Angelina Jolie: A Versatile Icon Making Hits Both On and Off-Screen

Angelina Jolie: A Versatile Icon Making Hits Both On and Off-Screen

Written by Mark Williams, In Celeb, Published On
January 14, 2024
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Oscar-winning actress, director, activist, and worldwide superstar Angelina Jolie (b. 4 June 1975) became famous for playing “Lara Croft”. Jolie has directed, written, and produced films in recent years. Three of her six children are adopted. She is a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador.

In Hollywood’s fast-paced environment, a few icons go beyond the entertainment industry and have a lasting impact through their humanitarian work and performances. An icon like Angelina Jolie, who has achieved great success in acting and social activism, exemplifies this type of multidimensional icon.

Key Details About Angelina Jolie

Full Name Angelina Jolie Voight
Born June 4, 1975 in Los Angeles, California
Parents Jon Voight (father), Marcheline Bertrand (mother)
Spouses Jonny Lee Miller (1996-1999), Billy Bob Thornton (2000-2003), Brad Pitt (2014-2019)
Children 6 (3 adopted)
Citizenship American, Cambodian (honorary)
Net Worth $150 million (estimated as of 2023)
Oscar Win Best Supporting Actress for “Girl, Interrupted” (1999)

Early Life and Entry into Hollywood

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie was born in 1975 to actors Jon Voight and Marcheline Bertrand. She made her screen debut as a child in 1982’s “Lookin’ to Get Out” alongside her father. Though she initially struggled to establish herself, Jolie broke through with acclaimed performances in the late 1990s. This included an Emmy-winning portrayal of Cornelia Wallace in 1997’s “George Wallace” and a Golden Globe-winning performance as the tragic supermodel Gia Carangi in 1998’s “Gia.”

Rise Of Hollywood Icon Status

In 1999, Jolie received an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for playing psychotic Lisa Rowe in “Girl, Interrupted.” She became famous for “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” (2001), “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” (2005), and “Wanted” (2008). Her famous partnership with Brad Pitt captivated her. Jolie has been named Hollywood’s highest-paid actress and the world’s most beautiful and influential woman. Bold style, cat eyes, and huge lips have inspired many copies. Jolie combines famous fame and freedom.

Humanitarian Side Of Jolie

Angelina Jolie

As a successful actress, Jolie became passionate about humanitarian causes. Visits to third-world countries revealed harsh realities that motivated her to change. Since 2001, she has led over 40 UNHCR field visits to refugee camps and conflict zones in Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Pakistan, and Ecuador as a Goodwill Ambassador. Seeing the humanitarian catastrophe inspired Jolie to become a Special Envoy in 2012 and draw world attention to displacement and refugees. Jolie promotes “forgotten emergencies”—wars and disasters that escape global attention. She visited Sudan’s Darfur province during the 2003 conflict and Kabul after relief worker murders. She wants to raise awareness and inspire action. Jolie said she makes perilous journeys because “we cannot close ourselves off to information and ignore the fact that millions of people out there are suffering.”

 

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Championing Children’s Welfare, She Is Engaged Into

The innocence and vulnerability of conflict-affected children drive Jolie’s humanitarian work.  She supported refugee settlement schools in Kenya and Afghanistan, an HIV clinic in Cambodia, and conservation animal reserves in Namibia that doubled as health clinics for the San Bushmen population. Jolie has promoted adoption and fostering for orphans. The 2002 adoption of her oldest son, Maddox, from a Cambodian orphanage led to three further adoptions over the next seven years.

Advocacy against Sexual Violence in Military Conflict

Angelina Jolie

Jolie became an advocate against sexual violence against displaced women in conflict zones after witnessing systemic rape as a weapon of war in Bosnia. Her Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI) supplemented UK government efforts in 2012. Over 150 nations cooperated to treat and investigate genocide rape in wartorn countries like the Congo and Syria. Jolie and former British foreign secretary William Hague formed Jolie Pitt Dalton Helic, an NGO that promotes women’s rights worldwide.

Net Worth Of The Actor

As her box office earnings rose, Angelina Jolie began thinking more like an investor than a Hollywood star. To build her $120 million net worth, Angelina Jolie started with aspirational brand partnerships before investing in real estate, film production, a vineyard, and a fashion business.

Awards Angelina Jolie Received

Angelina Jolie

Year Award Category Outcome
2018 BAFTA Film Awards Best Film not in the English Language Nominated
2017 International Film Festival CAMERIMAGE Bronze Frog Winner
2015 Critics’ Choice Movie Awards Best Director Nominated
2011 Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical Nominated
2009 BAFTA Film Awards Best Leading Actress Nominated
2009 Critics’ Choice Awards Best Actress Nominated
2009 Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama Nominated
2008 Oscar Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role Nominated
2008 Independent Spirit Awards Best Female Lead Nominated
2008 Critics’ Choice Awards Best Actress Nominated
2008 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role Nominated
2008 Chicago Film Critics Association Best Actress Nominated
2008 London Film Critics Association Best Actress Nominated
2008 Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama Nominated
2007 Chicago Film Critics Association Best Actress Nominated
2007 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role Nominated
2007 Golden Satellite Award Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama Nominated
2000 Critics’ Choice Awards Best Supporting Actress Winner
2000 Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture Winner
1999 Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television Winner
1999 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role Winner
1999 Oscar Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role Winner
1998 Emmy Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie Nominated
1998 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries Winner

Conclusion

With an acclaimed acting career spanning over 20 years and an iconic persona in Hollywood, Angelina Jolie has balanced tremendous professional success with dedicated humanitarianism. Her fearless advocacy for refugees and vulnerable groups has bettered millions of lives globally. Jolie continues to leverage her platform and access to influence change on critical issues, from women’s rights to conservation.

FAQs

Q: When did Angelina Jolie start her acting career, and what was her breakthrough role?

Beginning her acting career young, Angelina Jolie finally broke through in the late ’90s with critically acclaimed roles, including Best Supporting Actress at the 1999 Academy Awards for “Girl, Interrupted” (1999).

Q: How did Angelina Jolie become involved in humanitarian work?

After becoming a UN Goodwill Ambassador in 2001, Jolie went on more than 40 field excursions to conflict zones and refugee camps to bring attention to the plight of refugees and those displaced by war.

Q: What initiative did Angelina Jolie launch to combat sexual violence in conflict zones?

To address and investigate sexual assault as a weapon of war in conflict-ridden areas, Jolie established the Preventing Sexual Assault Initiative (PSVI) in 2012.

Q: How has Angelina Jolie contributed to children’s welfare through her humanitarian efforts?

Jolie has been a pillar of support behind programs to help children without families through adoption and fostering, as well as by funding schools in refugee camps and medical centres for HIV-positive youngsters.

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