Angelina Jolie Parents: All About Jon Voight and Marcheline Bertrand

Angelina Jolie was born on June 4, 1975 in Los Angeles, California to actors Jon Voight and Marcheline Bertrand. Her parents’ divorce when she was just three years old had a profound impact on Jolie’s upbringing and worldview. Jolie was raised primarily by her mother, Marcheline, who sacrificed her own acting career to bring up Jolie and her brother as a single parent. Marcheline Bertrand played a significant role in shaping Jolie’s humanitarian values, as she was described as a kind and decent human being who was deeply bothered when she witnessed people being mistreated or marginalized. Jolie has spoken fondly of her mother’s compassion and her desire to make a positive difference in the world.

In contrast, Jolie’s relationship with her father, Jon Voight, has been more complex. Voight was an acclaimed and Oscar-nominated actor, but Jolie has been more critical of his parenting skills and involvement in her life. Jolie has said that while Voight was a talented performer, he was not an impressive parent in her eyes. The divorce and Jolie’s strained relationship with her father likely contributed to her strong sense of independence and her drive to use her platform to advocate for causes she cares about.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Jolie spent much of her childhood in New York before relocating to Los Angeles at the age of 11. During her adolescence, she attended the prestigious Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute for two years, honing her acting skills and developing her passion for the craft. Jolie also enrolled at Beverly Hills High School, where she continued to explore her interest in the performing arts, appearing in various theatre productions.

In addition to her work on the stage, Jolie also began modeling and appeared in music videos, which helped to raise her profile and expose her to a wider audience. These early experiences laid the groundwork for Jolie’s eventual breakthrough into the world of film and television. Her first major roles came in the late 1990s, when she starred in the television movies “George Wallace” and “Gia,” the latter of which earned her critical acclaim and foreshadowed the depth and complexity she would bring to her future performances.

Breakthrough and Acclaim

Jolie’s breakthrough moment came in 1999 when she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of a mental patient in the film “Girl, Interrupted.” This accolade cemented her status as a rising star in Hollywood and opened the door to a series of high-profile action films, including “Gone in Sixty Seconds,” the two “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” movies, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” and “Wanted.”

Jolie’s ability to seamlessly transition between action-oriented roles and more dramatic, character-driven parts demonstrated her versatility as an actress. She continued to earn critical acclaim for her work in films such as “The Good Shepherd,” “A Mighty Heart,” and “Changeling,” showcasing her range and depth as a performer. Jolie’s voice work, including her roles in the “Kung Fu Panda” animated films, further solidified her status as a multifaceted and talented artist.

Directing and Screenwriting

In addition to her acclaimed acting career, Jolie has also made a mark as a director and screenwriter. Her directorial debut, the Bosnian-language film “In the Land of Blood and Honey,” which she also wrote, was released in 2011 and received widespread critical praise. Jolie’s subsequent directing efforts, including “Unbroken” and “By the Sea,” in which she also starred, have further cemented her reputation as a skilled and thoughtful filmmaker.

Jolie’s foray into directing and screenwriting has been seen as a natural extension of her humanitarian interests and her desire to use her platform to tell important stories. Her films have often explored themes of conflict, displacement, and the human toll of war, reflecting her deep engagement with global issues and her commitment to using her art to raise awareness and inspire change.

Personal Life and Humanitarian Work

Jolie’s personal life has often garnered as much attention as her professional achievements, with her relationships and family life becoming the subject of intense media scrutiny. Her high-profile relationship with actor Brad Pitt, whom she met on the set of “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” captivated the public’s imagination, and the birth of their children caused media frenzies. Jolie and Pitt married in 2014, but their union ultimately ended in divorce two years later, sparking a contentious and widely publicized separation.

Despite the challenges of her personal life, Jolie has remained steadfast in her commitment to humanitarian work and global advocacy. In 2001, she was named a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and she has since traveled to numerous poverty-stricken and conflict-affected countries, using her platform to draw attention to the plight of refugees and displaced people. Jolie’s adoption of children from Cambodia, Ethiopia, and Vietnam has also been seen as an extension of her humanitarian efforts, as she has sought to provide loving homes for children in need.

Controversies and Criticisms

Jolie’s high-profile career and personal life have inevitably led to a significant amount of criticism and controversy. In 2013, she made headlines for her decision to undergo a preventive double mastectomy after discovering mutations in her BRCA1 gene, which significantly increased her risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer. While the decision was praised by many as a brave and proactive step, it also sparked debates about the ethics and implications of such medical interventions.

Jolie’s divorce from Brad Pitt has also been a contentious issue, with much of the public and media taking sides in the highly publicized separation. The custody battle and allegations of misconduct have further fueled the controversy, with Jolie’s reputation and parenting skills coming under intense scrutiny.

Legacy and Impact

Despite the controversies and criticisms that have surrounded her, Jolie remains a powerful and influential figure in Hollywood and beyond. She has used her platform to advocate for human rights on a global scale, drawing attention to issues such as refugee crises, women’s rights, and the impact of war on vulnerable populations. Jolie’s children have grown up with a strong awareness of adoption, race, and family, and they have all shown an interest in activism and social justice, following in their mother’s footsteps.

Jolie’s legacy extends beyond her acting and directing achievements. She has become a symbol of female empowerment and a role model for many, inspiring others to use their platform and resources to make a positive difference in the world. Jolie’s commitment to humanitarian work and her willingness to tackle complex and controversial issues have cemented her status as a trailblazer and a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry and beyond.