The TV sweetheart with a promising film career was born Feb. 11, 1969, in Sherman Oaks, Calif., to a performing family of Greek heritage. She grew up in New York City, graduated from New York's High School of the Performing Arts in 1987 and acted in off-Broadway plays.

Aniston had regular roles in four failed series -- "Molloy," "The Edge," "Ferris Bueller" and "Herman's Head" -- and made her film bow in the horror opus Leprechaun. Then came the audition for a pilot called "Friends Like These." Aniston was sought for the part of Monica but instead read for and was cast as Rachel. The rest is TV history.

Aniston's major film roles began during the 10-year run of "Friends," starting with She's the One (1996). Picture Perfect marked her first starring role and was soon followed by The Object of My Affection, Office Space, Rock Star, The Good Girl, Bruce Almighty and Along Came Polly. ... - from Netflix