Jennifer Aniston opened up about a profound past life connection with Shirley MacLaine, who portrayed her grandmother in the 2005 film Rumor Has It. On the September 11 episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, Aniston revealed that MacLaine believes they were mother and daughter in a previous lifetime, which explains their immediate and strong bond.
The Friends alum expressed admiration for MacLaine, describing their relationship as instantly special and citing MacLaine’s fantastic presence. Their on-screen connection appears to transcend the ordinary, hinting at a deep spiritual link.
From On-Set Memories to Emotional Support
During the interview, host Drew Barrymore surprised Jennifer with a pre-recorded message from Shirley MacLaine and her daughter, Sachi Parker. In the message, MacLaine praised Jennifer’s professionalism during the making of Rumor Has It and congratulated her on the film’s lasting impact two decades later.
Jennifer became emotional recalling a significant moment they shared off-set. In 2011, while attending a past life regression retreat at Shirley’s ranch in New Mexico, Aniston experienced the loss of her dog, Norman. She spoke with heartfelt emotion about that time, acknowledging how meaningful Shirley’s presence was to her during such a difficult experience.
“I love her so much. I was with her when my dog passed away. I was at her ranch in New Mexico doing a past life regression retreat, which sounds crazy when I say it like that.”
—Jennifer Aniston, Actress
Drew’s dog comforted an emotional Aniston, illustrating the close, compassionate atmosphere of the interview as she shared her grief over Norman’s passing.
Close Friendships Beyond Shirley MacLaine
Jennifer Aniston also discussed another special friendship with fellow actress Gwyneth Paltrow. Despite sharing a high-profile ex-lover in Brad Pitt, the two remain close friends. Aniston reminisced about attending Brad and Paltrow’s engagement party and affirmed how their shared experiences keep them connected.
“Oh, of course, How can we not? We’re girls.”
—Jennifer Aniston, Actress
Beyond their shared history with Pitt, Aniston and Paltrow bond over their mutual interest in health and wellness, frequently exchanging advice and recommendations to support each other’s well-being.
“We’re always swapping advice, ‘What are you doing for this? What are you doing for that? Do you have a new doctor for that?’”
—Jennifer Aniston, Actress
Notable Celebrity Family Connections Revealed
While Jennifer’s belief in her past life connection with Shirley MacLaine remains a fascinating anecdote, the concept of unexpected family ties among celebrities is widespread. Recent reveals have uncovered numerous surprising ancestral and familial connections across Hollywood, illustrating how intertwined the entertainment world can be.
Distant Relatives in the Spotlight
On an April 2 episode of Finding Your Roots, historian Henry Louis Gates Jr. unveiled that Lena Dunham and Larry David share a distant ancestor through Dunham’s mother’s lineage. This revelation connects two widely recognized comedic talents decades apart.
Unexpected Relations Among Reality TV Stars and True Crime Enthusiasts
Genealogist Dr. Adina Newman discovered that Vanderpump Rules star Stassi Schroeder and true crime figure Gypsy Rose Blanchard are related on their paternal grandmother’s side, tracing back to the 1600s. Schroeder expressed surprise at this discovery, highlighting the unexpected nature of these familial links.
Stepfamily Bonds in Hollywood
Dakota Johnson, whose mother Melanie Griffith was married to Antonio Banderas for 20 years, has maintained an emotional bond with her former stepfather. Johnson expressed gratitude for the positive influence Banderas has had on her life and family since childhood.
“I come from a family of many a marriage and I got very lucky,”
Johnson said during a 2019 ceremony.
“I got a bonus dad who I realized that, over time, is actually one of the most influential people in my whole life.”
She continued,
“When I was six years old, my mother married a man who brought an unbelievably bright light and a whole new world of creativity and culture—and one remarkably magical little sister into our family.”
Half-Sisters and Parent-Child Dynamics in the Entertainment World
Robyn Lively and Blake Lively share the same mother, talent manager Elaine Lively, making them half-sisters who both have found success in acting careers. Meanwhile, singer Elle King is well-known as the daughter of comedian Rob Schneider.
Other family ties include Ludacris and Monica, who are cousins through Monica’s stepfather, Reverend Edward Best, and Conan O’Brien and Denis Leary, who are third cousins as revealed in extended family studies.
Famous Parent-Child Relationships and Their Influence
Jessica Capshaw, known for her role on Grey’s Anatomy, has often referred to director Steven Spielberg as her stepfather since his marriage to her mother, Kate Capshaw, in 1991. Similarly, Yara Shahidi, star of Grown-ish, is related to rapper Nas as a second cousin, even serving as a flower girl at his 2005 wedding.
Lea Thompson, beloved for the Back to the Future films, is the mother of actress Zoey Deutch, while Kiefer Sutherland’s daughter Sarah Sutherland has established her own career in acting as well.
Familiar Faces Behind the Scenes and on Screen
Emily in Paris star Lily Collins is the daughter of musician Phil Collins, a discovery that surprised many viewers. Comedian Amy Schumer is related to Senator Chuck Schumer, who is her father’s first cousin, adding a political dimension to her family tree.
Kate Middleton shares distant ancestry with actresses Dakota and Elle Fanning, all tracing their heritage back to King Edward III of England, highlighting royal ties stretching centuries into the past.
Siblings, Cousins, and Extended Family Revealed
Actors Jonah Hill and Beanie Feldstein are actual siblings, while Niecy Nash, Danielle Brooks, and Sterling K. Brown share cousinhood within the acting community. Nash proudly celebrated their familial bond on social media during a notable film museum gala.
Jason Sudeikis affectionately calls George Wendt “Uncle George,” though this relationship is more honorary than biological. Stephen Dillane and Frank Dillane, recognized for roles on Game of Thrones and Fear the Walking Dead respectively, are a real-life father-son duo, as are half-brothers Liev and Pablo Schreiber.
Unexpected Bloodlines Among Musicians and Actors
Lily Allen and Sam Smith are third cousins who have yet to meet due to large family branches. British singer Lily Allen is also the older sister of actor Alfie Allen, even writing a song about him titled “Alfie.”
Brooke Shields and Glenn Close are second cousins, and Shirley MacLaine inspired her younger brother Warren Beatty’s entrance into show business, marking two siblings’ impact on Hollywood history.
Unique Family Ties Across Generations
Rashida Jones, known for her role on Parks and Recreation, is the daughter of legendary producer Quincy Jones, while Tom Cruise’s cousin William Mapother is a recognizable actor in his own right. These relationships showcase how familial connections enrich Hollywood’s diverse talent pool.
Reflections on Family Bonds and Shared Experiences
Jennifer Aniston’s revelation about her past life connection with Shirley MacLaine invites reflection on how intimate bonds can transcend time and circumstance. Whether through spiritual belief or shared experiences, these connections provide deep meaning for those involved.
Such stories contribute to a broader conversation about the importance of support systems, friendship, and the unexpected ways that personal histories intersect, both on-screen and off. As Aniston’s story illustrates, these relationships often offer comfort, guidance, and continuity during challenging moments.
