Angelina Jolie is an American actress, filmmaker, humanitarian, and one of the most prominent figures in the entertainment industry. Known for her striking beauty, exceptional acting talent, and extensive humanitarian work, Jolie has earned widespread acclaim both on-screen and off-screen. Throughout her career, she has been a powerful voice for social causes, an advocate for refugees, and a devoted mother.
Early Life and Background
Angelina Jolie Voight was born on June 4, 1975, in Los Angeles, California, to actors Jon Voight and Marcheline Bertrand. From an early age, Jolie was exposed to the world of film and acting through her parents. Despite the glamour surrounding her upbringing, she had a somewhat troubled childhood. Her parents divorced when she was young, and she had a strained relationship with her father.
Jolie attended Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute as a teenager, where she studied acting, but her early experiences with bullying in school and emotional struggles made her teenage years challenging. She also dabbled in modeling and appeared in music videos before fully embarking on an acting career.
Rise to Fame: Acting Career
Jolie’s acting career began in earnest in the mid-1990s, but her breakthrough role came in 1998 with the HBO biopic “Gia,” where she portrayed supermodel Gia Carangi. The film, which depicted the life of the drug-addicted supermodel, garnered Jolie her first Golden Globe Award and established her as a serious actress.
Her international stardom skyrocketed in 1999 when she starred in the film “Girl, Interrupted,” playing the character of Lisa, a charismatic sociopath. Jolie’s performance won her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, and she quickly became a household name.
Other notable films in her career include:
- “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” (2001): Jolie portrayed the iconic video game character Lara Croft, a role that solidified her status as an action star.
- “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” (2005): A hit action-comedy co-starring Brad Pitt, which also brought immense media attention due to their off-screen relationship.
- “A Mighty Heart” (2007): A critically acclaimed drama based on the life of Mariane Pearl, wife of journalist Daniel Pearl.
- “Changeling” (2008): Directed by Clint Eastwood, her performance as Christine Collins earned her another Academy Award nomination.
- “Maleficent” (2014): Jolie played the title character in this live-action Disney fantasy, which became a huge box office success, earning her recognition among a new generation of fans.
Jolie’s versatility allowed her to seamlessly transition between action roles, such as in “Wanted” (2008), to dramatic and biographical roles, displaying her wide range as an actress.
Directing and Filmmaking
Angelina Jolie has also proven herself behind the camera. Her directorial debut came with the 2011 film “In the Land of Blood and Honey,” a war drama set during the Bosnian War. She followed this with the critically acclaimed “Unbroken” (2014), based on the true story of Olympian and war hero Louis Zamperini, and “First They Killed My Father” (2017), a poignant drama about the Cambodian genocide, which was nominated for a Golden Globe.
Jolie’s passion for telling human stories, often about war, survival, and resilience, reflects her broader commitment to humanitarian issues.
Humanitarian Work
Beyond her success in Hollywood, Angelina Jolie is also one of the world’s most high-profile humanitarian advocates. Her work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) began in 2001, when she was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador. In this role, Jolie traveled extensively to conflict zones and refugee camps around the world, including places like Sierra Leone, Cambodia, Pakistan, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
In 2012, she was promoted to UNHCR Special Envoy due to her significant contributions. Over the years, she has advocated for displaced persons, women’s rights, and the victims of war and sexual violence. Her efforts culminated in launching initiatives like the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI) alongside UK Foreign Secretary William Hague, focusing on ending sexual violence in conflict zones.
Some highlights of her humanitarian efforts include:
- Establishing the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation in Cambodia, which focuses on community development and conservation.
- Founding the Jolie-Pitt Foundation with Brad Pitt to aid humanitarian causes globally.
- Being awarded the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the 2013 Governors Awards, recognizing her work as a human rights activist.
Personal Life and Media Attention
Jolie’s personal life has often been the subject of intense media scrutiny. She has been married three times, to actors Jonny Lee Miller (1996-1999), Billy Bob Thornton (2000-2003), and most famously, to Brad Pitt (2014-2016). Jolie and Pitt’s relationship, often referred to as “Brangelina,” was highly publicized after they co-starred in “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.”
The couple has six children, three of whom are adopted: Maddox, Pax, and Zahara, and three biological children: Shiloh, and twins Knox and Vivienne. Jolie’s role as a mother has played a significant part in her life, and she has openly spoken about how motherhood influenced her worldview and humanitarian work.
Jolie’s personal challenges, including her public decision to undergo a preventive double mastectomy in 2013 due to a high genetic risk for breast cancer, have been inspirational for many. She later had her ovaries removed as a preventive measure, highlighting the importance of women’s health and genetic testing.
Legacy and Influence
Angelina Jolie’s influence stretches far beyond acting. She has become a role model for many due to her courage, empathy, and resilience. Her philanthropic endeavors, combined with her powerful on-screen performances, have solidified her place as one of the most respected figures in the public eye.
Jolie’s career spans over two decades, and her impact on both the film industry and humanitarian causes continues to inspire millions. Through her films, she has showcased incredible versatility, playing everything from action heroes to real-life figures, while off-screen, she has shown an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place.
Conclusion
Angelina Jolie is more than just an actress; she is a global humanitarian, a filmmaker, and an influential public figure. Her dedication to social causes, combined with her contributions to cinema, make her one of the most compelling personalities in modern pop culture. Through her work, Jolie continues to inspire, entertain, and advocate for those in need, leaving a lasting legacy both in Hollywood and the global humanitarian landscape.
