Jennifer Aniston plays the daughter of a domineering mom in a new emotional role

Aniston plays a role based on a real mother

Jennifer Aniston will act in Jennette McCurdy’s new show “I’m Glad My Mom Died” on Apple TV+. She plays the character of McCurdy’s overbearing mother. The show is based on McCurdy’s 2022 memoir of the same name.

The show focuses on the difficult bond between a rising actress and her controlling mother. Jennette McCurdy will write and co-showrun the series. Aniston also had a strained bond with her mother, Nancy Dow.

Aniston faced early criticism at home

Jennifer Aniston was raised by her mother, Nancy Dow, after her father, John Aniston, left. Dow worked as a model and was often critical of Aniston’s appearance during childhood.

In a 2004 interview with Diane Sawyer, Aniston recalled being told her eyes were too close and her nose too big.

Aniston said Dow claimed these were beauty tips. Dow told her it was to help, not insult. Aniston added that it likely made her wear more makeup. These comments became part of her childhood memories that stayed with her for years.

Fallout after mother’s public book

After Aniston became famous on “Friends,” her mother gave a tabloid interview and published a book. Dow released “From Mother and Daughter to Friends” in 1999. This decision caused a rift. Aniston and Dow stopped speaking after the book’s release.

In a 2004 interview, Aniston said she made efforts to fix the bond. She said they were both stuck waiting for the other to make the next move. Dow’s book became a major point of tension in their already-strained relationship and was viewed by Aniston as a betrayal.

Dow’s death and final status update

Jennifer Aniston’s mother, Nancy Dow, died in May 2016 after a long illness. Dow had suffered strokes in 2011 that left her unable to speak or walk. The two had reportedly reconciled before Dow’s death.

Aniston gave a brief statement after her mother passed. She said Dow died peacefully, surrounded by friends and family. In a 2015 interview before Dow’s death, Aniston had said, “We’re all fine,” when asked about the relationship.

McCurdy’s memoir describes strict rules

Jennette McCurdy’s memoir “I’m Glad My Mom Died” described her mother as controlling. She wrote that her mother put her on a strict diet when she was young. Her mother made her weigh herself five times daily.

McCurdy said her mother wouldn’t let her shower alone until she was 16. These facts are part of the book that inspired the show. McCurdy’s writing provided the structure for the role Aniston will play. The book gave details about how a child star experienced harsh treatment at home.

Show will focus on toxic dependency

The show is described as a dramedy that centers on a young actress and her mother. McCurdy will write about an 18-year-old star and her narcissistic mother. The mother thrives on her role as “a starlet’s mom.”

The story will include how the mother’s identity was built around her daughter’s fame. The daughter’s personal freedom was often limited by her mother’s behavior. The bond between them will be shown as toxic and controlling.

Aniston linked her role to her real childhood

Jennifer Aniston once compared her real-life experience to a past role in the movie “Dumplin’.” She played a pageant mom in that film. Aniston said she connected with the character because it reminded her of her mother.

She told the Sunday Telegraph that her mom cared too much about appearances. Dow was focused on what she and Aniston looked like. Aniston said she was not the child her mom wanted. These details were shared in an interview reported by People in 2018.

Aniston says her mother was focused on looks

In that 2018 People magazine feature, Aniston said her mom focused on beauty. Dow was a model and placed importance on looks. Aniston said she wanted to be noticed and loved. She added that her mom cared about things that didn’t matter to her.

The interview revealed how those early experiences shaped her life. Aniston said she remembered wanting her mother’s attention more than anything else. She gave examples that included her mother being more interested in appearance than emotional connection.

Dow held grudges, was often critical

In a 2015 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Aniston said her mother had a temper. She said Dow was critical and unforgiving. Dow would hold petty grudges, according to Aniston. Aniston shared that she once screamed at her mother.

Dow laughed at her instead of taking it seriously. Aniston described the laugh as feeling like a punch in her stomach. These facts were part of her open comments about how childhood arguments had lasting effects on her.

Dow’s book was a major breaking point

Aniston’s anger toward her mother grew after the 1999 book was published. “From Mother and Daughter to Friends” was seen by Aniston as exposing private matters. She said the book caused a major break in their bond.

The book was written to help others with similar trauma. The publisher said it was about childhood pain, divorce, and estrangement. But Aniston viewed it as a betrayal and refused to speak to her mother for years. Dow was not invited to Aniston’s 2000 wedding to Brad Pitt.

Family therapy led to more tension

Before the book was released, Aniston and Dow tried therapy. A 2000 National Post article said they went to a joint session. Dow felt blamed for all her daughter’s problems. This session made the relationship worse.

The therapy attempt led to more emotional distance. These facts show that efforts to repair things early on had failed. By the early 1990s, the two were barely speaking. These events happened just before Aniston’s career took off with the launch of “Friends” in 1994.

Reconnection began after Pitt divorce

Aniston and Dow began speaking again in 2006. The reconnection followed Aniston’s divorce from Brad Pitt. Aniston told Vanity Fair they were taking “baby steps.” She said their doors were open and they had exchanged messages.

The contact resumed after six years of silence. Dow had not been part of Aniston’s wedding, but the divorce led her to think about family again. Aniston said she felt good about her choices but admitted their time apart had been necessary.

Dow faced a health decline after strokes

In 2011, Nancy Dow suffered several strokes. These left her unable to walk or speak. Dow’s condition lasted until she died in 2016 in Los Angeles. Aniston gave a short public statement after Dow’s passing.

She said her mother died at age 79, surrounded by friends and family. No further details were shared. This final health decline followed years of family strain, a partial reconciliation, and years of silence before reconnecting.

Dow had an acting career in her early years

Nancy Dow worked in television. She appeared in “The Beverly Hillbillies.” She married John Aniston in 1965. Jennifer was born in 1969. Dow and John divorced when Jennifer was 9.

Jennifer then lived with Dow. Aniston has said the bond with her mother worsened during her teen years. These background details appeared in a 2022 New York Post article. They give insight into the family setup that shaped Jennifer’s early years.

Aniston said her mother left lasting wounds

In a 2018 Elle interview, Aniston said Dow left deep wounds. She recalled her mom telling her to put her face on and look better. She said Dow said those things out of love, but didn’t know they would cause hurt.

Aniston said the remarks stayed with her and required healing. She didn’t blame Dow but said those were lessons from her childhood that took time to understand. These facts show how the bond remained complicated even after her mother’s death.

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Aniston said she learned from Dow’s anger

In an interview with Allure, Aniston said she forgave her mom. She also forgave her father and other family members. She said holding anger was toxic. She remembered how Dow never let go of anger.

Aniston said Dow showed her what not to become. She said she learned from watching her mother hold on to grudges. These comments were part of her later reflections after both her parents had passed.

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Could you relate to a mom like that? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.