Born to actors Jon Voight and Marcheline Bertrand in 1975, Angelina Jolie began studying acting at the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute from age 11. After working as a model Jolie received her first starring role in the 1995 film "Hackers". Superstardom followed a few years later as she won the Golden Globe award for the TV film "Gia" and then a 1999 Oscar for her supporting role in "Girl, Interrupted".
Jolie then lept into the realm of action adventure in 2001's "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider". Since then Jolie has been one of Hollywood's biggest and most sought-after stars. Her off-screen life has also been unconventional and a source of interest from the tabloids. During her 3-year marriage to actor Billy Bob Thornton they frequently made headlines with their public displays of passion and by wearing vials of each other's blood around their necks. However, after a divorce from Thornton, Jolie's next major relationship would be among the most talked about in Hollywood.
After filming "Mr. & Mrs. Smith", Jolie began dating Brad Pitt upon the dissolution of his relationship with Jennifer Aniston.
In addition to her remarkable Hollywood career, Jolie contributes considerable attention to her charitable work. Her frequent trips to impoverished countries help draw attention to people in need. While she has alluded to quitting her acting she acknowledges that earning upwards of $10 million per film helps her to fund her humanitarian efforts. She is currently starring in Robert De Niro's long-awaited directorial project "The Good Shepherd", which also stars Matt Damon and Alec Baldwin. Summer 2007 will see her take on the challenging role of Mariane Pearl in "A Mighty Heart."