Angelina Jolie is a Hollywood icon whose illustrious career spans over two decades, marked by standout performances and numerous accolades. She burst onto the scene with her Oscar-winning role in Girl, Interrupted and solidified her status as an action star with Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. Jolie’s talent shines across genres, from the powerful drama Changeling, which earned her an Academy Award nomination, to the enchanting Maleficent.
Beyond acting, she has made her mark as a director with films like Unbroken. A dedicated humanitarian, Jolie’s work with the UNHCR has garnered global recognition, including the prestigious Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Angelina Jolie was born on June 4, 1975, in Los Angeles, California. She is the daughter of actors Jon Voight and Marcheline Bertrand. Jolie spent much of her childhood in New York before moving to Los Angeles at the age of 11.
She attended the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute for two years and later enrolled at Beverly Hills High School. She also studied drama at New York University. In addition to acting in theatre productions, she modeled and appeared in music videos.
Jolie’s first major movie role was in Hackers (1995), during which she met her first husband, British actor Jonny Lee Miller. However, the film failed to find an audience. In 1997, Jolie gained attention for her portrayal of the wife of Alabama’s segregationist governor in the television movie George Wallace, earning a Golden Globe Award for her performance. The following year, she won another Golden Globe for her role as a supermodel struggling with drug addiction in Gia (1998).
Breakthrough and Success
Jolie’s breakthrough role came in 1999 when she starred in Girl, Interrupted as a mental patient alongside Winona Ryder. Her performance earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. This recognition propelled her career forward, leading to more prominent roles in action movies such as Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) and Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2003). She also played the mother of Alexander the Great in Oliver Stone’s Alexander (2004). In 2005, Jolie starred alongside Brad Pitt in Mr. & Mrs. Smith, which was a significant box-office success.
Throughout her career, Angelina Jolie has received numerous accolades for her acting skills and humanitarian work. Some of her notable awards include:
- Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (Girl, Interrupted)
- Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture (Girl, Interrupted)
- Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television (Gia)
- Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role (Girl, Interrupted)
- Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series (Gia)
- Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award (2013)
- Honorary Dame Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (2014)
- Tony Award for Best Play – Producer (“Best Man” revival)
- People’s Choice Awards Favorite Humanitarian Award (2013)
- MTV Movie Awards Global Superstar (2011)
- Kids’ Choice Awards Favorite Villain (Maleficent)
- Critics’ Choice Movie Awards Best Actress Action Hero (Wanted) In addition to her award-winning acting career, Jolie is also recognized as a filmmaker and director who has made notable war dramas such as In the Land of Blood and Honey (2011), Unbroken (2014), and First They Killed My Father (2017). She has also been involved with various humanitarian efforts throughout her career, focusing on conservation, education, and women’s rights.
- As a Special Envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees since 2012, she has undertaken many field missions to refugee camps and war zones worldwide to promote awareness about global issues affecting refugees. Her advocacy has led to numerous honors recognizing her humanitarian contributions.
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Humanitarian Work
Jolie has been heavily involved in humanitarian work, serving as a Special Envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and founding the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation to support various global initiatives.
Awards and Accolades
Jolie’s impressive body of work has earned her numerous awards and accolades, including:
- Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for “Girl, Interrupted”
- 3 Golden Globe Awards
- 2 Screen Actors Guild Awards
- Humanitarian Award from the United Nations
Overall, Angelina Jolie has established herself as one of the most versatile and acclaimed actresses of her generation, while also making a significant impact through her humanitarian efforts.