Even 16 years after its finale, Friends remains one of the most beloved TV shows of all time. The adventures of six friends living in Manhattan, facing life’s ups and downs together, became an emblem of true friendship, captivating millions around the world.

Jennifer Aniston brought to life the character of Rachel Green, a young woman who left her fiancé at the altar and joined the group, changing the dynamic of the show. This role marked a significant breakthrough for Aniston, who eventually earned $1 million per episode by the show’s end. However, she later told Empire Magazine that the role of Rachel was both a blessing and a challenge, as it took years for her to be seen as more than just “Rachel from Friends.”

Today, Aniston, now 51, continues to be as captivating as ever. Since Friends, she has gone on to star in numerous films and projects, becoming one of Hollywood’s highest-paid actresses. Her immense talent and down-to-earth nature have earned her the title of “America’s sweetheart” and cemented her place as one of the most beloved figures in entertainment.

As the daughter of renowned actor John Aniston, best known for his role as Victor Kiriakis on Days of Our Lives, one might assume she had an easy path to fame. However, Aniston’s journey was filled with hard work. She faced numerous challenges, including six failed TV shows, and worked as a waitress and telemarketer in New York, where she struggled to make ends meet. “I was terrible at telemarketing,» she shared with Harper’s Bazaar, adding, “I couldn’t make a single sale.”

Then, Friends came along and changed everything. Reflecting on that time, Aniston recalled, “I’d been on about seven hundred failed shows before Friends, so there was no reason to think it would be different.” Right before the show aired, director James Burrows, whom she calls «Papa,» took the cast to Las Vegas for dinner and told them, “You don’t know what you’re about to embark on. You better take care of each other.”