Justin Theroux Says Ex Jennifer Aniston Is ‘Still Very Dear’ to Him: ‘I Feel Protective’

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 23: Actors Justin Theroux and Jennifer Aniston attend "The Leftovers" premiere at NYU Skirball Center on June 23, 2014 in New York City.

Justin Theroux says ex-wife Jennifer Aniston is still “very dear” to him six years after their divorce.

The Beetlejuice Beetlejuice star recently spoke with The Times about the upcoming film and opened up about his previous relationship with Aniston, 55.

The former couple began a romance in 2011 and got engaged the following year. Three years later, they tied the knot in a backyard ceremony in August 2015. They announced their split in early 2018.

Since their divorce, the pair have maintained a close friendship. Theroux reaffirmed their close bond in the interview.

“She is still very dear to me,” the 53-year-old actor said of his friendship with the Friends star.

Theroux also remarked on Aniston’s recent reply to Sen. J.D. Vance’s 2021 comments that women like Vice President Kamala Harris who have not given birth are “childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives.”

“Of course, yeah, I feel protective,” the Mulholland Drive star said. “But she batted back criticism, as well she should.”

Justin Theroux at the Dr. Barbara Sturm VIP Dinner held at Torrisi on April 23, 2024 in New York, New York.

On July 24, the Morning Show star, 40, wrote in her Instagram Stories that she “truly can’t believe” that Vance, 40, could become the next Vice President of the U.S. after hearing his resurfaced 2021 comments about Harris. Vance is Donald Trump’s 2024 running mate.

“All I can say is… Mr. Vance, I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children of her own one day,” Aniston, who has shared her personal IVF story in the past, wrote on her Instagram Stories at the time.

“I hope she will not need to turn to IVF as a second option,” Aniston continued. “Because you are trying to take that away from her, too.”

Aniston opened up to Allure in November 2022 about her past infertility struggles and IVF attempts.

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Theroux is now engaged to Nicole Brydon Bloom. The Leftovers actor proposed in late August in Italy. Bloom, 30, showed off her striking engagement ring on the red carpet for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice‘s premiere during the Venice Film Festival.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice premieres in theaters on Friday, Sept. 6.