Courteney Cox's Full Biography
Courteney Cox, born on June 15, 1964, in Birmingham, Alabama, started her journey towards fame by studying architecture at Mount Vernon College. However, her aspirations took a turn when she decided to leave her studies behind and pursue a modeling career in New York City.
It was during this time that Cox experienced a breakthrough moment when she was handpicked by Brian De Palma to feature in Bruce Springsteen's iconic "Dancing in the Dark" music video. However, it was her role as Monica Geller on the beloved television series Friends that truly solidified her status as a household name.
Early Life/Education
Courteney Cox was born on June 15, 1964, in Birmingham, Alabama, as the youngest of four children to Courteney and Richard Lewis Cox.
Cox lived with her mother and stepfather, Hunter Copeland, after her parents divorced in 1974. She was an avid swimmer and tennis player as a child.
She attended Mount Vernon College for a year before dropping out to pursue a modeling career in New York City. This pursuit led to minor roles in films and television shows.
Career
Cox's acting career took off with her role as the lead in the short-lived television series Misfits of Science (1985). From there, she had regular appearances on the popular show Family Ties (1982–1989) from 1987 to 1989, where she had a starring role.
However, it is Cox's portrayal of Monica Geller Bing on the beloved TV show Friends (1994–2004) that has truly made her a household name. Despite her incredible performance, Cox surprisingly did not receive an Emmy nomination, making her the only principal cast member of the show to be overlooked.
Her first role in a feature film was in Down Twisted (1986), then she co-starred with Jim Carrey in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994), Wes Craven's Scream and Scream 2 (1996, 1998), and Commandments (1999).
Cox received a Golden Globe nomination in 2010 for her role as a divorced 40-year-old in the 2009 television series Cougar Town.
Business Ventures
In partnership with her ex-husband David Arquette, Courteney founded the production company Coquette Productions, which she now owns.
Personal Life
Cox had a romantic relationship with actor Michael Keaton spanning from 1990 to 1995.
On June 12, 1999, she tied the knot with actor David Arquette and they welcomed their daughter, Coco, in June 2004. However, their relationship unfortunately hit a rough patch, leading to a separation in 2010 and ultimately filing for divorce in 2012.
Presently, Cox has found happiness once again and is engaged to the talented Johnny McDaid, a member of the band Snow Patrol.
Net Worth
Courteney Cox has a net worth of $160 million, with a big lump of that coming from Friends.
In the initial season of Friends, the talented cast members were paid $22,500 for every episode. However, their earnings witnessed an increase in the second season, with each member receiving $40,000 per episode.
They received $75,000 per episode for season three and the subsequent seasons all saw an increase in payment per episode as well. By the end of Friends each cast member had earned $90 million total.
Activism
While Courteney Cox advocates for many organizations, she is particularly recognized for her activism in raising awareness about a rare genetic disorder called EB, or epidermolysis bullosa. Additionally, Cox is also involved in initiatives related to breast cancer awareness and promoting animal rights.
