Summary Jennifer Aniston's role as Rachel in Friends defined her career and made her a Hollywood icon, despite her success in movies and other TV shows. Rachel was the main character in Friends and her storylines, especially her relationship with Ross, sparked discussion and influenced the analysis of relationships in other shows and movies. Aniston excelled in romantic comedies during the 2000s, but also proved her talent in dramatic roles, breaking away from her comedic reputation and earning award nominations and acclaim.
Though her Friends role as Rachel isn't Jennifer Aniston's best part, it has come to define her career and is her most iconic turn.
Debuting in 1994, Friends follows the exploits of six young adults who try to navigate life in New York City. Beloved for its irreverent comedy and self-aware spin on the sitcom formula, Friends has gone on to have a life all its own even years after the series concluded its 10-season run. The continued popularity of the show is due in large part to the iconic cast, and stars like Aniston became household names because of the sainted piece of '90s pop culture.
Rachel was Aniston's big break, though she had made her film debut a year earlier, playing Tory in the tongue-in-cheek horror film Leprechaun.
In the role of Rachel, Aniston was given more time to shine, and she was an integral part of many of the best episodes of Friends during its decade on the air. Proving not to be a one-hit wonder, Aniston quickly became a bona fide movie star and shed her TV actor image, which wasn't easy to do in the early-'00s. Despite her massive success elsewhere, Friends has forever come to define who Aniston is as a Hollywood icon.
