Angelina Jolie is one of the most fascinating figures in Hollywood and beyond. Known for her striking beauty, bold acting choices, humanitarian efforts, and high-profile personal life, Jolie has been in the public eye for decades.
She is not just a movie star, but a global icon who has used her fame to make a real impact. Here is everything you need to know about Angelina Jolie, from her iconic roles to her relationships and humanitarian work.
Iconic Roles
Angelina Jolie has a career filled with memorable performances. She first caught major attention with the 1999 film Girl, Interrupted, where she played Lisa Rowe, a charismatic sociopath. Her powerful performance won her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
She quickly became known for her action roles. In Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001), Jolie played the adventurous archaeologist Lara Croft, a part that made her an international star. She later embraced action and drama in films like Mr. and Mrs. Smith (2005), Wanted (2008), and Salt (2010).
Jolie has also taken on more dramatic and complex roles, like Christine Collins in Changeling (2008), for which she received another Oscar nomination. In 2014, she enchanted audiences as the dark fairy Maleficent, a role she reprised in Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019).
Behind the camera, Jolie has also directed and produced several films, including In the Land of Blood and Honey (2011) and Unbroken (2014), showcasing her talents beyond acting.
Relationships
Angelina Jolie’s relationships have been highly publicized over the years. Early in her career, she married British actor Jonny Lee Miller in 1996 after meeting on the set of Hackers. They divorced in 1999 but remained friends.
In 2000, she married actor Billy Bob Thornton. Their whirlwind relationship made headlines for its intensity, but they divorced in 2003. Her most famous relationship was with Brad Pitt, which began after they met on the set of Mr. and Mrs. Smith. The couple, dubbed “Brangelina” by the media, became a cultural phenomenon. They married in 2014 after years together but filed for divorce in 2016.
Jolie and Pitt share six children, three of whom are adopted. Throughout her personal life, Jolie has often spoken about her deep connection with her children and how motherhood changed her perspective and priorities.
Humanitarian Work
Beyond Hollywood, Angelina Jolie has made a name for herself as a committed humanitarian. She became a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 2001 after filming Tomb Raider in Cambodia and witnessing the refugee crisis firsthand. Over the years, she has traveled to more than 20 countries, advocating for refugees, displaced persons, and victims of conflict. In 2012, she was promoted to Special Envoy to the UNHCR, taking on broader diplomatic roles.
Jolie has received numerous honors for her humanitarian efforts, including the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and an honorary damehood from Queen Elizabeth II. In addition to her UN work, she founded the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation, which focuses on conservation, education, and health initiatives, mainly in Cambodia. She is also a vocal advocate for women’s rights, children’s education, and the fight against sexual violence in conflict zones.
The Legacy of Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie is much more than just a movie star. Her life and career reflect a deep commitment to meaningful storytelling, both on screen and in real life. Whether she is portraying a complex character, raising her six children, or advocating for the world’s most vulnerable people, Jolie brings passion, intelligence, and fierce dedication to everything she does.
As she continues to act, direct, and campaign for change, Angelina Jolie remains one of the most influential and admired figures in the world.