HOLLYWOOD - Brad Pitt's family members have defended their close relationship with his ex-wife Jennifer Aniston, insisting the actor remains on good terms with her too.

The couple divorced in 2005 after four and a half years of marriage, and despite the fact that Pitt has since started a family with Angelina Jolie, both his parents, Jane and William, and his siblings remain friendly with his former spouse.

Jane even paid a visit to Aniston's Malibu house on Father's Day for an afternoon chat, but Pitt's brother Doug is adamant there's nothing unusual about their continued contact.

He says, "Jennifer is a friend of Brad's. Why wouldn't she be a friend of ours?"

The odd family dynamic is reported to have infuriated Jolie, but earlier this month she denied reports of a rift. In fact, the mom of four maintained she was stunned at how welcoming Pitt's family was--both to her and her young brood.

She says, "When I first met them I came in with two adopted children from other countries and I didn't know how they were going to be. But they are equally loving with them."

http://www.hollywood.com/news/Pitts_Family_Defends_Close_Relationship_with_Aniston/4289661