Family rifts are very sad whether you’re famous or not. That’s something Jennifer Aniston obviously has learned. While the actress finally did reconcile with her mom, Nancy Dow, in 2008, it came about in halting fashion after a 12-year estrangement that included Dow not being invited to Aniston and Brad Pitt’s wedding.
“A lot of people have said Jen held a grudge for too long,” said a longtime Aniston friend. “But it’s always easy to criticize when you don’t really know the facts. … Jen told [her mother] many times never to discuss her, her career or any aspect of her private life with the press — long before [Dow’s tell-all] TV interview took place in 1996.
“Nancy’s reasons for doing that have always been suspect, but Jennifer and all those ‘Friends’ stars were under such a microscope. It’s easy to see why they were so gun-shy. When Nancy did that interview, Jen just went ballistic.
“Then on top of that, [Dow] wrote that book [1999’s From Mother and Daughter to Friends], making things far, far worse.”† A recent stroke reportedly has made Dow unable to communicate verbally. “At least Jennifer and Nancy have made peace, belatedly as it has been,” said the source. † Like ex-husband Pitt, Aniston’s new beau, Justin Theroux, is supportive of the mother and daughter having a relationship.
MEDIA SAVVY: Word has it, Marc Anthony told Will Smith that “one picture is worth a thousand lousy gossip lies” when he invited his “HawthoRNe” co-star Jada Pinkett Smith’s hubby to join him in Anthony’s box at the Dolphins game. His point? To dis the much-denied rumors he and Jada had had a fling.
COMEBACK COMING? Though Whitney Houston’s friends are concerned the pressure of making her first film in 15 years may be too much for her — and threaten her fragile sobriety — the former superstar is said to be very positive about her prospects.
Houston is close to inking a deal to play the mother of Jordin Sparks’ character in the “American Idol” winner’s movie debut. Sparks will play the title role in a remake of “Sparkle,” the 1976 musical drama about a Supremes-like girl group.
Deadline.com reports Mike Epps is also attached to the film. MODEL MOMENT: The one and only Tyra Banks will hit town Thursday for a 7 p.m. book signing at Wentz hall at North Central College — autographing copies of her first novel, Modelland.
STAR POWER: Fresh off the conclusion of his TV series “Entourage,” Adrian Grenier will hit the links Wednesday at the 2011 BMW Championship at Cog Hill — playing in the pro-am event.
† “What a thrill” was Chicago-based sports and media agent Steve Mandell’s reaction upon learning he’d be a last-minute addition to that final episode Sunday, as an extra in a boardroom scene with his client Mike Ditka and Chicago’s own Jeremy “Ari” Piven. “As you can imagine,” Mandell said Tuesday, “my phone hasn’t stopped ringing off the hook because so many people watched that iconic final show.”
LAUGH A LOT: Tim Meadows heads to improv mecca iO Theatre to do a pair of “Uncle’s Brother” shows at 10 and 11 p.m. Sunday, joined by Second City vets Brad Morris and Joe Canale.
SHE’S A ROCK! Congrats to veteran “Chicago Tonight” correspondent Elizabeth Brackett. The 70-year-young broadcaster just won the World Triathlon Championship, topping her age group for the third straight year! This year’s competition was held in Bejing, on the same course used for the 2008 Olympics. Brackett emailed her WTTW-Channel 11 colleagues that her “three-peat … was both gorgeous and tough.” Now Brackett is touring China with a hike on the Great Wall, “though in my case it might be with a limp.”
SEEN ON THE SCENE: Gov. Pat Quinn — joined by “Man of Steel” producers Chuck Roven (“The Dark Knight”) and Deb Snyder — toured the Chicago set of the superhero flick. … Meanwhile, two of the movie’s stars — Amy Adams and Henry Cavill — were spied dining at Gibsons Rush Street steakery, where Sen. John McCain also was seen (separately). Cavill, the new Superman, had heads turning at RL as well, while he dined across the room from Rosie O’Donnell, Tatum O’Neal and Harpo/OWN honcho Sheri Salata. ….“The Playboy Club” actor David Krumholtz and (separately) Bears QB Jay Cutler turned up at Hub 51 the other night. … Ditto for Bears Hall of Famer Richard Dent at Harry Caray’s on Kinzie. … Dent also was seen at Timothy O’Toole’s Pub along with fellow ’85 Bear Mike Richardson, plus Patrick Mannelly, Caleb Hanie, Matt Spaeth, Zach Bowman and Adam Podlesh.