History of Angelina Jolie in Timeline

Share: FB Share X Share Reddit Share Reddit Share
By Popular Timelines Editorial Team  · Updated:
Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie is a highly acclaimed American actress, filmmaker, and humanitarian. Rising to international fame in the late 1990s, she won an Academy Award for her role in 'Girl, Interrupted' and gained blockbuster status with films like 'Lara Croft: Tomb Raider' and 'Maleficent'. Beyond her successful career in Hollywood, Jolie is widely recognized for her dedicated advocacy work. She served as a Special Envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for over two decades, focusing on displaced populations, human rights, and women’s issues. Her multifaceted career balances artistic excellence with global philanthropic influence, making her one of the most prominent and influential public figures of her generation.

5 hours ago : Vivienne Jolie-Pitt Petitions to Legally Drop 'Pitt' from Her Last Name

Vivienne Jolie-Pitt, daughter of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, has officially filed a legal petition to remove 'Pitt' from her surname, continuing a trend of the couple's children distancing themselves from their father's name amidst ongoing family legal complexities.

June 4, 1975: Birth of Angelina Jolie

On June 4, 1975, Angelina Jolie Voight was born, marking the beginning of the life of the future American actress, filmmaker, and humanitarian.

1976: Parents' Separation

In 1976, Angelina Jolie's parents separated, leading her mother to give up her own acting career to raise Jolie and her brother.

1982: Acting Debut in Lookin' to Get Out

At the age of seven in 1982, Angelina Jolie made her first appearance on screen with a bit part in the film Lookin' to Get Out, which starred her father, Jon Voight.

Loading Video...

1991: Early Music Video Appearances

In 1991, Angelina Jolie began her professional acting career by appearing in music videos, specifically Lenny Kravitz's "Stand by My Woman" and Antonello Venditti's "Alta Marea."

Loading Video...

1993: Cyborg 2 release

Angelina Jolie's professional film career began in earnest in 1993 with her role in the low-budget production Cyborg 2.

Loading Video...

1993: Acting Expansion and Album Cover Feature

During 1993, Jolie continued her professional work by appearing in The Lemonheads' "It's About Time" music video, Meat Loaf's "Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through" music video, and was featured on the cover of the Widespread Panic album, Everyday.

Loading Video...

1993: Professional film debut in Cyborg 2

In 1993, Angelina Jolie launched her professional acting career by landing her first leading role as a near-human robot in the science-fiction film Cyborg 2. Her dissatisfaction with the final product was so significant that she chose not to audition for another role for a full year.

Loading Video...

1993: Publication of the source memoir Girl, Interrupted

In 1993, author Susanna Kaysen published her memoir titled Girl, Interrupted, which would later serve as the basis for the 1999 film featuring Angelina Jolie.

Girl, Interrupted: A Memoir
Girl, Interrupted: A Memoir

1995: Breakthrough roles in Without Evidence and Hackers

During 1995, Jolie appeared in the independent film Without Evidence and starred in the major studio production Hackers. While Hackers underperformed at the box office, the role served as her professional breakthrough and eventually gained a cult following after its home video release.

Loading Video...

1995: Leading role in Hackers

In 1995, Jolie took on her first major leading role in the film Hackers, marking a significant step in her acting career.

Loading Video...

1996: Career Breakthrough in 1996 Films

In 1996, Angelina Jolie established her acting presence through a series of notable roles. She starred in the modern Romeo and Juliet adaptation Love Is All There Is, appeared in the road film Mojave Moon, and portrayed the character Legs in the film Foxfire, receiving critical praise for her ability to elevate the character beyond the scripted stereotypes.

Loading Video...

1997: 1997 Career Activities

During 1997, Angelina Jolie appeared in the thriller film Playing God, starred in the CBS miniseries True Women, and featured in the music video for the Rolling Stones song "Anybody Seen My Baby?".

Loading Video...

1997: Starring role in George Wallace

During 1997, Jolie gained recognition for her performance in the television film George Wallace.

Loading Video...

1997: Golden Globe Win and Emmy Nomination for George Wallace

In 1997, Angelina Jolie earned critical acclaim and a Golden Globe Award for her portrayal of Cornelia Wallace in the TNT film George Wallace. Her performance in this biographical movie, which centers on Alabama Governor George Wallace, also resulted in a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie.

Loading Video...

1998: Critical Acclaim and Awards for Gia

In 1998, Angelina Jolie received widespread recognition for her powerful performance as Gia Carangi in the HBO television film 'Gia'. Her portrayal of the late supermodel's struggles with addiction and health earned her a Golden Globe Award for the second consecutive year, an Emmy Award nomination, and her first Screen Actors Guild Award.

Loading Video...

1998: Release of Playing by Heart and Breakthrough Performance Recognition

In 1998, Angelina Jolie starred in the ensemble film Playing by Heart alongside Sean Connery, Gillian Anderson, and Ryan Phillippe. The film earned positive reviews, with critics specifically highlighting Jolie's performance as a standout. Consequently, in 1998, she was honored with the Breakthrough Performance Award from the National Board of Review.

Loading Video...

1998: Starring role in Gia

In 1998, Jolie furthered her television acting career by starring in the biographical film Gia.

Loading Video...

1999: Release of Pushing Tin and The Bone Collector

In 1999, Angelina Jolie appeared in two major films: the comedy-drama Pushing Tin, where she portrayed the wife of Billy Bob Thornton's character, and the thriller The Bone Collector, where she starred alongside Denzel Washington. Both films received mixed to negative critical reviews, with Jolie's performances in both projects facing specific criticism from reviewers in 1999.

Loading Video...

1999: Release of Girl, Interrupted and Awards Recognition

In 1999, Angelina Jolie starred as Lisa in the film adaptation of Girl, Interrupted, receiving critical acclaim and winning the Golden Globe Award, the Screen Actors Guild Award, and the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Loading Video...

1999: Academy Award win for Girl, Interrupted

In 1999, Jolie earned the prestigious Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her powerful performance in the drama Girl, Interrupted.

Loading Video...

2000: Release of Gone in 60 Seconds

In 2000, Angelina Jolie starred in her first summer blockbuster, 'Gone in 60 Seconds,' which achieved significant commercial success by earning $237.2 million internationally. While she played the role of a mechanic and ex-girlfriend to Nicolas Cage's character, the performance received mixed critical feedback, though Jolie personally found the project to be a refreshing change of pace following her intense work in 'Girl, Interrupted.'

Loading Video...

2001: On-screen reunion with Jon Voight

In 2001, Angelina Jolie and her father, Jon Voight, attempted to reconcile their strained relationship by appearing together in the film Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.

Loading Video...

2001: Lara Croft: Tomb Raider

In 2001, Jolie solidified her status as a major Hollywood leading lady through her portrayal of the iconic title character in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.

Loading Video...

September 12, 2002: Legal Name Change

On September 12, 2002, a court granted Angelina Jolie's petition to legally remove her father's surname, Voight, and officially adopt her middle name as her legal surname.

2004: Voice Role in Shark Tale

Angelina Jolie provided a voice role for the animated film Shark Tale, which was released in 2004.

Loading Video...

2004: Reflecting on her youth as a punk kid

In 2004, Angelina Jolie reflected on her turbulent teenage years, stating that despite her success and growth, she remained at heart a punk kid with tattoos who had once dabbled in alternative interests.

2005: Success with Mr. & Mrs. Smith

In 2005, Jolie continued her commercial success in the film industry by starring in the action movie Mr. & Mrs. Smith.

Loading Video...

January 27, 2007: Death of Marcheline Bertrand

On January 27, 2007, Angelina Jolie's mother, Marcheline Bertrand, passed away due to ovarian cancer, an event that served as a catalyst for Jolie to eventually rebuild her relationship with her father.

2007: Critical Acclaim for A Mighty Heart

In 2007, Angelina Jolie earned significant critical praise for her dramatic performance in the film A Mighty Heart.

Loading Video...

2008: Role in Wanted

Building on her action-star reputation, Jolie appeared in the film Wanted in 2008.

Loading Video...

2008: Academy Award Nomination and Kung Fu Panda

During 2008, Jolie received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her role in Changeling and began her voice acting work in the Kung Fu Panda franchise.

Loading Video...

2010: Starring in Salt

Jolie maintained her commercial success in 2010 by starring in the high-profile action thriller Salt.

Loading Video...

2011: Directorial Debut with In the Land of Blood and Honey

In 2011, Angelina Jolie expanded her career into filmmaking by writing and directing the war drama In the Land of Blood and Honey.

Loading Video...

2014: Directing Unbroken

In 2014, Angelina Jolie directed the war drama Unbroken as part of her growing career as a filmmaker.

Loading Video...

2014: Release of Maleficent

In 2014, Jolie starred in the fantasy film Maleficent, further diversifying her filmography with large-scale cinematic roles.

Loading Video...

2016: Conclusion of Kung Fu Panda Franchise Role

By 2016, Angelina Jolie concluded her tenure as a voice actor for the Kung Fu Panda franchise, having contributed to the series since 2008.

Loading Video...

2017: Directing First They Killed My Father

Angelina Jolie wrote and directed the biographical war drama First They Killed My Father, which was released in 2017.

Loading Video...

2019: Release of Maleficent: Mistress of Evil

Jolie returned to her fantasy role in 2019 with the sequel film Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.

Loading Video...

2021: Appearance in Eternals

In 2021, Jolie entered the superhero genre by joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe cast for the film Eternals.

2024: Directorial Projects and Tony Award Win

In 2024, Jolie saw the release of her film Maria, the directorial release of Without Blood, and her production of The Outsiders, which won the Tony Award for Best Musical.

Loading Video...