Inside Jennifer Aniston And Adam Sandler's Relationship

Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler's friendship is probably one of the sweetest celebrity friendships that have withstood the test of time. Believe it or not, Aniston and Sandler met in high school long before starring in movies and even before either became household names. After pursuing their acting careers and gaining individual success as actors, the two would eventually come full circle by collaborating in movies as co-stars — their first being the box-office hit "Just Go With It."

Funnily enough, Aniston and Sandler have played husband and wife in every movie they have both appeared in. This makes sense considering Sandler has referenced Aniston as his "work wife" and vice-versa. But, when the two actors aren't working together, they maintain a fun, sibling-like relationship where they either give props to each other's accomplishments or egg each other on in interviews.

Let's look at just how Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler's friendship started and some of the sweet moments they've shared together that prove their friendship is real.

During a collaborative interview with E! News in 2019, Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler revealed that their friendship began in high school and before either became famous. The story goes that the two met during breakfast at a Los Angeles restaurant called Jerry's Deli when Aniston was dating a mutual friend of Sandler's, whom, funnily enough, neither Aniston nor Sandler could name, and the rest is history.

In an interview on "Jimmy Kimmel Live," Aniston noted, "We were friends before 'Friends.'" Sandler then chimed in: "I knew I was going to be friends with her. I didn't know I was going to be making movies with her. We both didn't know that, we were young and we didn't have jobs quite then," he told Jimmy Kimmel.

The two have since made three romantic comedies together, including "Just Go With It (2011)," Netflix's "Murder Mystery (2019)," and "Murder Mystery 2 (2023)."

When asked if they hung out while filming together, Aniston confirmed that she and Sandler not only hung out quite frequently during filming, but they also spent a lot of time with each other's families. In an interview with ScreenSlam, Aniston explained their hangouts followed a routine. "We would wrap. We would go to have dinner together. There was this corner we called the magic corner because the sunset was really beautiful."

But, even more notably, the duo noted that Sandler and his family often spent time at Aniston's house. In comedic Sandler fashion, he described what each time at Aniston's home entailed as if he were a kid going to a friend's house with Aniston taking the role of a mom.

"She makes pizzas, she gives us M&Ms," Sandler told ScreenSlam. "There's a lot of nice TVs. I hide in one of her rooms. She hangs out with my wife and all their other friends. I tend to hide."

But one of Sandler's favorite parts of going to Aniston's house involved her dance moves. "My favorite image is when a good song comes on, and I look across the room. I see Aniston hear a good song and start dancing. She's a great little dancer."

In 2022, Aniston attended a candy-themed bat mitzvah for Adam Sandler's daughter, Sunny. The extravagant bash occurred at Hillcrest Country Club in Los Angeles and included surprise performances by Charlie Puth and Halsey. Also in attendance were Taylor Lautner, Judd Apatow and his wife Leslie Mann, and Disney stars Peyton List and Karan Brar (per Us Weekly).

Based on a Tiktok video posted by @lilah.newkirk, the party looked like a complete blast with colorful décor, dancing, and fun party favors. According to another guest in attendance, "Jennifer was mingling with her friends who were there," a source told Us Weekly. "Everyone was walking around and dancing. She looked like she was having fun."

Adam Sandler's other daughter, Sadie, celebrated her Bat Mitzvah in 2019, which featured a performance by Adam Levine. Although Aniston could not attend, she definitely came through with her gift. According to Sandler, "She had stuff going on. So, she sent a gift — one of the best gifts Sadie received...$1.8 million," he said on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!". "We couldn't believe it, and Sadie blew it."

Considering the pair has been friends for over 30 years, their bond has become akin to a familial one — and with two lovable, comedic icons such as Aniston and Sandler, it only makes sense their bond would continue to blossom, especially after getting the opportunity to work together. "We must have been real family in another life," Aniston said of Sandler to Jimmy Kimmel.

"He's such a mensch and you just love each other, he takes you in, and I'm very much the same way," Aniston told E! News, "and then you become family. It's like second nature." Considering Sandler's list of life-long friends, Aniston's perception of him only makes sense. Most of Sandler's friendships have lasted decades with many familiar actors and comedians he's worked with, including David Spade, Rob Schneider, Chris Rock, and Kevin James.

But Aniston and Sandler's friendship goes beyond their own — their friendship has created a giant group of friends they consider family. Sandler added, "And Jen has a family of friends and I have a family of friends, and we all hang," per E! News.

As if the friendship between Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler couldn't get any sweeter, they revealed to Entertainment Tonight that they even have nicknames for each other. When asked what the best part about working with Sandler was, Aniston responded, "Definitely the nicknames."

In another interview, Sandler revealed to IMDb, "She calls me 'Bubbe,'" but Aniston added that she also likes to call him "Sandman," too.

As far as Aniston's nickname goes, Sandler calls her "The One and Only" or "Anna Burger." Sandler explained to IMDb, "It just made sense, right? It's been going for a while."

As far as when the nicknames started or where their origin came from, Aniston explained that "They just kinda happened." She added, "Well, 'Sandman,' that just fell out of my face ... Everybody calls you 'The Sandman.'"

"I've been hearing that since childhood," Sandler said. He's even used the clever play on his last name to refer to himself.

There's no question that Jen Aniston has gone through her fair share of heartbreaks over the years, including her divorce from Justin Theroux and her messy divorce from Brad Pitt, which became very public after news broke that he cheated on her with Angelina Jolie. But Aniston is one strong, admirable woman who hasn't let heartbreak get her down. She even reconciled a friendship with Brad Pitt that they maintained over the years.

Although Aniston is currently single as of writing this, the "Murder Mystery" star is open to a relationship, according to Allure Magazine. Sandler has a few insights on his friend's future partner and only wants her to be happily single or taken. "I think it'll just naturally happen for the girl, and whoever it is will be a very lucky person," Sandler told E! News. "She's solid any way she is — alone, with anybody. She's just a strong, great lady."

When asked if rumors about him disapproving of her dating choices were true, he said, "Absolutely not. I love her. Always pulling for my Jen. I mean, we talk about stuff and possibilities in life, and whoever Jen connects with, I'm psyched for that person, because she's a 12 of a person," per E! News.

Adam Sandler, who won his People's Choice award in 2011, presented Jennifer Aniston with her own PCA for best comedic actress in 2019. Before announcing her name, he gushed over Aniston in a heartfelt speech. In part, he tells viewers, "She's exactly the way you think she is, everybody. And I love her. I truly love this girl, and I love just being friends with her, and I love making movies with her." 

As Aniston approached the stage, she was visibly in awe by Sandler's words and hugged him. "Adam! When did you get so mushy?" she stated. "Oh my God, I love this man with all my heart," Aniston began. "This is one of the kindest human beings you'll ever meet, besides him being one of the most talented, and generous, and just stunning, everything."

But this isn't the first time the two have gushed over each other at an award show. After both won a People's Choice for best comedy in 2019, Sandler couldn't help but praise Aniston yet again. "Aniston, you are an icon," he begins in his acceptance speech. "Thanks for still doing movies with me."

At the premiere of their new movie "Murder Mystery 2," Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston didn't hold back from poking fun at each other when it came to a big miscommunication in their wardrobe choices for the red carpet event. Although their run-in was just a short interaction, it was enough to give bystanders an inside look into their hilarious sibling-like banter.

During Aniston's red-carpet interview with Entertainment Tonight, she saw Sandler walking up in sweats and shouted to him in utter disbelief, "What the hell are you doing?!" She turned to the cameras and said, "I'm not standing next to him!" Sander walked up beside her until he was in the camera frame, giving viewers a better idea of what she was talking about. "You said sweatshirt... You texted me, 'Please wear your sweatshirt!'" he said. Aniston then clarified, "I said, please don't wear your sweatshirt!" Aniston then turned to the camera looking completely puzzled, and returned to her interview, continuing as normal.

It's no secret Jennifer Aniston is quite the health and wellness advocate, so much so that she's even tried getting her friend Adam Sandler on the bandwagon, too. 

"[Jennifer is] certainly not afraid to have me show up on a set, and in my trailer is a whole bunch of whatever shake I should be drinking and it's usually green," he joked to The Hollywood Reporter. "And I actually drink it so I can look her in the eye."

But Aniston isn't alone in trying to better Sandler's lifestyle habits — his wife has made her efforts and appreciates any help she can get. In an interview with Hollywood Reporter, Sandler shared that Aniston and his wife, who are also close friends, take turns trying to make him healthier. "Like, they want me to stretch more — eventually be able to touch my toes, which I'm about 9 inches away from," he said.

In an appearance on "The Tonight Show" with Jimmy Fallon, Aniston shared that she and Sandler will make smoothies together and even give him Chinese herbs when working on set. "He's so concerned with taking care of everybody else, which he really does, and he doesn't take care of himself. I'm sorry to call you out on national television Adam, but you have to know this," she said.

In January 2020, Jennifer Aniston won a SAG award for outstanding performance by a female actor in a drama series for her role in "The Morning Show." In her acceptance speech, she gave a shoutout to longtime friend Adam Sandler for his performance in "Uncut Gems," which did not receive any nominations for the SAG awards or the Oscars, which many deemed as deserving of a nomination which was controversially snubbed.

"Oh, Adam Sandler, your performance is extraordinary, your magic is real, buddy. I love you," Aniston said onstage.

In response to Aniston's speech, Sandler returned the compliments to his longtime friend in a sweet Instagram post. The post featured a picture of Aniston with her SAG award and the caption: "Congrats to the great @jenniferaniston for her SAG award and her just being the best."

Sandler also paid tribute in another Instagram post to friend and fellow co-star Kathy Bates for her Oscar nomination in the drama "Richard Jewell." The post featured a photo of Kathy Bates in Adam Sandler's movie "The Waterboy" as the mother of Bobby Boucher, who Adam Sandler played. The caption was also written from the perspective of Bobby Boucher, and it reads: "Bad news: Sandman gets no love from the Academy. Good news: Sandman can stop wearing suits. Congrats to all my friends who got nominated, especially Mama."