It's been seventeen years since Friends ended, but Jennifer Aniston remains synonymous with Rachel Green. As her most famous character, Jennifer encapsulated the charming and relatable girl next door archetype, which continues to serve as the basis for many a sitcom and romcom to this day. But unlike countless other sitcom actors (her own Friends co-stars included), Jennifer managed to break away from her TV persona and embark on a highly lucrative and successful movie career.
The key to her unique success lies in the astute career moves she made prior to landing her iconic sitcom role. Subsequently, a series of wise decisions led to Jennifer becoming one of the most beloved actresses of all time. Here are 10 key career moves she made before Friends.
10 Starting Out As A Waitress
Just like Rachel Green, Jennifer started out as a waitress. Many actors begin their careers in the hospitality industry and go on to experience monumental success. Perhaps working in menial jobs gives actors the drive and determination needed to succeed in Hollywood.
For Jennifer, it paid off and she was able to apply her worldly experience to her acting roles: the immense sympathy she generates on screen undoubtedly has its origins in her tough start, which helped develop her girl next door persona.
9 Raising Her Profile On Howard Stern
In 1989, then then 20-year-old aspiring actress featured on Howard Stern as a spokesperson for weight loss brand Nutrisystem. In the appearance, Jennifer waxes lyrically about the benefits of the brand's diet plan, which leads Stern to (unsurprisingly) make some crude remarks about her body. When he comments on her breasts being full, Jennifer jokingly retorts, "No they're not - I've lost them completely!"
Her stint on Howard Stern's show not only gave her some much needed exposure, but highlighted her self-deprecating comedic talents. Moreover, she made a lifelong friend in Stern, who was at the height of his fame.
8 The Importance Of Creative Parents
When Jennifer was a kid, her dad, John Aniston, had already established himself as a soap opera mainstay with his role on Days of Our Lives. Meanwhile, her mom, Nancy Dow, had acted in '60s shows such as The Beverly Hillbillies and The Wild Wild West.
In 1990, the then unknown actress was interviewed alongside her father. "I got into performing arts so that started it I guess", the 21-year-old said, "As you get older, you start realizing 'I can make a living doing this'", adding that watching her father act on TV encouraged her to pursue that same career path. Her father praised her, stating that "the comic instinct that she has is unerring. That's her greatest asset." That praise remains true to this day.
7 Rejecting A Role On 'SNL'
In the early '90s, Jennifer was offered a role SNL after the show's creator, Lorne Michaels, noticed how naturally funny she is. But she opted to turn it down. "I didn't think I'd like that environment", she explained to Howard Stern, "I think that women need to be treated better here... cause it was such a boys' club."
Rejecting the role was almost certainly for the best, as the hefty SNL workload would likely make working on Friends impossible. Though we can't help but wonder who would have been cast as Rachel Green had Jennifer accepted Lorne Michaels' offer...
6 Stepping Into The TV Realms
In 1990, Jennifer made her first ever TV appearance with a role on Malloy, which revolves around the trials and tribulations of a preteen girl after her father remarries. The title character was played by Big Bang Theory star Mayim Bialik, with Jennifer starring as her bratty stepsister.
Although the show was short lived, it was the perfect showcase for Jennifer, who delights as the vain and self-absorbed teen.
5 Landing Her First Major Sitcom Role
Long before Friends, Jennifer appeared in sitcom Ferris Buller, an adaptation of the hugely popular movie. Taking over the role from Jennifer Grey, she played Jeannie, Ferris' sister.
Although the show was a disaster, it catapulted Jennifer into the sitcom world and her charm and comedy timing are palpable, despite the poor writing.
4 Launching A Movie Career
Jennifer's first major movie role was in absurd 1993 horror flick Leprechaun. Although the movie was widely panned and holds a rating of just 4.8 on IMDB, it nevertheless proved to be a pivotal moment in the up and coming actress's career.
One of the most important career moves that Jennifer made was not confining herself to TV. This would pay off significantly in terms of her future acting path: she is one of the few sitcom stars who has had a consistently successful movie career, so we applaud Jennifer for making this wise decision early on.
3 Making A Guest Appearance On A Popular Sitcom
In the early '90s, Herman's Head was a popular sitcom that ran for 3 seasons. Jennifer appeared on the show as the sardonic sister of the title character. One of the most important aspects of Jennifer's role is the fact that her character epitomises quintessential '90s chic, which would later be fundamental to her fashionista character Rachel Green.
Moreover, Herman's Head helped her make some A-list connections. The show stars Hank Azaria, who would go on to team up with Jennifer both in Friends (playing Phoebe's love interest) and in box office hit Along Came Polly.
2 Refining Her Comedic Skills
Just two weeks before she secured her role on Friends, Jennifer was working at the Laugh Factory. According to her pal Dane Cook, the actress even asked the Laugh Factory if they would secure her job in case the Friends pilot didn't work out.
Of course, we now know that there was never any need to return to her old job. But working at the Laugh Factory mere weeks before embarking on her glittering sitcom career certainly helped Jennifer refine her comedic skills in preparation for the role.
1 She Says This Is The Key To Her Success
Having made a series of wise career moves before landing her most iconic role, there is still one other key element to Jennifer Aniston's success.
When interviewed by her friend Sandra Bullock, Jennifer explained, "I think that's a real key to success in life, to not worry about the landing, but enjoy the experience."