Angelina Jolie has had a successful acting career spanning more than two decades. During this time, she has collaborated with numerous well-known actors, directors, and producers on many box office hits. Examining her most frequent collaborators can provide insight into her impressive body of work. Let’s take a closer look at some of Jolie’s important creative partnerships throughout the years.
Brad Pitt has been Angelina Jolie’s most frequent on-screen partner, establishing themselves as one of Hollywood’s power couples. Their collaborations in various high-profile films have showcased their electrifying chemistry both on and off-screen.
One notable on-screen collaboration was in the action rom-com spy thriller “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” in 2005. Playing married assassins hired to kill each other, Jolie and Pitt delivered a performance that exceeded box office expectations, earning $487 million worldwide. Their on-screen partnership has captivated audiences and solidified their status as a dynamic duo in Hollywood.
In the 2007 film “A Mighty Heart,” Angelina Jolie portrayed Mariane Pearl, the wife of murdered journalist Daniel Pearl. This biopic drama was produced by Brad Pitt, who also had a small cameo role in the movie.
In 2008, Pitt was a producer for the film “Changeling,” a drama that earned Jolie an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
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– “Kung Fu Panda” released in 2008 features an all-star cast with voices by famous actors like Master Tigress and Master Monkey in this highly successful animated film and its sequels.
– Angelina Jolie wrote, directed, and starred alongside Brad Pitt in the intimate marital drama “By the Sea” in 2015. It marked the first time they appeared on screen together as a real-life couple.
– Despite their divorce, Jolie and Pitt collaborated in a total of four live-action movies and voiced three animated films. Their productive on-screen partnership spanned 11 years and earned millions in box office earnings.
Clint Eastwood, a renowned Hollywood icon, has been a frequent director for Angelina Jolie, shaping some of her most memorable film roles. She starred in three of his directed films:
– In “Changeling” (2008), Eastwood directed Jolie in a moving drama based on real events in 1920s Los Angeles.
– “Invictus” (2009) saw Jolie acting alongside Morgan Freeman as first lady Marianne Pearl in Eastwood’s sports biopic about Nelson Mandela.
– Most recently in 2021, Jolie played a hostage negotiator under Eastwood’s guidance in the action thriller “The Exchange” set in Europe.
Despite their sporadic collaboration, Clint Eastwood remains the director with whom Angelina Jolie has worked the most. His seasoned directorial style has brought out some of Jolie’s best dramatic performances.
When it comes to musical scores, German composer Klaus Badelt can be considered Jolie’s most frequent collaborator. Badelt has composed the soundtracks for five of her films, showcasing his ability to complement Jolie’s range in different genres.
As Angelina Jolie’s father, Jon Voight has naturally had the opportunity to share scenes with her on-screen. Their on-screen father-daughter collaborations have also highlighted their excellent chemistry.
– “Tomb Raider” (1999) – Before the famous Lara Croft films, Voight and Jolie portrayed a father-daughter duo in this comedic film.
– “Monster’s Ball” (2001) – Voight had a supporting role in this indie drama showcasing Jolie’s award-winning performance.
– “Life or Something Like It” (2002) – Their real-life bond translated charmingly to Voight’s role as Jolie’s character’s father.
With four on-screen partnerships outside of Jolie’s films with Pitt, Voight has been her second most frequent co-star. Their natural familial chemistry adds authenticity to their acting collaborations.
## Phillip Noyce – Multiple Early Collaborations
Australian director Phillip Noyce directed two of Jolie’s major early films:
– “The Bone Collector” (1999) – Noyce directed Jolie opposite Denzel Washington in this crime thriller showcasing her talent.
– “The Saint” (1997) – This action spy film featuring Val Kilmer represented one of Jolie’s earliest theatrical roles.
Though they haven’t worked together since Jolie became an A-lister, Noyce significantly contributed to her career beginnings.
## Simon West – Frequent Action Film Partnerships
Director Simon West directed Jolie in two memorable action blockbusters:
– “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” (2001) – As mentioned above, this was Jolie’s breakthrough action role she embodied with West’s skillful direction.
– “The Tourist” (2010) – West brought out Jolie’s feminine charm and humor as she acted with Johnny Depp in this romantic thriller.
Their collaborations in the action and adventure realm have proven to be lucrative box office hits. Though only partnering twice, West maximized Jolie’s strengths through these roles.
## Global Humanitarian Work
Beyond Jolie’s acting roles, her most vital collaborations have been in humanitarian rights work alongside the United Nations and other global aid organizations. Some examples:
– UNHCR Special Envoy (2012-present) – Jolie was appointed Special Envoy to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. She has worked extensively with the UNHCR to aid refugee populations.
– The Maddox Jolie Pitt Foundation – Jolie founded this non-profit that supports conservation, education, poverty alleviation, and other humanitarian causes globally. It was renamed the Jolie Pitt Foundation in 2017.
– Women for Bees – Jolie co-founded this entrepreneurial venture with French cosmetics company Guerlain in 2021. It empowers women through beekeeping programs internationally.
Though difficult to quantify, Jolie’s philanthropic partnerships have likely done the most tangible good worldwide.
## Notable Acting Partners
While less frequent collaborators than Pitt or Voight, these other actors have also contributed memorably to multiple Jolie films:
– Johnny Depp – “The Tourist,” “Pushing Tin”
– Jack Black – “Kung Fu Panda,” “Beowulf”
– James McAvoy – “Wanted,” “The Good Shepherd”
– David Duchovny – “Playing God,” “Life or Something Like It”
– Liev Schreiber – “Salt,” “Changeling”
– Gena Rowlands – “Playing By Heart,” “The Mighty”
## Conclusion: Brad Pitt and Humanitarian Work Rise to the Top
When reviewing Angelina Jolie’s impressive filmography and humanitarian endeavors, two collaborations stand out as most significant – her repeated on-screen partnerships with former husband Brad Pitt, and her off-screen humanitarian work with global organizations.
While other directors, composers, co-stars, and producers have been regular Jolie collaborators, none have matched the prolific output and box-office success she achieved when collaborating creatively and romantically with Pitt.
At the same time, Jolie’s collaborations in the humanitarian area have been invaluable in spotlighting important global issues and providing material support to vulnerable populations worldwide.
Ultimately, while Jolie is undoubtedly a talented actress in her own right, her best creative and humanitarian partnerships have enabled her to amplify her impact as a performer, filmmaker, and philanthropist. Her ability to collaborate meaningfully and repeatedly is key to her far-reaching success.