Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Angelina Jolie
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Angelina Jolie made an impact.
Angelina Jolie is a prominent American actress, filmmaker, and humanitarian. Celebrated for her acting prowess, she has received an Academy Award, a Tony Award, and three Golden Globe Awards. Jolie has also been recognized as one of Hollywood's highest-paid actresses. Beyond her successful career in entertainment, she is known for her humanitarian work, using her platform to advocate for various causes.
1982: Screen Debut in Lookin' to Get Out
In 1982, Angelina Jolie made her screen debut as a child alongside her father, Jon Voight, in the movie Lookin' to Get Out.
1982: Early film productions
Since 1982, Angelina Jolie has appeared in over thirty film productions.
1991: Music Video Appearances
In 1991, Angelina Jolie appeared in music videos such as Lenny Kravitz's "Stand by My Woman" and Antonello Venditti's "Alta Marea."
1993: Music Video and Album Cover Appearances
In 1993, Angelina Jolie appeared in music videos such as The Lemonheads's "It's About Time" and Meat Loaf's "Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through", and on the cover of Widespread Panic's album Everyday.
1993: First Leading Role in Cyborg 2
In 1993, Angelina Jolie played her first leading role in Cyborg 2, a direct-to-video science-fiction sequel.
1993: Film Career Begins with Cyborg 2
In 1993, Angelina Jolie's film career began in earnest with the low-budget production Cyborg 2, marking a significant step in her early career.
1995: First Leading Role in Hackers
In 1995, Angelina Jolie secured her first leading role in the film Hackers, a pivotal moment in her developing career.
1995: Starring in Hackers
In 1995, Angelina Jolie starred in her first major studio film, Hackers, marking a significant role in her career.
1996: Roles in Love Is All There Is, Mojave Moon, and Foxfire
In 1996, Angelina Jolie appeared in Love Is All There Is, Mojave Moon, and Foxfire, showcasing her versatility in various film roles.
1997: Release of True Women and George Wallace
In 1997, Angelina Jolie starred in True Women and George Wallace.
1997: Starring in George Wallace
In 1997, Angelina Jolie starred in the television film George Wallace, showcasing her talent in a biographical drama.
1997: Starring in Playing God and True Women
In 1997, Angelina Jolie starred in the thriller Playing God and the CBS miniseries True Women.
1997: Golden Globe Award for George Wallace
In 1997, Angelina Jolie won a Golden Globe Award for her performance in TNT's George Wallace, a film about Governor George Wallace.
1998: Roles in Hell's Kitchen and Playing by Heart
In 1998, Angelina Jolie appeared in the gangster film Hell's Kitchen and Playing by Heart, receiving praise for her performance in the latter.
1998: Portrayal of Gia Carangi in Gia
In 1998, Angelina Jolie portrayed supermodel Gia Carangi in HBO's Gia, receiving critical acclaim and numerous awards.
1998: Release of Playing by Heart and Gia
In 1998, Angelina Jolie starred in Playing by Heart and Gia, both critically acclaimed films.
1998: Starring in Gia
In 1998, Angelina Jolie starred in the television film Gia, a role that brought her significant recognition.
1999: Role in Girl, Interrupted and memoir publication
In 1999, Angelina Jolie played a supporting role in Girl, Interrupted, an adaptation of Susanna Kaysen's 1993 memoir.
1999: Starring in Pushing Tin and The Bone Collector
In 1999, Angelina Jolie starred in the comedy-drama Pushing Tin and The Bone Collector, alongside prominent actors.
1999: Academy Award for Girl, Interrupted
In 1999, Angelina Jolie won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the drama Girl, Interrupted, a significant achievement in her career.
1999: Fashion debut at the Golden Globe Awards
In 1999, Angelina Jolie's sequined Randolph Duke gown at the Golden Globe Awards was regarded as her fashion debut.
2000: Controversial image and outspokenness
In 2000, Angelina Jolie addressed her outspokenness, stating that artists should "throw things out there." That same year, she won an Oscar for Girl, Interrupted and kissed her brother on the lips, leading to tabloid rumors of incest, which she dismissed.
2000: Appearance in Gone in 60 Seconds
In 2000, Angelina Jolie appeared in Gone in 60 Seconds, which became her highest-grossing film to that point.
2000: Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR
In 2000, at the age of 26, Angelina Jolie became a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Her recognizability at this time was 31% of Americans.
February 2001: First Field Visit to Sierra Leone and Tanzania
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. She later expressed her shock at what she witnessed.
August 27, 2001: Named UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador
On August 27, 2001, Angelina Jolie was named a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador at UNHCR headquarters in Geneva.
2001: Field Visits Chronicled
Angelina Jolie's 2001-2002 field visits were chronicled in her book Notes from My Travels.
2001: Appearance Together in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
In 2001, Angelina Jolie and her father, Jon Voight, appeared together in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, leading to a brief reconciliation before their relationship deteriorated again.
2001: Leading Role in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
In 2001, Angelina Jolie starred as the titular heroine in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, establishing her as a leading lady in action films.
2001: Starring in Original Sin
In 2001, Angelina Jolie starred opposite Antonio Banderas in "Original Sin," a film that was poorly received by critics and audiences. A critic from The New York Times questioned Jolie's choice to follow her Oscar-winning performance with such a film.
2001: Lara Croft: Tomb Raider release
In 2001, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider was released, relying partly on Angelina Jolie's sex appeal for its commercial success.
2002: Starring in Life or Something Like It
In 2002, Angelina Jolie starred in the romantic comedy "Life or Something Like It," which was also unsuccessful. The film marked an unusual choice for Jolie. In 2002, she also established herself as one of Hollywood's highest-paid actresses, earning $10–15 million per film for the next five years.
2002: Statement on Raising Awareness
In 2002, Angelina Jolie stated her goal was to raise "Awareness of the plight of these people. I think they should be commended for what they have survived, not looked down upon."
October 2003: Publication of Notes from My Travels
In October 2003, Angelina Jolie's book Notes from My Travels, chronicling her 2001-2002 field visits, was published in conjunction with the release of her humanitarian drama Beyond Borders.
2003: Became Patron of Harnas Wildlife Foundation
After filming Beyond Borders in Namibia, Angelina Jolie became a patron of the Harnas Wildlife Foundation, a wildlife orphanage and medical center in the Kalahari Desert in 2003.
2003: Lobbying for Humanitarian Interests
From 2003 onwards, Angelina Jolie lobbied for humanitarian interests in the U.S. capital.
2003: Purchase of Home in Cambodia
In 2003, Angelina Jolie purchased a house in Cambodia to connect her adopted son with his heritage. She also purchased and turned the area into a wildlife reserve named for her son, the Maddox Jolie Project.
2003: Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life Release
In 2003, Angelina Jolie reprised her role as Lara Croft in "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life," which earned $156.5 million at the international box office, less than the original. She also appeared in the music video for Korn's "Did My Time" to promote the sequel. Also in 2003, she starred in "Beyond Borders," a film about humanitarian causes.
2003: Release of Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life
In 2003, Angelina Jolie starred in Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life, a critically acclaimed and commercially successful film.
2004: Appearances in Four Films
In 2004, Angelina Jolie appeared in four films: "Taking Lives," "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow," "Shark Tale" (voice role), and "Alexander." "Alexander" failed commercially in North America but succeeded internationally.
2004: Voice Role in Shark Tale
In 2004, Angelina Jolie provided a voice role in the animated film Shark Tale, expanding her repertoire to include animation.
2004: Release of Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow and Alexander
In 2004, Angelina Jolie starred in Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow and Alexander, both critically acclaimed and commercially successful films.
2004: Started Flying Lessons and Acquired Pilot License
In 2004, Angelina Jolie started taking flying lessons and acquired a pilot license with the aim of ferrying aid workers and food supplies around the world.
2005: Funded Launch of Initiative
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.
2005: Funded schools for girls at Kakuma
In 2005, Angelina Jolie funded a school and boarding facility for girls at Kakuma refugee camp in northwestern Kenya.
2005: Release of Mr. & Mrs. Smith
In 2005, Angelina Jolie starred in Mr. & Mrs. Smith, a critically acclaimed and commercially successful film.
2005: Mr. & Mrs. Smith Release
In 2005, Angelina Jolie starred opposite Brad Pitt in the action-comedy "Mr. & Mrs. Smith," where they played secret assassins. The film was a major box office success, grossing $478.2 million worldwide.
February 2006: Opening of Maddox Chivan Children's Center
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.
May 27, 2006: Birth of Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt
On May 27, 2006, Angelina Jolie gave birth to her first biological child with Brad Pitt, Shiloh Nouvel, in Swakopmund, Namibia. The first pictures of Shiloh were sold to People and Hello! magazines with all proceeds donated to UNICEF.
September 2006: Establishment of the Jolie-Pitt Foundation
In September 2006, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt established the Jolie-Pitt Foundation to support various causes.
November 2006: Expansion of the Maddox Jolie Project
In November 2006, Angelina Jolie expanded the scope of the Maddox Jolie Project—renamed the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation (MJP)—to create Asia's first Millennium Village.
2006: Increased Q Score and recognizability
By 2006, Angelina Jolie's Q Score nearly doubled to 25 due to her activism. Her recognizability grew to 81% of Americans by 2006. She was also noted for her positive influence on her public image without a publicist or agent.
2006: Starring in The Good Shepherd
In 2006, Angelina Jolie played a supporting role in Robert De Niro's "The Good Shepherd", where she played the neglected wife of a CIA officer.
2006: Celebrity endorser for brands and products
In 2006, a global industry survey by ACNielsen found Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt to be the favorite celebrity endorsers for brands and products worldwide. She was also the face of St. John and Shiseido from 2006 to 2008.
June 2007: Joined the Council on Foreign Relations
In June 2007, Angelina Jolie joined the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR).
September 2007: Co-chair of Education Partnership for Children of Conflict
Since its founding at the Clinton Global Initiative's annual meeting in September 2007, Angelina Jolie has co-chaired the Education Partnership for Children of Conflict.
2007: MJP Includes Schools, Roads, and Soy Milk Factory
By mid-2007, some 6,000 villagers lived and worked at MJP, in ten villages previously isolated from one another. The compound includes schools, roads, and a soy milk factory, all funded by Jolie.
2007: Funded Launch of Initiative
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.
2007: Directing A Place in Time
In 2007, Angelina Jolie directed the documentary "A Place in Time", which was distributed through the National Education Association.
2007: Dramatic Performance in A Mighty Heart
In 2007, Angelina Jolie gained praise for her dramatic performance in A Mighty Heart, showcasing her range as an actress.
2007: Roles in A Mighty Heart and Beowulf
In 2007, Angelina Jolie starred as Mariane Pearl in "A Mighty Heart", based on the memoir of Daniel Pearl's kidnapping and murder. She also played Grendel's mother in "Beowulf", which was critically and commercially successful.
2007: Release of Beowulf and A Mighty Heart
In 2007, Angelina Jolie starred in Beowulf and A Mighty Heart, both critically acclaimed and commercially successful films.
2007: Beowulf release
In 2007, Beowulf was released, overtly relying on Angelina Jolie's sex appeal.
July 2008: Birth of Twins Knox and Vivienne
In July 2008, Angelina Jolie gave birth to twins Knox Léon Jolie-Pitt and Vivienne Marcheline Jolie-Pitt in Nice, France. The first pictures of the twins were sold to People and Hello! for $14 million, with all proceeds donated to the Jolie-Pitt Foundation.
October 2008: Co-chair of Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)
Since October 2008, Angelina Jolie has co-chaired Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), a network of leading U.S. law firms that provide free legal aid to unaccompanied minors in immigration proceedings across the U.S.
2008: Continued endorsement deals and Time 100
In 2008, Angelina Jolie continued as the face of St. John and Shiseido. She was also among the Time 100, a list of the most influential people in the world as published by Time, in 2008.
2008: Oscar-nominated performance in Changeling
In 2008, Angelina Jolie received an Oscar nomination for her performance in Changeling.
2008: Release of Changeling, Kung Fu Panda, and Wanted
In 2008, Angelina Jolie starred in Changeling, Kung Fu Panda, and Wanted, all critically acclaimed and commercially successful films.
2008: Starring in Changeling and Kung Fu Panda
In 2008, Angelina Jolie starred in Clint Eastwood's drama "Changeling", receiving nominations for several awards. She also voiced Tigress in the DreamWorks "Kung Fu Panda" film series.
2008: Role in Wanted and Kung Fu Panda
In 2008, Angelina Jolie starred in the action film Wanted and voiced a character in Kung Fu Panda, showcasing her versatility in action and animation.
2008: Highest-Paid Actress and Star in Wanted
In 2008, Angelina Jolie was the highest-paid actress, earning $15–$20 million per film. She also starred in the action film "Wanted" alongside James McAvoy and Morgan Freeman, which was an international success.
2009: Named world's most powerful celebrity
In 2009, Angelina Jolie was named the world's most powerful celebrity in Forbes's Celebrity 100 issue. Forbes additionally cited her as Hollywood's highest-paid actress in 2009, with estimated annual earnings of $27 million.
March 2010: Opening of Primary School for Girls in Afghanistan
In March 2010, Angelina Jolie opened one of two primary schools for girls in the returnee settlements Tangi in eastern Afghanistan.
December 2010: Establishment of Shiloh Jolie-Pitt Foundation
In December 2010, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt established the Shiloh Jolie-Pitt Foundation to support conservation work by the Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary in the Kalahari.
2010: Jolie Fellows facilitated child protection in Haiti
Following the 2010 earthquake, Jolie Legal Fellows facilitated child protection efforts in Haiti.
2010: Release of Salt and The Tourist
In 2010, Angelina Jolie starred in Salt and The Tourist, both critically acclaimed and commercially successful films.
2010: Role in Salt
In 2010, Angelina Jolie starred in the action film Salt, adding another significant role to her filmography.
2010: Starring in The Tourist
In 2010, Angelina Jolie starred opposite Johnny Depp in the thriller "The Tourist." Although the film was not a critical success in the US, it succeeded internationally.
January 2011: Established the Jolie Legal Fellowship
In January 2011, Angelina Jolie established the Jolie Legal Fellowship, a network of lawyers and attorneys who are sponsored to advocate the development of human rights in their countries.
2011: Directing In the Land of Blood and Honey
In 2011, Angelina Jolie directed and wrote the war drama In the Land of Blood and Honey, marking her entry into filmmaking.
2011: Directorial Debut with In the Land of Blood and Honey
In 2011, Angelina Jolie made her feature directorial debut with "In the Land of Blood and Honey", a love story set during the Bosnian War. She cast actors from the former Yugoslavia and incorporated their wartime experiences into the screenplay.
2011: Endorsement deal with Louis Vuitton
In 2011, Angelina Jolie secured an endorsement deal with Louis Vuitton, reportedly worth $10 million. Forbes cited her as Hollywood's highest-paid actress in 2011, with estimated annual earnings of $30 million.
April 17, 2012: Promotion to Special Envoy to UNHCR
On April 17, 2012, Angelina Jolie was promoted to the rank of Special Envoy to High Commissioner António Guterres, after more than a decade as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador.
May 2012: Launch of Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI)
In May 2012, Angelina Jolie launched the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI) with Foreign Secretary William Hague.
November 2012: Opening of Primary School for Girls in Afghanistan
In November 2012, Angelina Jolie opened one of two primary schools for girls in the returnee settlements Qalai Gudar in eastern Afghanistan.
April 2013: Proceeds from Style of Jolie Benefit Partnership
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.
2013: KIND became principal provider of pro bono lawyers
By 2013, KIND had become the principal provider of pro bono lawyers for immigrant children.
2013: Fronted Campaign Against Sexual Violence
In 2013, Angelina Jolie fronted a campaign against sexual violence in military conflict zones by the UK government.
2013: Increased BRCA gene testing due to "The Angelina Effect"
In 2013, Angelina Jolie's announcement of her mastectomy led to a significant increase in BRCA gene testing, dubbed "The Angelina Effect" by a Time cover story. The number of referrals for testing tripled in Australia and doubled in the United Kingdom, parts of Canada, and India. Jolie had also advocated for wider accessibility to BRCA gene testing, the costs of which were reduced after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling invalidated BRCA gene patents held by Myriad Genetics in 2013.
2013: Hollywood's highest-paid actress
In 2013, Forbes cited Angelina Jolie as Hollywood's highest-paid actress, with estimated annual earnings of $33 million.
2013: Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award
In 2013, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honored Angelina Jolie with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.
June 2014: Co-chaired Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict
In June 2014, Angelina Jolie co-chaired the four-day Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, the largest-ever meeting on the subject.
2014: Directing Unbroken
In 2014, Angelina Jolie completed her second directorial venture, "Unbroken," a film about Louis Zamperini, a former Olympic track star and World War II soldier. The film received mixed reviews but was financially successful.
2014: Starring in Maleficent
In 2014, Angelina Jolie starred in "Maleficent," a live-action re-imagining of Disney's "Sleeping Beauty". The film was a box office success, grossing $757.8 million worldwide.
2015: Directing and Starring in By the Sea
In 2015, Angelina Jolie directed and starred in "By the Sea" opposite her husband, Brad Pitt. The film was a deeply personal project for Jolie but received poor reviews.
2015: Direction of By the Sea
In 2015, Angelina Jolie directed the film By the Sea.
2015: Founding of Jolie Pitt Dalton Helic
In 2015, Angelina Jolie, along with Chloe Dalton and Arminka Helic, founded Jolie Pitt Dalton Helic, a partnership focused on women's rights and international justice.
May 2016: Appointment as Visiting Professor at London School of Economics
In May 2016, Angelina Jolie was appointed a visiting professor at the London School of Economics, where she contributed to a postgraduate degree program at the university's Centre on Women, Peace and Security.
2016: Kung Fu Panda Franchise Role
In 2016, Angelina Jolie continued her voice role in the Kung Fu Panda franchise, marking her continued participation in the popular animated series.
2017: Directing First They Killed My Father
In 2017, Angelina Jolie directed "First They Killed My Father," a drama set during Cambodia's Khmer Rouge era. The film was produced directly for Netflix and received nominations for several awards.
2019: Release of Maleficent: Mistress of Evil
In 2019, Angelina Jolie reprised her role as Maleficent in the Disney fantasy sequel Maleficent: Mistress of Evil. The movie received mixed reviews but performed moderately well commercially.
2019: Role in Maleficent Sequel
In 2019, Angelina Jolie reprised her role in the sequel to Maleficent, continuing her involvement in the successful fantasy franchise.
September 2020: Donation to Yemen Fundraiser
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, who were facing a humanitarian crisis.
May 2021: Release of Those Who Wish Me Dead
In May 2021, Angelina Jolie starred as a smokejumper in Taylor Sheridan's action thriller Those Who Wish Me Dead. The film received moderate reviews.
September 2, 2021: Release of Know Your Rights and Claim Them
On September 2, 2021, Angelina Jolie and Amnesty International released a children's rights book titled Know Your Rights and Claim Them. She co-authored the book with British human rights lawyer Geraldine Van Bueren.
November 2021: Release of Eternals
In November 2021, Angelina Jolie played Thena, a warrior with post-traumatic stress disorder, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero film Eternals. The film generated divergent responses from audiences and critics.
February 2022: Senate Introduction of Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act
In February 2022, Angelina Jolie and her daughter Zahara visited Washington, D.C., for the Senate introduction of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, which aims to prevent and respond to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. She collaborated closely with the bill's sponsors and advocates.
March 2022: Visit to Ukrainian Children at Vatican Hospital
In March 2022, Angelina Jolie visited Ukrainian children at the Vatican Children's Hospital Bambino Gesù, expressing her hope for an end to the war and highlighting the suffering of children.
May 2022: Visit to Displaced Children in Lviv, Ukraine
In May 2022, Angelina Jolie visited Lviv, Ukraine, to meet with displaced and hospitalized children, continuing her support for those affected by the conflict.
December 2022: Resignation from UNHCR Ambassadorship
In December 2022, Angelina Jolie resigned from her ambassadorship with the UNHCR, while pledging to continue advocating for refugees.
2024: Directing Without Blood and Producing The Outsiders
In 2024, Angelina Jolie directed Without Blood and produced the musical The Outsiders, winning a Tony Award for Best Musical.
2024: Direction of Without Blood
In 2024, Angelina Jolie directed the film Without Blood.
2024: Dramatic Performance in Maria
In 2024, Angelina Jolie received praise for her dramatic performance in the film Maria, further solidifying her reputation as a versatile actress.
2024: Tony Award Win and Directing Without Blood
In 2024, Jolie won the Tony Award for Best Musical as a producer on The Outsiders which transferred to Broadway. In 2024, she also wrote, produced, and directed the war drama Without Blood.
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