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Watch: Jennifer Aniston Reveals the Celebrity She Was Related to in a Past Life

Along came Shirley.

Jennifer Aniston revealed a theory that Shirley MacLaine, who played her grandmother in 2005’s Rumor Has It, has about their cosmic connection.

“She believes that we were a mother and daughter in a previous lifetime,” the Friends alum shared on the Sept. 11 episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, “and I think it’s why we have such we had such an instant bond. She’s just fantastic.”

Host Drew Barrymore then surprised Jennifer with a virtual message from Shirley and her daughter Sachi Parker.

“Hi, Jen! It’s so great to see you there,” Shirley said. “I just wanted to tell you Jen, I’ll never forget how professional you were during the time when we were making Rumor Has it. You were really wonderful to work with.”

The 91-year-old added, “I wanted to tell you congratulations from 20 years later.”

Jennifer wiped tears away from her eyes as she recalled another notable moment with Shirley when the Morning Show star’s dog Norman died in 2011.

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“That’s a surprise!” she exclaimed. “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.”

At that, Drew’s dog jumped onto the couch to comfort the actress as she said, “Are you worried about me because I’m crying, and I’m talking about Norman?”

Another fellow actress that Jennifer has a special bond with is Gwyneth Paltrow, with whom she remains friends despite them sharing an ex in Brad Pitt.

“Ironically,” she shared during an interview with Vanity Fair published last month, “I went to her and Brad’s engagement party.”

Asked if they ever talk about the Ocean’s Eleven actor, Jennifer, who has remained friends with Brad following their 2005 divorce, was unapologetic. “Oh, of course,” she admitted. “How can we not? We’re girls.”

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But that’s not all that Gwyneth and Jennifer bond over. The longtime friends also share a passion for health and wellness and often lean on one another for guidance.

“We’re always swapping advice,” the Murder Mystery actress revealed. “‘What are you doing for this? What are you doing for that? Do you have a new doctor for that?'”

While the jury is still out on whether or not Jennifer and Shirley—whose brother is actor Warren Beatty—actually were related in a past life, take a peek at some celebs who are unexpectedly family…

Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images/Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

Lena Dunham & Larry David On an April 2 episode of Finding Your Roots, host Henry Louis Gates Jr., revealed that Lena Dunham had a distant ancestor in common with Larry David on her mother’s side. 

Astrid Stawiarz/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images/Instagram/Gypsy Rose Blanchard

Stassi Schroeder & Gypsy Rose BlanchardGenealogist Dr. Adina Newman, known on Instagram as My Family Genie, revealed Blanchard and the Vanderpump Rules alum are allegedly related on their paternal grandmother’s side dating back all the way to the 1600s.Schroeder, a self-professed true crime fan, commented on Newman’s post, “Omg I’m unwell.”

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Dakota Johnson and Antonio BanderasThe Mask of Zorro star was married to the Fifty Shades of Grey actress’ mother Melanie Griffith for 20 years before they ultimately split in 2015, but that doesn’t mean the stepfather and daughter’s bond has been severed.Johnson got emotional when she presented an award to Banderas at the 2019 Hollywood Film Awards.”I come from a family of many a marriage and I got very lucky,” Johnson, whose dad is actor Don Johnson, said. “I got a bonus dad who I realized that, over time, is actually one of the most influential people in my whole life,” she said. “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.”

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Robyn Lively & Blake LivelyThe Teen Witch star and the Gossip Girl alum are half-sisters who share the same mom, talent manager Elaine Lively.

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Elle King & Rob SchneiderThe “Ex’s & Oh’s” singer is the SNL vet’s daughter, born from his relationship with former model London King.

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Ludacris & MonicaThe Fast & Furious star is cousins with the R&B singer thanks to her stepfather, Reverend Edward Best, who happens to be the rapper’s uncle.

Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

Conan O’Brien & Denis LearyThe late-night host and the Rescue Me creator are third cousins.

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Steven Spielberg & Jessica CapshawThe onetime Grey’s Anatomy doc has called the legendary director stepdad ever since he married her mom Kate Capshaw in 1991.

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Yara Shahidi & NasThe Grown-ish star calls the rapper her second cousin. She was even the flower girl in his 2005 wedding with now ex-wife Kelis!

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Lea Thompson & Zoey DeutchThe actress is the daughter of the Back to the Future icon.

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Kiefer Sutherland & Sarah SutherlandNot only did the Veep vet make a name for herself playing a famous daughter on the HBO comedy, but she’s also a famous daughter in real life. The erstwhile Jack Bauer star is her father.

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Phil Collins & Lily CollinsSome Emily in Paris viewers were très shocked to discover Lily is the daughter of the English Grammy winner. 

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Amy Schumer & Chuck SchumerThe comedian and the New York Senator are actually related, as he’s the first cousin of her father.

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Kate Middleton, Dakota Fanning & Elle FanningAccording to a 2014 People interview, a family historian from Ancestry.com claimed that the Fannings and the Princess of Wales are all descendants of King Edward III, who ruled England from 1327 to 1377, making them very distant relatives—21st cousins, to be exact.

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Jonah Hill & Beanie FeldsteinThe actors are actually brother and sister!

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Niecy Nash, Danielle Brooks & Sterling K. BrownTalent runs in this family, as the Reno 911! alum, Orange Is the New Black actress and This Is Us star are all cousins.”We are blood related!” Nash wrote on Instagram January 2024, sharing a photo of the trio at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Third Annual Fundraising Gala. “REAL cousins!”

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Jason Sudeikis & George WendtThe SNL alum calls the Cheers icon Uncle George whenever he sees him. At least, we assume he does.

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Stephen Dillane & Frank DillaneYep, Game of Thrones‘ Stannis Baratheon is the real-life dad of Fear the Walking Dead‘s Nick Clark.

Jason Merritt/Getty Images; Danny Martindale/WireImage

Lily Allen & Sam SmithThe brunette beauty and the “Stay With Me” singer are third cousins. During a radio interview, Smith admitted that the pair have never met because their family is “huge.”

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Liev Schreiber & Pablo SchreiberThe Salt actor and the memorable Law & Order: SVU guest star are half-brothers.

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Melissa McCarthy & Jenny McCarthyYou may not have guessed but the Bridesmaids comedian and the former View co-host are cousins.

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Julia Roberts & Emma RobertsThe We’re the Millers actress has the perfect mentor in the Pretty Woman star, who happens to be her auntie.

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Lacey Schwimmer & David SchwimmerWho knew the stunning Dancing With the Stars pro is second cousins with the Friends alum?

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Alexander Skarsgård & Stellan SkarsgårdThe True Blood vampire caught the acting bug from his dear old dad who stars in both The Avengers and Thor franchises.

J. Vespa/WireImage; Sylvain Gaboury/FilmMagic

Sofia Coppola, Jason Schwartzman, Nicolas Cage & Francis Ford CoppolaThe Ghost Rider actor comes from an extremely talented family. One of his cousins directed The Bling Ring, the other starred in Saving Mr. Banks and his uncle directed The Godfather.

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Lily Allen & Alfie AllenThe outspoken British singer is the older sister of the Game of Thrones star. She even wrote a song about him titled “Alfie.”

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Brooke Shields & Glenn CloseThe Damages star and the Lipstick Jungle actress are second cousins.

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Shirley MacLaine & Warren BeattyThe Secret Life of Walter Mitty actress originally inspired her baby brother to get into show business.

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Rashida Jones & Quincy JonesThe Parks and Recreation actress is the daughter of the legendary music producer.

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Tom Cruise & William MapotherThe Lost actor has a very famous cousin in the Mission: Impossible star.

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