Jennifer Aniston, the actress known for her role on Friends, opened up about her difficult early years in New York City during a recent interview on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast. Reflecting on her upbringing in Manhattan, Aniston described the harsh realities of living in a challenging neighborhood long before her rise to fame. She recalled,
“We lived in this building on 92nd and Columbus,”
highlighting the rough conditions around her childhood home.
She further described the area, stating,
“But the block between Columbus and Amsterdam and then Amsterdam Broadway, that was all abandoned buildings.”
Despite such an environment, the young Aniston often navigated the city alone, sharing,
“I was on a bus by myself at 11,”
and explained,
“Can you imagine? Just by yourself, throw your key in your sneaker and ‘see ya mom.’”
Living with Danger: Aniston’s Early Encounters with Crime
Jennifer Aniston recounted the dangers she faced growing up, including one particularly alarming experience near her neighborhood. During her childhood, she sometimes had to avoid certain areas because of violent threats. She revealed,
“There was a sniper in one of the abandoned buildings,”
a reality that, shockingly, she described as “just normal at the time.”
Despite these threats, Aniston did not allow fear to dominate her life. She shared openly,
“As I got older I was mugged,”
admitting to having been robbed multiple times. However, she added,
“But I didn’t feel fear. I still walked home at midnight on my own,”
demonstrating the resilience she developed through her difficult experiences.
How Early Life Experiences Influenced Her Views
Aniston’s reflections on her childhood also extend to the family dynamics that shaped her perception of relationships and security. She has often discussed the impact of witnessing her parents’ turbulent marriage and subsequent divorce. Speaking to WSJ Magazine in 2023, she explained,
“I think that it comes from growing up in a household that was destabilized and felt unsafe, watching adults being unkind to each other.”
She continued,
“I don’t want to experience this feeling I’m having in my body right now. I don’t want anyone else that I ever come in contact with to feel that.”
Her parents, Nancy Dow and John Aniston, divorced when Jennifer was a child, leaving a significant impression on her understanding of love and stability.
Defying Parental Warnings to Follow Her Acting Dreams
Aniston also shared insights about pursuing her acting ambitions despite opposition from her father, John Aniston, who famously starred on Days of Our Lives. She revealed that her father discouraged her from entering the entertainment industry, cautioning her about the hardships ahead.
“My dad was telling me, ‘Please don’t do this, you’re just going to suffer rejection,’”
she recalled during the same Armchair Expert podcast.
Her father urged her to consider more conventional careers, saying,
“Just go get a job. Like, get a real job. All the cliché things.”
Nevertheless, Aniston remained determined, asserting,
“Whatever drives you, if you find passion in something and you love it, go do it.”
Jennifer Aniston Addresses Hollywood’s Nepotism Debate
During the interview, Aniston also weighed in on the ongoing controversy about nepotism in Hollywood. She compared the entertainment industry’s family connections to other professions, remarking,
“I mean, look at all the law firms. Blanky Blank Blanky and Blanky Blank. Isn’t that a version of ‘it’s all in the family’? It’s all in the family.”
She continued,
“So, maybe you got into a door because you are so-and-so’s kid, but if you suck, guess what? You’re not going to continue to do it,”
emphasizing that talent ultimately determines longevity in the business despite initial opportunities.
The Longing for Parental Connection Amid Childhood Challenges
Reflecting on the emotional impact of her parents’ divorce and her experiences as a child navigating danger and instability, Aniston admitted to yearning for her father’s attention.
“I would give anything for my dad’s attention,”
she confessed, revealing a heartfelt aspect of her upbringing that continues to resonate with her today.
