Jennifer Aniston had a touching moment on The Drew Barrymore Show on Sept. 12, revealing her emotional rapport with actress Shirley MacLaine and her deceased dog, Norman.
A Bond Beyond the Screen
Aniston and MacLaine co-starred in the 2005 romantic comedy Rumor Has It, where MacLaine played Aniston’s grandmother. But their connection went far beyond acting. Aniston revealed that MacLaine believes they were mother and daughter in a past life, which explained their instant and deep bond.
Throughout the show, host Drew Barrymore surprised Aniston with a heartwarming video message from Shirley MacLaine and her daughter, Sachi Parker. In the message, MacLaine congratulated Aniston for being “really wonderful to work with,” reducing the 56-year-old actress to tears.
A Memory Tied to Love and Loss
Describing her emotional response, Aniston revealed she was with MacLaine at her New Mexico ranch when her favorite dog, Norman, died in 2011. Aniston was on a past life regression retreat at the time, so the experience seemed surreal and deep.
Aniston also fondly remembered Norman, a Welsh corgi-terrier cross who she adopted after she met him on the set of Friends. The stubborn and intractable dog was on the verge of being retired from the show business when Aniston adopted him.
A Lasting Tribute
Norman passed away at 15, but his memory lives on. Aniston even sports a tattoo of his name on her foot. She’s a dedicated dog mom to Lord Chesterfield and Clyde but says her original dogs, Norman and Dolly, have a piece of her heart.
“You say their names, and I get chills,” Aniston said in a 2024 People interview.
