JENNIFER ANISTON - MACLAINE: 'I'M DATING VAUGHN!'

Veteran actress SHIRLEY MacLAINE has laughed off reports her RUMOR HAS IT co-star JENNIFER ANISTON is dating VINCE VAUGHN, jokingly insisting she is romancing the actor herself.

MacLaine formed a close friendship with Aniston on the set of the movie earlier this year (05), of which filming took place during the FRIENDS beauty's high-profile split from ex-husband BRAD PITT.

The redhead actress has often attacked the paparazzi and gossip magazines for harassing Aniston, and offered herself as an alternative partner for Vaughn, who Aniston is reportedly dating.

MacLaine says, "I'd like to confirm that Vince Vaughn prefers older women and that Jennifer is just my beard. It was me in the car with Vince in Arizona and I was looped.

"I'm having a ball and Jennifer is taking all the guff."

MacLaine has praised Aniston for being so noble with the media, adding, "If I were Jennifer, I'd slug most of you. Leave the girl alone. People are invading her privacy to an unconscionable level."