Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jon Voight

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 17, 2025

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Jon Voight made an impact.

Jon Voight is a highly acclaimed American actor with a career spanning decades. He has earned prestigious awards including an Academy Award, a BAFTA, and multiple Golden Globes. He's also received Emmy nominations. His contribution to the film industry is significant, with his movies grossing over $5.2 billion globally. In 2019, Voight received the National Medal of Arts, further solidifying his status as a major figure in American cinema.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

2001: Supporting Role in Ali and Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story

In 2001, Jon Voight played Howard Cosell in the biopic Ali, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Also in 2001, he appeared in the television mini-series Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story.

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2001: Roles in Pearl Harbor, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Zoolander, and Uprising

In 2001, Jon Voight played President Franklin D. Roosevelt in Pearl Harbor. He also appeared as Lord Croft in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, alongside his daughter Angelina Jolie. Additionally in 2001, Voight played Zoolander's father in Zoolander, and Major-General Juergen Stroop in the television film Uprising, receiving an Emmy nomination.

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2003: Role in Holes

In 2003, Jon Voight played Marion Seville/Mr. Sir in Holes.

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2004: Role in National Treasure

In 2004, Jon Voight played Patrick Gates, the father of Nicolas Cage's character, in National Treasure.

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2005: Title role in Pope John Paul II

In 2005, Jon Voight played the title role in the second part of CBS' miniseries, Pope John Paul II.

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2006: Role in Glory Road

In 2006, Jon Voight portrayed Kentucky Wildcats head coach Adolph Rupp in the Disney hit Glory Road.

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2007: Roles in Transformers and National Treasure: Book of Secrets

In 2007, Jon Voight played United States Secretary of Defense John Keller in Transformers. Also in 2007, Voight reprised his role as Patrick Gates in National Treasure: Book of Secrets. He also appeared in Bratz.

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2008: Role in Four Christmases

In 2008, Jon Voight appeared as Creighton Kinkaid in the Christmas film Four Christmases.

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2009: Role in 24

In 2009, Jon Voight played Jonas Hodges in the seventh season of the Fox drama 24. Voight made his first appearance in the two-hour prequel episode 24: Redemption on November 23.

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2013: Appearance on Ray Donovan

In 2013, Jon Voight made his appearance on Ray Donovan as Mickey Donovan.

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2014: Golden Globe Award for Ray Donovan

In 2014, Jon Voight earned a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Ray Donovan.

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2016: Role in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

In 2016, Jon Voight played Henry Shaw Sr. in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

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March 26, 2019: Appointment to Kennedy Center Board of Trustees

On March 26, 2019, Jon Voight was appointed to a six-year term on the Board of Trustees of the Kennedy Center in Washington DC.

2020: Portrayal of Warren E. Burger in Roe v. Wade

In 2020, Jon Voight portrayed Supreme Court Justice Warren E. Burger in the film Roe v. Wade.

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2022: Participation in Desperate Souls, Dark City and the Legend of Midnight Cowboy and Cast in Megalopolis

In 2022, Jon Voight participated in the documentary film Desperate Souls, Dark City and the Legend of Midnight Cowboy. Also in 2022, Voight was cast in the science fiction epic Megalopolis.

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August 30, 2024: Release of Reagan

On August 30, 2024, the film Reagan, starring Dennis Quaid as Ronald Reagan and Jon Voight as Viktor Ivanov, was theatrically released in the United States.

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January 16, 2025: Appointment as Special Ambassador to Hollywood

On January 16, 2025, president-elect Donald Trump announced that Jon Voight would serve as a Special Ambassador to Hollywood, sharing the role with Mel Gibson and Sylvester Stallone.