Angelina Jolie is an American actress, filmmaker, and humanitarian known for her powerful on-screen performances, philanthropy, and advocacy for refugees and human rights. Over her career, she has become one of the most iconic and influential figures in Hollywood.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Angelina Jolie Voight was born on June 4, 1975, in Los Angeles, California, to actor Jon Voight and actress Marcheline Bertrand. Growing up in a family rooted in Hollywood, she was exposed to the entertainment industry from a young age. Despite this, Jolie’s childhood was not without its challenges. After her parents’ separation, she struggled with feelings of alienation and rebellion, which would later influence her edgy and complex screen personas.
Jolie began her acting career in theater and then transitioned to films in the early 1990s. Her breakthrough role came in “Hackers” (1995), where her charisma and distinct screen presence caught the attention of both audiences and critics. However, it was her performance in “Gia” (1998), a biopic about supermodel Gia Carangi, that solidified her as a serious actress. The role earned her a Golden Globe Award and widespread acclaim for portraying the tragic life of a troubled model.
Rise to Stardom: “Girl, Interrupted” and Action Roles
Jolie’s ascent to superstardom came with her role as Lisa Rowe, a rebellious and charismatic patient in a psychiatric hospital, in “Girl, Interrupted” (1999). Her portrayal was intense and captivating, earning her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Her performance, opposite Winona Ryder, made her one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actresses.
In the early 2000s, Jolie transitioned into action roles, establishing herself as a leading star in the genre. Her most famous role during this period was as Lara Croft in “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” (2001). While the film received mixed reviews, it was a major box office success and turned Jolie into an international action star. She continued in this vein with other action-packed films like “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” (2005), “Wanted” (2008), and “Salt” (2010), showcasing her physical prowess and dynamic presence on screen.
Humanitarian Work and Global Advocacy
Angelina Jolie’s humanitarian work is as significant as her film career. In 2001, during the filming of “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” in Cambodia, she witnessed the plight of refugees firsthand, which spurred her to become more deeply involved in global humanitarian issues. Later that year, she became a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Jolie’s commitment to human rights has been unwavering. She has traveled to over 60 countries, often visiting conflict zones, to raise awareness about the conditions of refugees and displaced people. She has also spoken out on issues such as women’s rights, education for girls, and the fight against sexual violence in conflict. In 2012, she was promoted to Special Envoy for the UNHCR due to her tireless work and dedication to refugee causes.
In addition to her advocacy, Jolie co-founded several organizations, including the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative and the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation, which supports humanitarian efforts in Cambodia.
Directing Career and Artistic Vision
Jolie expanded her talents to behind the camera, making her directorial debut with “In the Land of Blood and Honey” (2011), a love story set against the backdrop of the Bosnian War. The film was praised for its unflinching portrayal of war and its consequences, demonstrating Jolie’s ambition to tackle complex and socially relevant issues.
Her most acclaimed directorial work came in “Unbroken” (2014), a biographical war drama about American Olympic athlete and World War II hero Louis Zamperini. The film was both a critical and commercial success, showcasing her ability to helm large-scale productions.
Jolie continued to direct with “By the Sea” (2015), a more personal and introspective drama in which she also starred alongside her then-husband Brad Pitt. Although the film received mixed reviews, it highlighted her desire to explore themes of grief, love, and intimacy.
Personal Life: Relationships, Motherhood, and Health Advocacy
Jolie’s personal life has often been a topic of intense media scrutiny. She was married three times: first to actor Jonny Lee Miller (1996-1999), then to Billy Bob Thornton (2000-2003), and later to Brad Pitt (2014-2016), her co-star in “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.” Her relationship with Pitt, popularly referred to as “Brangelina,” was highly publicized, especially as the couple adopted children and later had biological children together.
Jolie is a devoted mother to six children—three of whom were adopted from Cambodia, Ethiopia, and Vietnam. Her role as a mother is central to her identity, and she has often spoken about the importance of family in her life.
In 2013, Jolie made headlines when she revealed she had undergone a preventive double mastectomy after discovering she carried a gene mutation (BRCA1) that increased her risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Her decision to share her story publicly was widely praised for raising awareness about genetic testing and women’s health. In 2015, she underwent surgery to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes as a further preventive measure.
Recent Work and Return to Acting
In recent years, Angelina Jolie has continued to take on high-profile acting roles. She reprised her role as the dark fairy Maleficent in “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” (2019), and in 2021, she joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Thena in “Eternals”. Her return to acting in big-budget films demonstrates her enduring star power and appeal across different genres.
Jolie has also expressed her desire to focus more on her humanitarian work and directing in the future. Her impact as both a filmmaker and a humanitarian continues to shape her legacy.
Conclusion
Angelina Jolie is more than just a Hollywood star. With a career spanning over two decades, she has proven herself to be a talented actress, a visionary director, and a dedicated humanitarian. Her ability to balance her work in film with her activism has made her one of the most respected and admired figures in the entertainment industry. As she continues to evolve, Jolie remains a powerful and influential voice on and off the screen.
