All about Angelina Jolie’s brother James Haven

Angelina Jolie has never made it a secret how much she loves her older brother James Haven.

Jolie accompanied her brother to the 2000 Academy Awards, where she won Best Supporting Actress for her role. Girl, interrupted. “I don’t know if it’s the divorced families or what, but he and I have always been everything to each other, and we’re the best of friends,” she told reporters of her brother after her win. Entertainment Weekly.

The first-born son of Jon Voight and the late actress Marcheline Bertrand, Haven shares Jolie’s sharp cheekbones, blue eyes and full lips – as well as her passion for film, human rights and family.

Haven has long been a constant in Jolie’s life, both publicly — frequently attending premieres and award shows to support her — and privately. In fact, their closeness occasionally makes headlines. In January 2024, made an appearance on Haven 90who10 podcast and made rare comments about her sister, saying she is “protective” of him and the six children she shares with ex-husband Brad Pitt.

“I think it’s natural. This is where it all started. It started with protecting her and her children, my nieces and nephews,” he said, adding that his nieces and nephews are in “largely formative years.”

Here’s what to know about Angelina Jolie’s brother James Haven.

He is an activist and former actor

Haven was born James Haven Voight on May 11, 1973 in Los Angeles.

Like Jolie, Haven was a working actor for years under the guidance of his mother, Bertrand. In 1998, he starred opposite Jolie in the HBO film Gia. It also appeared in without roots With Jolie and Antonio Banderas, Monster Ball With Jolie’s then-husband Billy Bob Thornton and Episodes CSI.

He is also no stranger to working behind the camera. Haven directed one episode Game in 2007 and produced a 2005 documentary Trudel About Native American poet and activist John Trudel.

Haven also shares Jolie’s love of humanitarianism and credits her sister for getting her involved in human rights causes, particularly working to help AIDS patients.

“Angie was the catalyst,” he said Marie Claire In 2007. “He’ll say, ‘I just heard this is going on in Darfur…’ and I want to get involved.” He also worked for the Artivist Film Festival, which showcased films addressing human rights and environmental and animal rights causes.

He and Jolie lived separately from their father

Haven gave a rare interview Rajinda Sandesh In March 2007, claimed that Voight was often absent when he and Jolie were growing up and that Voight often did not pay child support to Bertrand.

Haven claimed that when he was 13 and alone with Voight, he begged his father to pay alimony to Bertrand. “He’ll claim he’s taking good care of her,” Haven said. “But actually, mom was stressed and we had to tell her that he was causing the problem.” Haven added that neither he nor his sister could afford a car in high school—he didn’t even go to his high school prom because he was too embarrassed to ask his father for a ride in front of his wealthy peers.

“Angie is now inspired to become an independently wealthy woman because we see what it’s like to be at the mercy of someone who controls the money and pulls the strings,” Haven said.

Haven also claimed that Voight was “tough” on Bertrand. “We saw him at Christmas time or in school lessons. He’s always been around but he’s never done his job as a father,” he said. “I think one of the reasons why Angelina and I care so much for other people is because of his treatment of our mother. Angelina and I were very protective of him.”

Voight later responded to Haven’s comment, saying that he did his best to send money to Bertrand and spend time with Haven and Jolie when they were young. “Lord knows over the years, I’ve tried to mend this relationship,” Voight said. “Maybe it’s made worse by the trauma of their mother passing away. I send them my heart and love constantly and I’m always available for them. Whatever they need from me.”

Voight eventually reconciled with Haven and Jolie, occasionally appearing on the red carpet to support them at events and premieres.

Jolie kissed him the night he won an Oscar in 2000

The same night for which she won an Oscar Girl, interrupted, Jolie kissed Heaven on the lips on the red carpet before the ceremony. During her acceptance speech, she said, “I’m in shock, and I’m in love with my brother right now. He held me and said he loves me and I know he’s so happy for me, and thank you for that.”

After thanking others, including her parents, she tearfully said: “Jamie, I have nothing without you. You are the bravest and strongest man I’ve ever known. Thank you. I love you so much.”

Two years later, talked to Jolie Vogue “Saying ‘I’m in love’ with her is just an expression,” she explained of her acceptance speech. She continued, “I mean, in this moment, with all of this going on, what’s important to me is that person sitting there standing next to me is so happy. for me.”

He and Jolie became closer after losing their mother

Jolie and Haven’s mother died on January 27, 2007. The siblings were together at the time, which Haven said helped them deal with their grief.

“When I first lost my mother, I couldn’t stop crying,” Haven said. Rajinda Sandesh Later that year. “Fortunately, I was with Angie when we heard. It was such a big moment.”

Awning after Heaven Marie Claire He and Jolie bonded over their desire to protect women and children in need, and their humanitarian passion was partly inspired by their late mother. “I don’t want to continue to torment my father – I wish him well, and I hope he finds peace – but he subjected my mother to years of mental abuse, and it made me especially concerned about abandoned women and children, ” he said. . “So that is my religion—helping widows and orphans.”

Jolie gives him dating advice

Jolie advises her brother about his dating life from an early age; Haven notes that she was “very protective” of him, which he believes is because they are children of divorce.

“Maybe I haven’t found the right woman because my sister is too fond of me. Any woman has to go through two filters, me and then my sister,” he said. Rajinda Sandesh. “I’m a perfectionist by nature. Then, because I’m so close to Angie, it feels like I’ve already found the perfect woman in my life and it’s hard for anyone else to live up to that.”

He is close with Jolie’s children

Haven is a proud uncle to Jolie and Pitt’s six children: Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and twins Vivienne and Knox.

In an April 2007 interview with ExpressHaven said Shiloh was actually named after him.

“It’s an honor more than any honor I’ve received in my life. I was supposed to be Shiloh before I was born, and at the last second my parents gave me Heaven instead,” he said. “So it was great when Brad and Angie came to me and said, ‘We’re thinking of names and our favorite is Shiloh. Would that be okay?’ I was almost in tears.”

speaking together Marie Claire Later that year, Haven said the children were “unbelievable”. He noticed that Zahra, then a baby, liked to hide and that Pax, then 3 and still learning English, was “surprised” when he said Heaven’s name for the first time.

Haven has remained close with his nieces and nephews, who are now adults. In January 2024, he said 90who10“They’re becoming young adults. (They’re in their) early 20s. It’s so crazy. I think it’s so natural. I just want to be there.”

He added, “Whenever I am blessed to be in His presence, I want to be in His presence.”