Jennifer Aniston was born in Sherman Oaks, California, and grew up in New York City. Jennifer Aniston is the daughter of actor John Aniston and actress Nancy Dow. Jennifer Aniston's Greek American father was born Yannis Anastassakis on the island of Crete, Greece, while her mother is of Scottish-Italian descent and was born in New York City. Her father has appeared in the soap operas Days of our Lives, Love of Life and Search for Tomorrow.