Jennifer Aniston Then and Now: 'Friends' star's transformation through the years
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Entering her fabulous 50s, Jennifer Aniston stands as a rare 90s celebrity who has not only achieved but also sustained superstar status for over two remarkable decades.
Whether it was her years sporting the iconic 'The Rachel' haircut or sporting a more contemporary look in 'Murder Mystery 2', the actress has pulled off a wide variety of styles over the years, effortlessly.
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Jennifer Aniston’s first big film role was in the 1993 film 'Leprechaun'
Jennifer Aniston’s first substantial film role was in the 1993 horror-comedy 'Leprechaun.' It marked the early days of her successful career in the entertainment industry.
However, even before her first major movie break, Jennifer Aniston, the daughter of actors John Aniston and Nancy Dow, had steadily accumulated acting credits to her name from a young age.
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She made her initial foray into acting with an uncredited role in the 1988 film ‘Mac and Me’. Yup, the same film that Paul Rudd has used a clip from to prank talk show host Conan O'Brien since 2004.
Jennifer Aniston’s big break in 1994 on 'Friends'
Jennifer Aniston's breakthrough came in 1994 when she assumed the role of Rachel Green on the iconic NBC sitcom featuring six friends navigating life in New York City while sipping coffee.
The role propelled Aniston to stardom from 1994 till 2004 when the show ended.
‘The Rachel’, named after the layered haircut her character sported in the '90s, became a highly coveted style, although ironically, Aniston herself didn't share the same enthusiasm for it.
Even today, fans continue to visit her hairstylist, Chris McMillan, requesting 'The Rachel' because Jennifer Aniston remains an enduring and timeless beauty icon.
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"I love [hairstylist] Chris [McMillan] and he’s the bane of my existence at the same time because he started that damn Rachel, which was not my best look," she told Allure magazine in 2011.
Aniston returned to the big screen from 1996 to 1999
From 1996 to 1999, Jennifer Aniston made a comeback to the world of film and was also the subject of many dating rumors.
She joined the ensemble cast of the romantic comedy ‘She's the One’ in 1996. Her first leading role in a film came with ‘Picture Perfect’ in 1997, in which she portrayed a struggling young advertising executive alongside Kevin Bacon and Jay Mohr.
In 1999, Jennifer Aniston's personal life became a major topic of conversation when she and her then-boyfriend Brad Pitt made their debut on the red carpet at the 51st annual Primetime Emmy Awards.
Their appearance together garnered significant attention and speculation from the media and the public.
Jennifer Aniston marries Brad Pitt in 2000
Jennifer Aniston's relationship with Brad Pitt began during her tenure on the television series 'Friends.'
The two started dating, and their romance blossomed, leading to an engagement and a lavish wedding ceremony on July 29, 2000, held at a rented mansion in Malibu.
However, despite the initial optimism, their union eventually encountered difficulties, and they made the difficult decision to separate in January 2005, marking the end of their high-profile marriage.
From Jennifer Aniston’s 2002 Emmy win to 2012 entry in Hollywood Walk of Fame
Aniston’s career and personal life was sky-rocketing from 2002 till 2012.
She won her first Emmy in 2002 for "lead actress in a comedy series" for her performance on 'Friends'.
This was after receiving two consecutive nominations in the supporting actress category.
In 2003, Jennifer Aniston starred alongside Jim Carrey in 'Bruce Almighty,' a film that would go on to become her most significant commercial success in the world of cinema.
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Following an impressive run of 10 seasons and a whopping 62 Emmy nominations, the beloved TV series 'Friends' aired its final episode on May 6, 2004, marking the end of an era.
On January 7, 2005, Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt announced their separation amid swirling rumors of Brad's involvement with his 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' co-star Angelina Jolie. Their divorce was finalized in October of the same year.
In 2006, Aniston crossed paths with Vince Vaughn while filming 'The Break-Up,' and the two embarked on a brief romantic relationship.
Jennifer Aniston's romantic life also saw her romantically linked to her 'The Bounty Hunter' co-star Gerard Butler in 2010.
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On February 22, 2012, she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with notable figures like Adam Sandler, Malin Ackerman, and Kathryn Hahn speaking during the ceremony.
Following over a year of dating her 'Wanderlust' co-star Justin Theroux, the couple got engaged in August 2012.
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Their wedding in August 2015 saw the likes of Lisa Kudrow, Chelsea Handler, and Howard Stern among the guests in attendance, marking a joyous chapter in her personal life.
Jennifer Aniston's divorce in 2018 - present
Two and a half years after their engagement, Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux announced their mutual decision to divorce in a joint statement.
Despite parting ways as a couple, they maintained a close friendship and continued to celebrate multiple holidays together.
In November 2019, Aniston and Reese Witherspoon co-starred in and executive-produced the first original series for Apple TV+ titled 'The Morning Show' .
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Jennifer Aniston's performance in 'The Morning Show' earned her a second Screen Actors Guild Award in January 2020.
Aniston came together, virtually, with former spouse Brad Pitt and other celebs for a table read of 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High' in September 2020, raising funds for two different charities.
In a November 2022 interview with Allure, the actress opened up about her past attempts to have a child, revealing her journey through IVF and various remedies in her pursuit of parenthood.
Currently, as of 2023, Us Weekly reports, Jennifer Aniston is preparing for the third season of her successful AppleTV+ series, 'The Morning Show,' where she not only stars but also serves as an executive producer.