Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie’s trademark pouting lips and bodacious bod have been gracing magazine covers just as often as her numerous, varied starring roles. Not just another pretty face, Angelina Jolie has taken time to understand the world around her, and has made headlines for her what many consider her significant, meaningful contributions to charity and world progress. Designated a UN Goodwill Ambassador, Angelina Jolie has traveled to some of the world’s most troubled regions both to open locals up to the possibilities of what the UN can do for them, as well as to educate the West about oft-ignored local despair.

But of course, it is her screen presence that’s made this versatile performer a star, and she’s proven from the beginning that she’s not afraid to go against the grain of Hollywood convention. She starred in the underground runaway success Hackers in 1995, and five years later scooped up an Oscarâ win for her role as a mentally troubled young lady in the 1999 hit Girl, Interrupted, alongside Brittany Murphy and Winona Ryder. Following that was a much-publicized incident concerning what some considered an inappropriately affectionate kiss she shared with her brother.

She continued to shock the prudes among us with her openly sexual relationship with Billy Bob Thorton. Now that those waves have subsided, attention has returned to her work, which is almost always outstanding. She has played roles ranging from criminals to royalty, and it perhaps most famous for her titular role in the Lara Croft films—based on the blockbuster Tomb Raider video game series. Her action prowess was again put on display in the 2005 hit Mr. And Mrs. Smith.

In this film, she starred opposite Brad Pitt. Following the release of that film, he and Angelina Jolie became romantically linked. 2006 saw Angelina traveling to Africa with her new beau to give birth to a child outside of the media spotlight. Now back in California, the pair is enjoying their spacious southern California compound, and the company of each other and their children while she continues to adhere to a busy filming schedule.