From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Angelina Jolie made an impact.
Angelina Jolie is a highly acclaimed American actress, filmmaker, and humanitarian. Recognized as one of Hollywood's highest-paid actresses, she has received numerous awards, including two Academy Awards, a Tony Award, and three Golden Globe Awards. Beyond her acting career, Jolie is known for her humanitarian work, focusing on refugee rights and conservation.
In 1982, Angelina Jolie had a bit part in her father's film Lookin' to Get Out at age seven.
In 1991, Angelina Jolie appeared in music videos for Lenny Kravitz's "Stand by My Woman" and Antonello Venditti's "Alta Marea".
In 1993, Angelina Jolie appeared in music videos for The Lemonheads's "It's About Time" and Meat Loaf's "Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through". She also appeared on the cover of the Widespread Panic album Everyday.
In 1993, Angelina Jolie played her first leading role in the direct-to-video science-fiction sequel Cyborg 2.
In 1993, Angelina Jolie's film career began with the low-budget production Cyborg 2.
In 1995, Angelina Jolie got her first leading role in Hackers.
In 1996, Angelina Jolie appeared in Love Is All There Is, Mojave Moon and Foxfire.
In 1997, Angelina Jolie starred in the television film George Wallace.
In 1997, Angelina Jolie starred in the thriller Playing God and the CBS miniseries True Women. She also appeared in the music video for the Rolling Stones's "Anybody Seen My Baby?".
In 1997, Angelina Jolie won a Golden Globe Award for her performance in TNT's George Wallace.
In 1998, Angelina Jolie portrayed Gia Carangi in HBO's Gia, earning wide recognition and a Golden Globe Award.
In 1998, Angelina Jolie starred in the gangster film Hell's Kitchen and appeared in Playing by Heart.
In 1999, Angelina Jolie starred in the comedy-drama Pushing Tin and co-starred in The Bone Collector.
In 1999, Angelina Jolie took the supporting role of Lisa, a sociopathic patient in a psychiatric hospital, in Girl, Interrupted.
In 1999, Angelina Jolie won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Girl, Interrupted.
In 2000, Angelina Jolie appeared in Gone in 60 Seconds.
In February 2001, Angelina Jolie went on her first field visit as part of her work with the UNHCR, embarking on an 18-day mission to Sierra Leone and Tanzania. During this trip, she witnessed firsthand the dire conditions faced by refugees, an experience that deeply shocked her and motivated her further in her humanitarian efforts.
On August 27, 2001, Angelina Jolie was officially named a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador at the UNHCR headquarters in Geneva. This appointment recognized her dedication and contributions to humanitarian work, particularly her efforts to support refugees worldwide.
In 2001, Angelina Jolie and Jon Voight reconciled when they appeared together in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.
In 2001, Angelina Jolie starred in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, establishing her as a leading lady.
In 2001, Angelina Jolie starred in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, launching her global reputation as a female action star.
In 2001, Angelina Jolie starred opposite Antonio Banderas in Original Sin.
In 2001, Angelina Jolie started her field visits to learn more about the conditions in international trouble spots.
In August 2002, Angelina Jolie received the inaugural Humanitarian Award from the Church World Service's Immigration and Refugee Program, recognizing her humanitarian work.
In 2002, Angelina Jolie articulated her goal to raise awareness about the plight of refugees, emphasizing their resilience and deservingness of commendation rather than disdain.
In 2002, Angelina Jolie starred in the romantic comedy Life or Something Like It.
In October 2003, Angelina Jolie was the first recipient of the Citizen of the World Award by the United Nations Correspondents Association, acknowledging her global impact.
In October 2003, Angelina Jolie's book, "Notes from My Travels," was published, chronicling her field visits from 2001-2002. It was released in conjunction with her humanitarian drama "Beyond Borders."
After filming Beyond Borders (2003) in Namibia, Jolie became patron of the Harnas Wildlife Foundation, a wildlife orphanage and medical center in the Kalahari Desert.
From 2003 onwards, Angelina Jolie started lobbying for humanitarian interests in Washington D.C.
In 2003, Angelina Jolie purchased a property in Cambodia for her adopted son, later expanded to a wildlife reserve.
In 2003, Angelina Jolie reprised her role as Lara Croft in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life. She also starred in Beyond Borders, a film to bring attention to humanitarian causes.
In 2003, Jolie starred in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life.
In 2004, Angelina Jolie appeared in four films: Taking Lives, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, Shark Tale, and Alexander. These roles showcased her versatility in thrillers, science fiction, animation, and historical dramas.
In 2004, Angelina Jolie began taking flying lessons with the aim of being able to fly aid workers and food supplies around the world.
In 2004, Angelina Jolie had a voice role in the animated film Shark Tale.
In 2004, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow and Alexander were released.
In 2004, then-Prime Minister Hun Sen offered Angelina Jolie Cambodian nationality due to her humanitarian work in the country.
In October 2005, Angelina Jolie was awarded the Global Humanitarian Award by the UNA-USA, in recognition of her humanitarian efforts.
From 2005 to 2007, Angelina Jolie funded the launch of a similar initiative, the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants' National Center for Refugee and Immigrant Children.
In 2005, Angelina Jolie funded a school and boarding facility for girls at Kakuma refugee camp in northwestern Kenya.
In 2005, Angelina Jolie starred in Mr. & Mrs. Smith with Brad Pitt. In 2015, they starred in "By The Sea" together, marking their first collaboration since Mr. & Mrs. Smith.
In 2005, Jolie starred in Mr. & Mrs. Smith, which was commercially successful.
In 2005, King Norodom Sihamoni granted Angelina Jolie Cambodian citizenship through a royal decree, completing the process.
In February 2006, Angelina Jolie opened the Maddox Chivan Children's Center, a medical and educational facility for children affected by HIV, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
In September 2006, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt established the Jolie-Pitt Foundation to support various causes.
In November 2006, Angelina Jolie expanded the scope of the Maddox Jolie Project, renaming it the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation (MJP), to create Asia's first Millennium Village.
By 2006, Angelina Jolie's Q Score nearly doubled to 25, and she was familiar to 81% of Americans. Also in 2006, Jolie, together with Pitt, was found to be the favorite celebrity endorser for brands and products worldwide in a global industry survey.
In 2006, Angelina Jolie played a supporting role as the neglected wife of a CIA officer in Robert De Niro's The Good Shepherd.
In 2006, a global industry survey revealed Jolie and Pitt as favorite celebrity endorsers. Jolie also became the face of St. John and Shiseido from 2006 to 2008.
In June 2007, Angelina Jolie joined the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and hosted a symposium on international law and justice.
In September 2007, Angelina Jolie co-chaired the Education Partnership for Children of Conflict, aiming to support education programs in conflict-affected regions, at the Clinton Global Initiative's annual meeting.
In November 2007, Angelina Jolie received the Freedom Award from the International Rescue Committee, celebrating her contributions to humanitarian causes.
By mid-2007, approximately 6,000 villagers and 72 employees were residing and working at the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation (MJP) in Cambodia, supported by Jolie's funding.
From 2005 to 2007, Angelina Jolie funded the launch of a similar initiative, the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants' National Center for Refugee and Immigrant Children.
In 2007, Angelina Jolie directed the documentary A Place in Time.
In 2007, Angelina Jolie gained praise for her dramatic performance in A Mighty Heart.
In 2007, Angelina Jolie starred as Mariane Pearl in A Mighty Heart and also played Grendel's mother in Beowulf.
In 2007, Beowulf, one of Jolie's most commercially successful films, was released, relying partly on her sex appeal.
Since October 2008, Angelina Jolie has co-chaired Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), providing legal aid to unaccompanied minors in immigration proceedings.
In 2008, Angelina Jolie starred in Clint Eastwood's drama Changeling and also voiced Tigress in Kung Fu Panda film series.
In 2008, Angelina Jolie starred in the action film Wanted, and had a voice role in Kung Fu Panda.
In 2008, Angelina Jolie was the highest-paid actress and starred in the action film Wanted, which was an international success.
In 2008, Jolie starred in Changeling, Kung Fu Panda, and Wanted.
In 2008, Jolie was the face of St. John and Shiseido since 2006. Jolie was among the Time 100, a list of the most influential people in the world as published by Time, also in 2008.
In 2009, Forbes named Angelina Jolie the world's most powerful celebrity in its Celebrity 100 issue. Forbes additionally cited her as Hollywood's highest-paid actress in 2009, with estimated annual earnings of $27 million.
In March 2010, Angelina Jolie opened two primary schools for girls in Afghanistan.
In December 2010, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt established the Shiloh Jolie-Pitt Foundation to support conservation efforts by the Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary in Namibia.
In 2010, Angelina Jolie starred in the action film Salt.
In 2010, Angelina Jolie starred opposite Johnny Depp in The Tourist, which was a critical failure but commercially successful internationally. She also received a Golden Globe nomination.
In wake of the 2010 earthquake the Jolie Legal Fellows, facilitated child protection efforts in Haiti
In January 2011, Angelina Jolie established the Jolie Legal Fellowship, a network of lawyers advocating for human rights.
In October 2011, Angelina Jolie was presented with a gold pin by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, recognizing her decade as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador.
Angelina Jolie's Bosnian war drama In the Land of Blood and Honey (2011) inspired Foreign Secretary William Hague to campaign on the issue of sexual violence.
In 2011, Angelina Jolie directed and wrote the war drama In the Land of Blood and Honey.
In 2011, Angelina Jolie made her feature directorial debut with In the Land of Blood and Honey, set during the Bosnian War.
In 2011, Jolie directed In the Land of Blood and Honey.
In 2011, Jolie secured a $10 million endorsement deal with Louis Vuitton. Forbes listed her as Hollywood's highest-paid actress in 2011, with estimated annual earnings of $30 million.
On April 17, 2012, Angelina Jolie was promoted to the rank of Special Envoy to High Commissioner António Guterres, marking the first appointment to such a position within the UNHCR. This promotion expanded her role, granting her authority to represent Guterres and the UNHCR at the diplomatic level, with a specific focus on major refugee crises.
In May 2012, Angelina Jolie launched the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI) with Foreign Secretary William Hague.
In November 2012, Angelina Jolie opened two primary schools for girls in Afghanistan.
Since April 2013, all proceeds from Angelina Jolie's high-end jewelry collection, Style of Jolie, have benefited the Education Partnership for Children of Conflict's work.
In November 2013, Angelina Jolie received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, an honorary Academy Award, from the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
By 2013, KIND had become the principal provider of pro bono lawyers for immigrant children.
In 2013, Angelina Jolie fronted a campaign against sexual violence in military conflict zones by the UK government.
In 2013, Angelina Jolie's announcement of her mastectomy led to a significant increase in BRCA gene testing, dubbed "The Angelina Effect."
In 2013, Forbes cited Jolie as Hollywood's highest-paid actress, with estimated annual earnings of $33 million.
In 2013, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honored Jolie with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.
In June 2014, Angelina Jolie co-chaired the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, resulting in a protocol endorsed by 151 nations.
In June 2014, Angelina Jolie was appointed an Honorary Dame Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (DCMG) for her services to the UK's foreign policy and campaigning to end sexual violence in war zones.
In 2014, Angelina Jolie directed Unbroken, a film about Louis Zamperini, a former Olympic track star and World War II soldier. Louis Zamperini also passed away in 2014.
In 2014, Angelina Jolie starred in Maleficent, a live-action re-imagining of Sleeping Beauty, which became her highest-grossing film ever.
In 2014, Jolie directed Unbroken.
In 2014, Jolie starred in Maleficent.
In 2015, Angelina Jolie directed and starred in By the Sea with her husband, Brad Pitt, marking their first collaboration since Mr. & Mrs. Smith. It was not well-received by critics.
In 2015, Angelina Jolie founded Jolie Pitt Dalton Helic, a partnership dedicated to women's rights and international justice.
In 2015, Jolie directed By the Sea.
In May 2016, Angelina Jolie was appointed a visiting professor at the London School of Economics to contribute to a postgraduate degree program on Women, Peace and Security.
In 2016, Angelina Jolie continued her voice role in the Kung Fu Panda franchise.
In 2017, Angelina Jolie directed First They Killed My Father, a drama set during Cambodia's Khmer Rouge era, combining her interests in film and humanitarian work.
In 2017, Jolie directed First They Killed My Father.
In 2019, Angelina Jolie reprised the role of Maleficent in the Disney sequel Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.
In 2019, Angelina Jolie starred in the Maleficent sequel.
In 2019, Jolie starred in Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.
In September 2020, Angelina Jolie donated to two young boys who were running a lemonade stand in London to raise money for the people of Yemen.
In May 2021, Angelina Jolie starred as a smokejumper in Taylor Sheridan's action thriller Those Who Wish Me Dead.
On September 2, 2021, Angelina Jolie and Amnesty International released a children's rights book titled "Know Your Rights and Claim Them", co-authored with Geraldine Van Bueren.
In November 2021, Angelina Jolie played Thena in the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero film Eternals.
In February 2022, Angelina Jolie and her daughter Zahara visited Washington, D.C. for the Senate introduction of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act.
In March 2022, Angelina Jolie visited Ukrainian children at the Vatican Children's Hospital Bambino Gesù and expressed her hope for an end to the war.
In May 2022, Angelina Jolie visited Lviv, Ukraine to meet with displaced and hospitalized children.
In December 2022, Angelina Jolie resigned from her role as UNHCR ambassador, while pledging to continue advocating for refugees.
In 2024, Angelina Jolie directed Without Blood and produced the musical The Outsiders, winning a Tony Award for Best Musical.
In 2024, Angelina Jolie is recognized for her dramatic performance in Maria.
In 2024, Angelina Jolie was a producer on The Outsiders, which won the Tony Award for Best Musical. She also wrote, produced, and directed the war drama Without Blood.
In 2024, Jolie directed Without Blood.