Angelina Jolie

Biography

Angelina Jolie, born Angelina Jolie Voight on June 4, 1975, in Los Angeles, California, is a name synonymous with Hollywood glamour, compelling performances, and unwavering humanitarian dedication. The daughter of actor Jon Voight and actress Marcheline Bertrand, Jolie carved out a unique path, becoming one of the most recognizable and influential figures in the entertainment industry and global advocacy.

Early Life and Artistic Roots

Jolie's early life was marked by her parents' acting careers, though she initially harbored a desire to be a funeral director. She attended the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute and later enrolled at New York University, honing her craft in acting. Her early roles included appearances in music videos and low-budget films, culminating in her first leading role in Hackers (1995), where she met her first husband, Jonny Lee Miller.

A Career Defined by Versatility and Impact

Jolie's career truly began to ascend in the late 1990s. Her powerful performance in the television film George Wallace (1997) earned her a Golden Globe, followed by critical acclaim and another Golden Globe for her portrayal of supermodel Gia Carangi in Gia (1998). The pinnacle of her early success arrived with Girl, Interrupted (1999), where her raw and captivating performance as Lisa Rowe garnered her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

The early 2000s cemented her status as a leading lady and action star. Her portrayal of the iconic video game heroine Lara Croft in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) catapulted her to international superstardom. She continued to impress audiences with a diverse range of roles, from the spy thriller Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005), which famously co-starred Brad Pitt, to the intense drama A Mighty Heart (2007) and the critically acclaimed Changeling (2008), for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.

Beyond acting, Jolie has also ventured into filmmaking, directing, and writing powerful dramas like In the Land of Blood and Honey (2011), Unbroken (2014), and First They Killed My Father (2017), often focusing on themes of conflict, human rights, and resilience. She has also lent her distinctive voice to animated hits like the Kung Fu Panda franchise and taken on iconic fantasy roles such as Maleficent in the Disney live-action films.

Humanitarian Work: A Life's Calling

Perhaps as impactful as her film career is Angelina Jolie's extensive humanitarian work. Her dedication to global issues began in 2001 when she was named a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). This role saw her undertake numerous field missions to refugee camps and war zones worldwide, bearing witness to suffering and advocating for the rights and safety of displaced people.

In 2012, her commitment deepened as she was appointed Special Envoy for UNHCR, focusing on major crises and engaging with diplomatic leaders. She has tirelessly championed causes including conservation, education, and women's rights, particularly in conflict-affected regions. Her efforts to combat sexual violence in conflict, co-founding the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI), have earned her international recognition, including an honorary Dame Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George.

Angelina Jolie's life and career stand as a testament to her multifaceted talent and profound compassion, making her a truly unique and influential figure on the global stage.