Jennifer Aniston at 57 Looks Better Than Ever, More Than 3 Decades After ‘Friends’ Made Her a Star
Jennifer Aniston has been one of Hollywood’s most enduring stars for over three decades, and at 57, she shows no signs of slowing down. Known worldwide for her role as Rachel Green on Friends, Aniston has built a career that spans television, film, and even business ventures, all while maintaining a reputation as one of the industry’s most beloved figures.
Happy 57th birthday to Jennifer Aniston! pic.twitter.com/jePRYnaviO
— GoldenSeries (@series_golden) February 11, 2026
Aniston began her career in small roles and theater. She acted in off-Broadway productions like For Dear Life and Dancing on Checker’s Grave and supported herself with part-time jobs, including telemarketing, waitressing, and bike messaging. In 1988, she had a tiny uncredited role in the sci-fi movie Mac and Me. The following year, she appeared on The Howard Stern Show as a Nutrisystem spokesmodel and moved back to Los Angeles to pursue her acting career more seriously.
Her early television work was a struggle. She appeared in short-lived shows like Molloy, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off adaptation, The Edge, and Muddling Through, all of which were canceled quickly. She also had small roles in movies such as Leprechaun (1993), a horror film she later admitted embarrassed her. Despite setbacks, she kept going, guest-starring in series like Quantum Leap, Herman’s Head, and Burke’s Law.
Things changed when she auditioned for Friends in 1994. Originally considered for Monica Geller, Aniston was cast as Rachel Green. The show became an immediate hit and made her a household name. Her portrayal of Rachel won her five Primetime Emmy nominations, including two for Supporting Actress and three for Lead Actress, and she won an Emmy for Lead Actress.
She also won a Golden Globe in 2003 for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy. By the end of Friends in 2004, Aniston was one of the highest-paid actresses on television, reportedly earning $1 million per episode in the final season. Her character’s on-screen romance with Ross Geller, played by David Schwimmer, became one of TV’s most iconic love stories.
Following Friends, Aniston shifted her focus to film. She starred in romantic comedies and dramas such as Picture Perfect (1997), The Object of My Affection (1998), Office Space (1999), and voiced a role in The Iron Giant (1999). In the early 2000s, she gained critical praise for The Good Girl (2002), considered by film critic Roger Ebert as her breakthrough, showing her ability to move beyond comedic roles. She also starred in commercially successful films such as Bruce Almighty (2003) and Along Came Polly (2004).
Aniston continued to work steadily through the 2000s and 2010s, appearing in films like The Break-Up (2006), Just Go with It (2011), Horrible Bosses (2011), Wanderlust (2012), and We’re the Millers (2013). She also tried her hand at directing with the short film Room 10 in 2006. Her dramatic work received attention as well, especially in Cake (2014), where critics called her performance “Oscar-worthy,” praising her portrayal of a woman struggling with chronic pain.
Television returned to Aniston’s life with The Morning Show on Apple TV+, her first major TV role since Friends. She produced and starred in the series, winning a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance and earning Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. In 2021, she reunited with the Friends cast for the HBO Max special Friends: The Reunion, earning an Emmy nomination for her producing role.
Outside acting, Aniston has built a strong presence in business and philanthropy. She co-founded the haircare brand Living Proof, launched perfumes under her name, and started the haircare company LolaVie in 2021.
She has endorsed brands like SmartWater, Aveeno, and Emirates Airlines. In philanthropy, she has donated millions to causes including St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Doctors Without Borders, and hurricane relief efforts. She has also been a vocal advocate for women’s rights and body positivity, writing an essay for The Huffington Post in 2016 about the pressures women face regarding beauty and motherhood.
Aniston’s personal life has also been in the spotlight. She married Brad Pitt in 2000, divorced in 2005, and later had a high-profile relationship with Justin Theroux, whom she married in 2015 and separated from in 2017. She does not have children, but has openly discussed her experiences with IVF and challenges with fertility. She practices Buddhism, Hatha yoga, and Budokan karate, and has spoken about how her diagnosis of dyslexia shaped her outlook on life.
Today, Jennifer Aniston continues to be one of Hollywood’s most respected and recognizable stars. She balances acting, producing, philanthropy, and business, while maintaining the charm and relatability that made her “America’s sweetheart” decades ago. She remains an example of longevity in an industry known for fleeting fame, proving that talent, hard work, and authenticity can stand the test of time.
What do you think about Jennifer Aniston’s career journey and her continued success in Hollywood? Share your thoughts in the comments.
