Though she has played many different characters throughout her career, Jennifer Aniston will perhaps forever be most closely associated with her iconic portrayal of Rachel Green on the groundbreaking television show Friends, which aired on NBC from 1994 to 2004. Born in Los Angeles in 1969, Aniston grew up in a family deeply rooted in the entertainment industry—her father, John Aniston, and mother, Nancy Dow, were both actors. As she entered her teenage years, Jennifer developed a strong interest in acting, eventually graduating from the prestigious Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and the Performing Arts.
Early in her career, Jennifer Aniston appeared in several television series, including Molloy (Fox, 1990), Ferris Bueller (NBC, 1990–91), The Edge (Fox, 1992–93), and Muddling Through (CBS, 1994). Unfortunately, each of these shows was canceled before reaching a second season, which left Aniston feeling disheartened. Around this time, while at a gas station, she happened to run into Warren Littlefield, who was then the president of entertainment at NBC and someone she knew through her father. She opened up to him about her frustrations, and he took a personal interest in helping her secure a role on a new show that would soon become Friends.
The show quickly became a cultural phenomenon, and with it, Jennifer Aniston rocketed to stardom. Even as Friends dominated the television landscape, she continued to build her film career, appearing in such memorable movies as the romantic comedy Picture Perfect (1997), the cult classic Office Space (1999), and the lighthearted comedy Along Came Polly (2004), starring opposite Ben Stiller.
Following the end of Friends in 2004, Jennifer Aniston remained a major presence in Hollywood. She took on a variety of roles, including in the drama Friends with Money (2006) and the emotional drama Marley and Me (2008). She also found success in more comedic fare, such as the R-rated hits Horrible Bosses (2011), Wanderlust (2012), and We’re the Millers (2013).
In 2014, Jennifer Aniston delivered a powerful and critically praised performance in the film Cake, in which she portrayed a woman struggling with chronic pain. The role marked a departure from her earlier, often lighter roles and showcased her dramatic acting range. Later, she appeared in Office Christmas Party (2016) and the heartwarming drama Dumplin’ (2018), further diversifying her filmography.
More recently, in 2019, Jennifer Aniston returned to television in a dramatic role, starring alongside Steve Carell and Gugu Mbatha-Raw in the Apple TV+ series The Morning Show, a project that further solidified her versatility and staying power in the entertainment world.
So, when it comes to Jennifer Aniston’s film career, there are definitely some highs and lows. If you look at the numbers, Jennifer Aniston’s highest rated movie turns out to be Out of My Mind from 2024—a standout performance that really resonated with both critics and audiences. On the flip side, Jennifer Aniston’s lowest rated film is ‘Til There Was You, which came out all the way back in 1997. It’s interesting to see how her body of work has evolved over the years. Of course, every actor has their hits and misses, but Jennifer Aniston continues to take on roles that challenge her range. Still, if you’re ranking them by critical reception, those two titles mark the top and bottom of Jennifer Aniston’s filmography so far.