Angelina Jolie, the Academy Award-winning actress and humanitarian, shared poignant reflections on her personal life and relationships during her recent appearance at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Diving deep, Jolie recounted memories of her childhood, significant moments from her career, and the impact of her relationships on her life.
One particularly emotional story involved her father, acclaimed actor Jon Voight, and her mother, Marcheline Bertrand. Jolie recalled watching the 1979 Oscars with her mother as Voight attended the ceremony with actress Stacey Pickren, dubbed 'the other woman' by Jolie. "It was kind of just a part of our family history," she shared. This experience stayed with her, evoking pity for her mother who had to bear the pain of her husband celebrating with another woman. Jolie reflected, "I was thinking how she must have felt on those nights always really stuck with me."
Voight and Bertrand separated when Jolie was just a child. Their divorce was finalized when she was five years old, deeply affecting her family dynamics. "She was home with her babies, watching him win an Oscar with the other woman," Jolie narrated. Her mother, who died of cancer in 2007, gave up her creative aspirations to support Jolie and her brother, James Haven, emphasizing the motherly sacrifices made throughout their lives.
The award-winning star also opened up about her rigorous lifestyle changes initiated by her groundbreaking role as Lara Croft in the 2001 blockbuster film Tomb Raider. "I had to completely change my health and my life," Jolie said, reflecting on how she had been smoking two packs of cigarettes daily. Her dedication for the role forced her to embrace healthier habits, and she quit smoking entirely after filming. "I haven't done it again... well, maybe once or twice," she admitted, showcasing her determination to live healthier.
At the festival, she received the Maltin Modern Master Award, and during her acceptance speech, she expressed great gratitude for her late mother’s unwavering support throughout her career. "She gave up on her own creative dreams, but she helped me pursue mine," Jolie reminisced, shedding light on the strong bond they shared. Such tributes deeply moved the audience as she recalled memories of her mother writing letters to her film characters.
Jolie also revealed her initial reluctance to accept the role of Lara Croft, explaining she initially said no because she felt unprepared. "I said no to Tomb Raider when I was first called," Jolie recalled. The offer was eventually too enticing, promising global travel and military training, leading her to embrace the opportunity. It was this pivotal decision not only to take on the role but also to venture to Cambodia, where she later adopted her son, Maddox. "I will wear the shorts for the first five minutes and then I'll never wear them again," she joked, capturing the adventurous spirit she embraced.
Venturing down memory lane, Jolie also touched upon her brief but significant marriage to Jonny Lee Miller. A clip of their early collaboration on the film Hackers showed Miller, causing Jolie to fondly recall, "Yeah, it’s Jonny. I just talked to him. I love... I get to see my ex-husband with 2,000 people." They wed after six months of dating but separated after just one year, with divorce finalized shortly after.
Miller humorously recounted the lengths he went to impress Jolie during their relationship, recalling, "I jumped out of an airplane... Sounds great. She is cool as cucumber. Fearless, that's the woman," highlighting the adventurous side both shared.
Angelina Jolie's romantic history extends beyond Miller to her tumultuous relationship with actor Brad Pitt. They married in 2014 but separated two years later, their divorce finalized only recently after lengthy legal disputes. Jolie’s spokesperson revealed, "More than eight years ago, Angelina filed for divorce from Mr. Pitt. She and the children left all of the properties they had shared with Mr. Pitt, and since then she has focused on finding peace and healing for their family."
Reflecting on her life's course, Jolie emphasized how her family experiences continually inspire her art. "Maria had many things, but she never had the love of a mother," she noted, indicating the depths of her emotional connections and artistic sensibilities shaped by her own family dynamics. Through stories of love, heartbreak, and resilience, Angelina Jolie remains both a celebrated actress and an enduring cultural icon.
Through it all, Jolie's experiences resonate not only as heartfelt anecdotes but also as narratives of overcoming personal struggle and embracing creativity. Her story highlights the intertwining of personal growth and artistic expression, forever shaping how she views home, family, and the world around her.