Angelina Jolie

What are some of Angelina Jolie's most notable acting roles and directorial projects?

Angelina Jolie has had a diverse and impressive career in both acting and directing, with numerous notable roles and projects to her credit.

In terms of acting, Jolie's breakthrough came with her portrayal of model Gia Carangi in the 1998 HBO biopic "Gia," for which she won a Golden Globe. Her role as Lisa Rowe in "Girl, Interrupted" (1999) earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, solidifying her status as a Hollywood star.

Jolie gained widespread recognition for her portrayal of video game heroine Lara Croft in "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider" (2001) and its sequel. She showcased her versatility in dramatic roles such as Mariane Pearl in "A Mighty Heart" (2007) and Christine Collins in Clint Eastwood's "Changeling" (2008), the latter earning her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress.

Her action credentials were further cemented with performances in "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" (2005), "Wanted" (2008), and "Salt" (2010). Jolie also lent her voice to animated features, most notably as Tigress in the "Kung Fu Panda" series.

In recent years, Jolie has taken on more complex roles, such as the titular character in Disney's "Maleficent" (2014) and its sequel, offering a nuanced portrayal of the classic villain.

As a director, Jolie made her debut with the documentary "A Place in Time" (2007), but it was her first narrative feature, "In the Land of Blood and Honey" (2011), that garnered significant attention. The film, set during the Bosnian War, demonstrated Jolie's commitment to addressing serious global issues through cinema.

Her second directorial effort, "Unbroken" (2014), told the true story of Olympic athlete and World War II survivor Louis Zamperini. The film was well-received and further established Jolie as a capable director.

In 2015, Jolie directed, wrote, and starred alongside then-husband Brad Pitt in "By the Sea," a relationship drama set in 1970s France. While not as critically acclaimed as her previous directorial works, it showcased her willingness to take creative risks.

Her most recent directorial project, "First They Killed My Father" (2017), based on Loung Ung's memoir of the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia, received critical praise for its sensitive portrayal of a dark period in history.

Throughout her career, Jolie has consistently chosen roles and projects that allow her to explore complex characters and address important social and historical issues, both as an actress and a director.

More Questions About Angelina Jolie

Back to Angelina's Profile