=Brad & Jen Reunite for Her Birthday|accessdate=2008-05-21|date=2005-02-17|work=People] Aniston, however, filed for divorce on March 25, 2005. A divorce was finalized on October 2, 2005. [cite web|first=Serena|last=Kappes|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1112350,00.html|title=Brad & Jen Finalize Divorce|accessdate=2008-05-21|date=2005-09-30|work=People]

Media reports speculated that the split was due to Aniston's refusal to have children; t-shirts were sold after their separation with the phrase "I'll Have Your Baby, Brad!". Aniston denied that this was the cause of their split in an August 2005 "Vanity Fair" interview, stating, "I've never in my life said I didn't want to have children... I've always wanted to have children, and I would never give up that experience for a career." Aniston also revealed that her divorce prompted her to reach out to her mother, from whom she was estranged for nearly a decade. They initially became estranged when Nancy talked about her daughter on a television show and later wrote a book titled "From Mother and Daughter to Friends: A Memoir" (1999). [cite web|url=http://www.vanityfair.com/fame/features/2005/09/aniston200509|title=The Unsinkable Jennifer Aniston|accessdate=2008-08-08|date=September 2005|work=Vanity Fair] [cite news | first=Charles | last=Laurence |title=Not even friends... | date=2006-12-15 | publisher="Los Angeles National Post" | url =http://www.fact.on.ca/news/news0001/np00010b.htm]

She has also stated that she was devastated by the death of her longtime therapist, whose work helped to make the separation from Pitt easier.cite web | title=Vogue | work=Vogue interview | url=http://www.style.com/vogue/feature/032006/page2.html | accessmonthday=June 14 | accessyear=2006] Aniston has said that her relationship with Pitt, which she does not regret, was "seven very intense years together" and that "it was a beautiful, complicated relationship."cite web | title=Daily Times | work=Aniston just wants to make Friends with Pitt | url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006