What's It Like to Be Jennifer Aniston?

Jan. 15, 2004 -- She's been beguiling America for 10 years. Jennifer Aniston is the fresh-faced woman every woman in America wants to be, and every man in America hopes will move in next door.

Yet in less than 24 hours, Friends, the show that brought her and a little group of unknown actors from Stage 5 at Warner Brothers to that 1-in-a-million chance at superstardom, is set to tape its last episode. It will be broadcast in March.

With so many moments to remember before the lights go dark, Aniston spoke to ABCNEWS' Diane Sawyer about what has happened so far — as well as what's to come, like her upcoming movie, Along Came Polly, in which she plays an eccentric free-spirit who loosens up a straitlaced Ben Stiller.

Among the most pressing questions Aniston faces these days concerns the fate of her eccentric, high-strung alter ego Rachel — and what will happen to her relationship with fellow Friend Ross, played by David Schwimmer.

At the time of the interview, Aniston insisted she didn't know, but noted that the show's writers have always kept things interesting. "One of the things I'm going to miss is running out to my mailbox — grabbing my script and seeing what happens."

As for what would happen the morning after the show ends, Aniston says she hasn't thought about it. "I'm just hoping I'll get through the night!" she told Sawyer.

Family Ties

Sawyer interviewed Aniston at a hotel suite overlooking all of her hometown Manhattan landmarks, like the building where she went to school, the restaurant where she waitressed, and her home at 92nd and Columbus.

In the early years, it was filled with laughter, she says, surrounded by her father, Greek-born actor John Aniston; her mother, Nancy, a former model; and half brother, Johnny.

She treasures the memory of the poker parties her dad held with his actor friends. "[They] would come and sing songs around the piano and play charades and they were just funny," she said.

But when she was 9 years old, she came home from a birthday party one day to have her mother tell her that her father had decided to move out, and Johnny would be leaving, too. She and her mother were alone.

"He was quick," Aniston said, laughing. "I think it was like ripping off a Band-Aid — probably be easier that way."

Mother and daughter were inseparable until 1996, when Aniston had become a superstar and was struggling to keep some privacy despite the glare of the endless cameras.

First, her mother gave an interview to a tabloid TV show, and later wrote a book about their relationship. Aniston feels it was a betrayal , and it caused a bitter rupture that lasts until this day.

"She made a mistake, and I don't think she knew any better," Aniston said. Yet, the actress admits she has a rough time letting go of her hurt and anger.

"I tried. You know, I've definitely tried," she said. But she also suggests it might not be enough. "Now we're sort of all standing in our corners, just waiting for the other to approach, probably."

Aniston told Sawyer there is one sentence she would like most to hear from her mother: "'I'm sorry, I get it.' " Aniston laughed. "It's that simple."

Life With Brad

Now, Aniston's family is a circle of loving friends from the old days, before sitcom stardom.

And there's also her husband, Brad Pitt, who's famously close to his own parents. But on the day they got married, Nancy Aniston was not invited. She still has never met her movie star son-in-law. "I never thought my mom would not know my husband," Aniston said, fighting back tears.

The glamorous couple went on their first date in 1998. It was arranged — where else but in Hollywood?— by their matchmaking agents. Aniston says she knew Pitt was right for her right away. "We both did — on our first date. It was weird."

It was also "fantastic," she said. But she goes on to say that feeling only lasts for so long. "Love is work," she said. "And so you gotta make your choice — if that's what [is] most important to you."

Aniston acknowledges she's the more neurotic of the two. She not only talks in her sleep, but walks in her sleep, too.

She told Sawyer of one night when she woke up outside, by the pool, with the security alarm going off. "That was scary," she said. "Brad screaming my name, 'cause the alarm's going off , and I'm not in bed. He was terrified."

As for who's more jealous, Aniston said, "We worked on that one — we got rid of that one … We've knocked that, that one out."

As in the case of any Hollywood couple, there have been rumors about whether they will stick together. But Aniston dismisses any such speculation. "I can't imagine being with any other human being," she said. "I married him because he was the love of my life."

Aniston has said that after Friends, she'd like to have children. "I've liked working right now — I really love it," she says. "But I also feel that this'll be probably the most important job I'll ever do, having a baby, so that deserves time like my career deserves time."

The press has reported that just how many children is still in dispute. Pitt has said in interviews he'd like to have as many as seven, while Aniston has said two or three. "I think that's gotten blown way out of proportion," she said. "We'd definitely love to have two — at least."

About the Friends

Aniston's family is yet to come, but what about her Friends? Sawyer asked Aniston to tell ABCNEWS what we don't know about each of her Friends — and what they don't even know about themselves.

About Courteney Cox, who plays Monica: "She does not know how — half how gorgeous she is. Has no clue," Aniston said. "I'm not talking physical … She's one of the funniest people on the planet, and I don't think she really thinks that she is.

"Lisa [Kudrow, who plays Phoebe] does have a big, huge heart, whether she likes to say that she's very cold and standoffish, but she's like a warm fire."

About Matthew Perry, who plays Chandler: "That he's all right … he's struggled," Aniston said. Perry has battled an addiction to prescription painkillers, and his castmates have tried to help him.

About Matt LeBlanc, who plays Joey: "I wonder if he realizes the depths of his talent. He's got a lot more in there than just being funny."

As for David Schwimmer, who plays Ross: "He knows everything," Aniston laughed. "I wonder if he believes that he'll make an amazing husband and I think he will."

And Jennifer Aniston herself? "She's OK. She's all right, too."

Asked about Friends, Aniston replied: "I don't know what you call it — a soul-cluster that just found itself."

"It is hard for me to find the word — what is — what was Friends?" she says. "Friends was — fantastic. It was — I bet I'll be able to say it was the time of my life."