Aniston is the daughter of the actor John Aniston and actress Naancy Dow. Aniston has two half-brothers, John Melick (older) and Alex Aniston (younger). Aniston`s godfather was the late actor Telly Savalas, her father`s best friend. Aniston lived in Greece for one year as a child with her family, and they later relocated to New York City. Her father has appeared in the soap operas Days Of Our Lives, Love of Life and Search for Tomorrow. Aniston attended the New York Rudolf Steiner School and attended Fiorello H LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts.
Among her high school friends was future human rights activist Chastity Bono.
Aniston proved to be a talented painter during her stay at the Rudolf Steiner School (one of her pieces was displayed at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art).
Aniston did not discover her own penchant for acting until attending the Rudolf Steiner School drama club at 11, where Steiner himself encouraged her to pursue a career in theater and film.
Aniston`s desire to become an actress grew as she worked in Off-Broadway productions such as For Dear Life and Dancing on Checker`s Grave.
During this time, she supported herself with several part time jobs, including working as a telemarketer and bike messenger.