(1964-)

Who Is Courteney Cox?

Courteney Cox was born on June 15, 1964 in Birmingham, Alabama. She studied architecture at Mount Vernon College, but dropped out to pursue a modelling in New York City. Cox's big break came when she was cast by Brian De Palma in the Bruce Springsteen video "Dancing in the Dark." Her best known role is Monica Geller on the hit television series Friends. Cox was married to actor David Arquette for nearly 13 years, from 1999 to 2012.

Early Life

Born on June 15, 1964 in Birmingham, Alabama, Courteney Cox is the youngest of four children born to Courteney and Richard Lewis Cox. When Cox's parents split in 1974, she lived with her mother and step-father Hunter Copeland. As a child, she was an avid swimmer and tennis player. She studied architecture for a year at Mount Vernon College, but soon dropped out to pursue a modeling career in New York City. That pursuit led to small roles in film and on television.

Acting Career

Cox's big break came when she was cast by Brian De Palma in the Bruce Springsteen video "Dancing in the Dark." In 1985, she moved to Los Angeles and landed the role of Lauren Miller—Michael J. Fox's girlfriend on the hit series Family Ties. Cox is perhaps best known for her role as Monica Geller in the acclaimed television series Friends (1994-2004). The series made her an international superstar.

Roles in feature films began with Down Twisted (1986), with subsequent parts in films such as Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994), co-starring with Jim Carrey; Wes Craven's Scream and its sequel, Scream 2 (1996, 1998); and Commandments (1997). Cox earned a Golden Globe nomination in 2010 for her role as a divorced 40-year-old in the television series Cougar Town, which debuted in 2009.

Courteney Cox arrives at the premiere of Amazon Studios’ ’Gleason’ at the Regal LA Live Stadium 14 on July 14, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo: Amanda Edwards/WireImage/Getty Images)

Personal Life

Cox dated actor Michael Keaton from 1990-95. She married actor David Arquette on June 12, 1999, and the couple welcomed a baby girl, Coco, in June 2004. After separating in 2010, the couple filed for divorce in 2012. Cox is currently engaged to Snow Patrol band member Johnny McDaid.

QUICK FACTS

Birth Year: 1964
Birth date: June 15, 1964
Birth State: Alabama
Birth City: Birmingham
Birth Country: United States
Gender: Female
Best Known For: Courteney Cox is an actress best known for her role on the hit TV series 'Friends' and 'Cougar Town.'
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