On screen, Rachel Green boasts a pretty terrifying set of parents – snobbish, tight-lipped and cold they're everything our Friends favourite could have turned into. But both Jennifer Aniston and her on-screen counterpart are loved for their warmth and humour, which got us wondering: who exactly are the people who raised one of our favourite A-listers?
It turns out both of Jen's parents have a talent for the big screen, though her relationship with each of her parents is strikingly different. Read on to find out more about their careers, rift with Jennifer and where the actress is now.
© Corbis via Getty ImagesJennifer quickly rose to fame through the early to mid '90s
Early career
Jennifer got her start on screen with an uncredited role as 'Bystander' in a 1988 film Mac and Me. Since then, she's been upwards bound, featuring in seven episodes of sitcom Molloy and starring in the TV adaptation of Ferris Bueller.
In 1994, she appeared in 10 episodes of Muddling Through and, of course, made her debut as Rachel in the iconic sitcom Friends that would have us all screaming at our screens that (if you ask me) they weren't on a break.
© NBCUniversal via Getty ImagesJen's Rachel Green changed culture with just her haircut
Sitcom stardom
The spoilt rich-girl turned powerful fashion buyer, style icon and single mother was a fan favourite for a reason on beloved TV sitcom Friends.
Rachel Green defined '90s style and inspired many viewers across the world to head into the local hairdressers for her signature cut – aptly named 'The Rachel'. It's still a comfort watch of choice to this day, thanks in no small part to Jen herself.
© NBCUniversal via Getty ImagesJohn was a well-known face on popular soap 'Days of Our Lives'
Soap star John Aniston
Born in Crete, Greece on 24 July 1933, John Aniston was best known for his role in well-loved soap Days of Our Lives, funnily enough the same show Friends' Joey Tribbiani finds success on. John played the role of crime lord Victor Kiriakis for 37 years, first cast in 1985 and continuing to appear until his death in 2022.
John also starred in Search for Tomorrow from 1979 - 1984 and Journeyman (2007). Off screen, the actor was married twice, wedding Jennifer's mother Nancy in 1965 and divorcing in 1980. He tied the knot with Sherry Rooney in 1984, welcoming child AJ and the couple remained together until his death.
© Online USA via Getty ImagesNancy Aniston's memoir prompted a rift between Jennifer and her mother
Film actress Nancy Dow
Nancy Aniston, née Dow, was born on 22 July 1936. Like her husband and daughter, she found fame on the TV screen in The Beverly Hillbillies (1966) and The Wild Wild West (1967)She also featured in 1969 feature The Ice House.
Jennifer had a complicated relationship with her mother following the release of Nancy's memoir From Mother and Daughter to Friends: A Memoir in 1999. The pair later reconciled and were reportedly on good terms at the time of Nancy's death in 2016. Prior to her marriage to Jen's father John, Nancy was wed to pianist Jack Melick with whom she welcomed son John T. Melick.
© FilmMagic via Getty ImagesJennifer Aniston continues to star on our screens
Where is she now?
Jennifer continues to be a constant presence on screen, with star roles including Claire Bennett in Cake (2014), Rose O'Reilly in We're the Millers (2013) and a 40-episode run on The Morning Show with Reese Witherspoon.
Per her IMDb, Jennifer has several projects rumoured to be in the works, including a TV show adaptation of Jeanette McCurdy's memoir I'm Glad My Mom Died. She's also enjoying life with hypnotist boyfriend Jim Curtis, and we couldn't be happier for her!
