Twenty-five. That’s how old Jennifer Aniston was when Friends began. She’d been waiting tables, delivering packages on a bike (which was in traffic, hit a car door and crashed within two days). And then she was cast as Rachel Green in May 1994, and the rest was history.
I watched the pilot as a kid. This woman in a wedding gown bursts into Central Perk, soaking wet and terrified. Had no idea that the actress was destined to become one of the biggest stars on the planet.
The Cast’s Ages in 1994
When Friends debuted on Sept. 22, 1994, Lisa Kudrow was the oldest at age 31. Courteney Cox was 30. David Schwimmer was 27. Matt LeBlanc was 26. The youngest among them were Jennifer and Matthew Perry, who were 25 and 24.
The characters’ ages mostly matched. Rachel and Monica were 24 when the pilot aired. Ross, Chandler and Phoebe were 26 at the time. In real life, Courteney was older than David, despite her role as his younger sister in the show. Then nobody cared as the chemistry took over.
Also read: Dennis Wise Net worth
Nearly Didn’t Happen
Before Friends, Jennifer had four failed TV shows. She was getting scared it wouldn’t work out. One day, she saw Warren Littlefield (head of NBC) at a petrol station in LA. Walked up and asked him straight if she should keep acting.
A few months later, he cast her in Friends. They initially wanted her for Monica, but Courteney fit the role better. Jennifer became Rachel instead.
She’d also been offered Saturday Night Live. Turned it down for Friends. Best choice she ever made.
The Money Got Ridiculous
Season one paid her £15,000 per episode. That’s £360,000 for the whole season.
By season two, she and David got £40,000 each because the Ross and Rachel romance put them in the spotlight. In season three, the whole cast bargained together for equal pay. Got £75,000 each.
Season four: £85,000. Season five: over £100,000. Season six: £125,000. Seasons seven and eight: £750,000. Final two seasons: £1 million per episode.
That final season salary alone was £24 million. Mental.
Also read: Why the James Spader Marriage Story Isn’t What You’d Expect from Hollywood
Jennifer Aniston Net Worth 2025
She’s worth around £250 million now. Still makes up to £20 million yearly just from Friends reruns. The show ended in 2004, but it keeps paying.
Warner Bros makes £1 billion a year from Friends through streaming and broadcast rights. The main cast each gets 2% of that. Plus, she’s made serious money from films and The Morning Show (£1.25 million per episode).
How Old Was Jennifer Aniston When Friends Ended
The final episode aired May 6th, 2004. Jennifer was 35. She’d spent ten full years playing Rachel, which includes her entire twenties and into her mid-thirties.
How old was Jennifer Aniston in Friends season 10? She turned 35 during that last season. Ten years is an age to play one character.
When Matthew Perry died last year, she posted a lovely tribute about how those times were her favourite moments ever.
The Rachel Haircut
Everyone wanted Rachel’s choppy, layered haircut. Became known as “The Rachel” and hairdressers couldn’t keep up.
Jennifer hated it. Said it was rubbish to maintain and looked different every day, depending on which stylist did it. But it made her a fashion icon anyway.
Her hair changed loads over the seasons. Each time, women everywhere copied it.
After Friends
Jennifer took a 15-year TV break after Friends ended, apart from guest spots. Did films instead; some brilliant (The Good Girl, Cake), some just big commercial hits (Just Go With It, Horrible Bosses).
Came back to telly with The Morning Show in 2019. Playing a news anchor dealing with a scandal at work. Totally different from Rachel. Got an Emmy for it.
Currently filming season four.
Jennifer Aniston Boyfriend Update
Jennifer’s been quite private since divorcing Justin Theroux in 2018. But yesterday, November 3rd, 2025, she went Instagram official with Jennifer Aniston, Jim Curtis.
Jennifer Aniston’s boyfriend, Jim Curtis, is a hypnotherapist and wellness coach. He’s 50, she’s 56. Been dating since the summer of 2025, introduced by mutual friends.
She posted a black and white photo for his birthday with the caption “Happy birthday, my love. Cherished.” First public relationship in years.
Jim (also called Hypnotist Jim) has over half a million Instagram followers. Works in wellness and used to have leadership roles at WebMD. Jennifer had followed his work for a couple of years and read his book on manifestation.
They bonded over rescue dogs. Jim has a senior rescue dog called Odie. Jennifer’s always been massive on animal welfare.
Where She Is Now
At 56, Jennifer’s still one of Hollywood’s most bankable names. Filming The Morning Show season four, doing brand deals with Aveeno, and running her haircare company, LolaVie.
Bought a £15 million farmhouse in Montecito from Oprah in 2022. Neighbours include Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and Ariana Grande.
Jennifer Aniston net worth in 2025 makes her one of the wealthiest actresses globally. Forbes had her on their highest-paid list for 15 years straight.
She started her production company, Echo Films, in 2008. Uses it to produce projects she believes in.
The Friends Legacy
Jennifer Aniston’s age when Friends started was just 25; she was a struggling actress who’d nearly given up. Friends was lightning in a bottle. Right cast, right chemistry, right time.
The show’s 30 years old now. Still gets millions of viewers on streaming. New generations keep finding it.
Jennifer said stepping onto the Friends set felt like magic. The cast became family. They negotiated salaries together, supported each other through everything, and stayed mates after it ended.
When the reunion special aired in 2021, each cast member got £2.5 million just for showing up. Originally offered £1 million but renegotiated as a group. Still doing that equal pay thing.
Why Rachel Worked
Rachel started as a spoiled rich girl who’d never worked. Ran from her wedding, moved in with Monica, and got a job at Central Perk.
Over ten seasons, we watched her grow. She became a fashion executive, had a baby, made mistakes, and learnt. Jennifer played it with perfect comedy and heart.
The “We were on a break!” storyline with Ross became one of TV’s most famous relationship dramas. People still argue about it. (Rachel was right.)
Jennifer made Rachel feel real. Not just a sitcom character but someone you’d actually know. That approachability mixed with Hollywood glamour made her special.
The Numbers
Friends had 236 episodes over ten seasons. Jennifer appeared in every single one.
The season 10 finale pulled 52.5 million viewers in America alone. These days, 10 million viewers is considered massive. Friends was something else.
The cast still earns money every time an episode airs anywhere. Syndication deals, streaming rights, international broadcasts – it all adds up.
Also read: Millie Bobby Brown Accused David Harbour of Harassment Before Filming Final Stranger Things Season
Looking Back
Twenty-five years old, struggling, worried she’d never make it. Ten years later: 35, wealthy, and one of the most famous faces on Earth.
She’s 56 now. Still working, still relevant, just went Instagram official with a new bloke. Living in a Montecito mansion. Running multiple businesses. Acting in hit shows.
Not bad for someone who almost quit Hollywood before Friends. Warren Littlefield at that petrol station changed her life. Or maybe she changed it herself by having the courage to ask for reassurance.
We got Rachel Green. We got “The Rachel” haircut. We got one of the most successful sitcom runs ever. Jennifer became who she was meant to be.
Twenty-five seems young to start something that huge. But maybe that’s perfect; old enough to handle it, young enough to enjoy every mad minute.
