Jennifer Aniston Says ‘I Feel Better In My 40s’

Now in her 40s, Jennifer Aniston says she’s happier and more comfortable than she has ever felt in her life. She also reveals that she’s had an opportunity to look back on her past and the Friends star admits some of her past roles are shameful. The introspective look at her past gives Jennifer a new outlook on what she might have done better in her career and gives her a clearer picture of what kinds of film projects she wants to take on in the future.

Jennifer Aniston Says She’s Happy And Says Justin Theroux Is Partially To Thank

Seven months ago, Aniston and Theroux were secretly married, but Jennifer says it hasn’t really affected their life together. She says it feels normal and fun, but it’s very much the same feelings she felt for Justin before the wedding. Aniston adds that Justin’s ability to make her laugh is one of the greatest traits he has and that she finds laughter to be the key to a happy life.

The 47-year-old actress also says she finds comfort and joy in her 40s, unlike anything she experienced in her younger years.

“I feel better in my 40s,” Jennifer said. “Not only do you feel better in your body physically, but you’re mentally better. Because, say, in your 20s, you didn’t know sh*t.”

Ms. Aniston remarks that her 30s were spent trying to understand life and learning how to handle much of it. She also seems to be looking forward to her 50s, commenting that older women are looking better these days. She says she’s happy to live at a time when women are learning how to take better care of themselves.

Jennifer Aniston Looks Back On Her Past Films…And Cringes

Jennifer has learned to be more selective with the film projects she takes on, now that maturity has brought her more wisdom, but that wasn’t always the case. Looking back on her own filmography, Aniston regrets taking on some of the movies she has done.

“There was a time when I worked and worked and worked. I loved it,” the Friends star confessed. “I’m a bit of a people pleaser. I’ve got to stop. Some of the movies I’ve made, I bow my head in slight shame over.”

Ms. Aniston played Rachel Green on Friends for 10 years, but, after the show ended, she refocused her career on film. Mostly leaving television behind, Jennifer has been seen in a number of films, mostly romantic comedies like The Break-Up, Marley & Me, Just Go with It, Horrible Bosses, and We’re the Millers.

Jennifer won a Golden Globe for her dramatic role in Cake, proving she can thrive in any type of role. Ms. Aniston says it wasn’t easy moving away from the rom com genre, especially with the way Hollywood likes to pigeonhole actors. It took her time to convince the public that she can do more dramatic roles.

“Also, you have to start taking chances in an industry that’s very insecure about taking chances on people. People forget who actors are. They say, ‘You’re too known to play that part. You can’t disappear.’ And we’re like, ‘Give us a chance. We’ll disappear.'”

Jennifer hasn’t disappeared completely. The public may never forget that she was Rachel on Friends from 1994 to 2004, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Ten years on a sitcom is no small feat and even comedies have their share of serious drama, so any director that views Aniston’s past with disdain has a limited world view.

Jennifer Aniston will next star in Mother’s Day, along with Julia Roberts and Britt Robertson. Mother’s Day will see an April 28 theatrical release.

[Image by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images]