Angelina Jolie is a name synonymous with glamour, talent, and humanitarian efforts. One of Hollywood’s most iconic actresses, Jolie has captivated audiences with her stunning beauty, powerful performances, and fierce dedication to making the world a better place. But long before she became the Oscar-winning actress and global advocate we know today, Angelina Jolie young girl with big dreams and a complicated upbringing.
In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at Angelina Jolie’s early life, her rise to fame, and the challenges she faced as a young woman in Hollywood. We’ll explore her career beginnings, the roles that shaped her, and how her childhood influenced the incredible woman she has become. Let’s dive into the world of Angelina Jolie Young and discover the journey that made her the superstar she is today.
Early Life and Family Background
The Influence of a Hollywood Family
Angelina Jolie was born on June 4, 1975, in Los Angeles, California, into a family deeply entrenched in the world of entertainment. Her father, Jon Voight, is an Oscar-winning actor known for his work in films like Midnight Cowboy and Deliverance. Her mother, Marcheline Bertrand, was an actress and producer. With such a pedigree, it was no surprise that Angelina would eventually pursue a career in the film industry.
However, despite the glamour of her family background, Jolie’s early life was far from perfect. Her parents separated when she was just a year old, and she was primarily raised by her mother. Marcheline Bertrand gave up her acting career to focus on raising Angelina and her brother, James Haven, in New York. This separation from her father created a strained relationship between Jolie and Voight, one that would take many years to heal.
A Challenging Childhood
Angelina’s childhood was marked by feelings of isolation, low self-esteem, and a sense of not fitting in. Despite being part of a famous family, Jolie often felt like an outsider. She attended Beverly Hills High School, where she struggled with being teased by her peers for her unusual looks and quirky personality. Jolie has spoken openly about her difficulties during this period, including her battle with depression, self-harm, and her fascination with death.
At the same time, Jolie’s relationship with her father remained complicated. In fact, she even dropped “Voight” from her name and adopted “Jolie” (which means “pretty” in French) as her surname.
The Beginning of a Career
Angelina’s First Steps into Acting
Angelina Jolie’s first foray into acting came at a very young age. She appeared alongside her father in the 1982 film Lookin’ to Get Out, though she only had a minor role. Despite her early exposure to Hollywood, it wasn’t until her teenage years that Jolie seriously considered acting as a career.
Her mother, who had given up her acting ambitions, was a significant influence on Jolie’s decision to pursue film. Marcheline would take Angelina to the movies frequently, sparking her passion for storytelling. At the age of 16, Jolie enrolled at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute to study acting. There, she trained for two years and performed in several stage productions, honing her craft.
Breaking into Hollywood
After completing her training at the Lee Strasberg Institute, Jolie began auditioning for film roles. In the early 1990s, she landed roles in low-budget films such as Cyborg 2 (1993) and Hackers (1995). While neither film was a huge commercial success, Jolie’s talent was beginning to be noticed by industry insiders.
More importantly, it marked the beginning of Jolie’s ascent in Hollywood.
The Rise of a Star
The Breakthrough Role – Gia (1998)
One of the turning points in Angelina Jolie’s career came when she starred in the HBO biopic Gia in 1998. Jolie portrayed the life of Gia Carangi, a supermodel who rose to fame in the late 1970s and early 1980s before tragically succumbing to drug addiction and dying of AIDS. Jolie’s portrayal of Gia was raw, emotional, and deeply moving, earning her critical acclaim and her first Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television.
An Oscar-Winning Performance – Girl, Interrupted (1999)
Jolie’s star continued to rise after Gia, but it was her role in the 1999 film Girl, Interrupted that would catapult her to international stardom. In the film, Jolie played Lisa Rowe, a charismatic but deeply disturbed sociopath who befriends the main character, played by Winona Ryder. Jolie’s portrayal of Lisa was electric, stealing every scene she was in and earning her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Jolie’s performance in Girl, Interrupted was a career-defining moment.
Angelina Jolie’s Image as a Young Star
The Rebel Persona
During her rise to fame, young Angelina Jolie developed a reputation for being Hollywood’s ultimate rebel. She was known for her unconventional fashion choices, including her love for black leather, tattoos, and edgy hairstyles.
Her rebellious nature was further fueled by her personal life, including her high-profile marriage to British actor Jonny Lee Miller in 1996. Jolie famously wore black rubber pants and a white shirt with Miller’s name written in her own blood at their wedding. The marriage, though short-lived, added to her wild child image.
A Humanitarian in the Making
Despite her “bad girl” image, Angelina Jolie always had a softer, more compassionate side that would eventually become a cornerstone of her public persona. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Jolie began to travel the world and became increasingly aware of the suffering of people in war-torn countries. These experiences planted the seeds for what would become her lifelong commitment to humanitarian work.
The Transition from Young Star to Global Icon
The Birth of an Action Hero – Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)
In 2001, Angelina Jolie took on the role of Lara Croft, the iconic video game heroine, in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. The film was a massive box office success and transformed Jolie into a global action star.
This role also had a profound impact on Jolie’s personal life. While filming in Cambodia, she was exposed to the country’s severe poverty and humanitarian crises.
Humanitarian Efforts and Adoption
Jolie’s experience in Cambodia led her to work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and she was named a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador in 2001. In the years that followed, Jolie would travel to more than 30 countries, advocating for refugees, displaced persons, and vulnerable communities.
In 2002, Jolie adopted her first child, Maddox Chivan, from an orphanage in Cambodia. This marked the beginning of her journey as a mother and humanitarian.
Conclusion
Angelina Jolie’s journey from a young Hollywood rebel to one of the most respected actresses and humanitarian figures in the world is nothing short of extraordinary. Her early life was filled with challenges, including a difficult childhood, struggles with mental health, and a tumultuous relationship with her father. Yet, through it all, Jolie managed to carve out a successful career, earning critical acclaim and countless awards for her performances.
More importantly, Jolie’s evolution from young starlet to global humanitarian demonstrates her incredible strength and resilience.
FAQs
How old was Angelina Jolie when she starred in Girl, Interrupted?
Angelina Jolie was 24 years old when she starred in Girl, Interrupted.
What was Angelina Jolie’s first major film role?
Jolie’s first major role was in the 1998 HBO film Gia, where she portrayed supermodel Gia Carangi.
How many children does Angelina Jolie have?
Angelina Jolie has six children—three adopted (Maddox, Zahara, and Pax) and three biological (Shiloh, and twins Knox and Vivienne).
What inspired Angelina Jolie to become involved in humanitarian work?
Jolie’s humanitarian work was inspired by her travels to war-torn countries while filming Lara Croft: Tomb Raider in Cambodia.
Did Angelina Jolie win an Oscar for Girl, Interrupted?
Yes, Angelina Jolie won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Girl, Interrupted.
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