Eren Angelina
Who is Angelina Jolie?
Angelina Jolie is one of the most famous and influential actresses in Hollywood. She is known not only for her beauty and acting talent but also for her strong personality and humanitarian work. The 2000s were a very important time in her career. During this decade, she became an international superstar and started making a real difference in the world.
The 2000s were the most defining years of Angelina Jolie’s career. She went from being just an actress to being a world-famous leader in humanitarian efforts. She made action-packed films, serious dramas, and earned critical praise. At the same time, she adopted children from across the world and brought attention to human rights issues that few other celebrities talked about.
Angelina Jolie showed that being a star is not only about acting—it’s also about using your voice to make a difference. Her work in the 2000s left a strong mark on both Hollywood and the world.
Her Rise to Global Fame
Angelina Jolie was already known in the late 1990s for her powerful acting. She won an Academy Award (Oscar) in 2000 for her role in Girl, Interrupted (1999). That award made her a serious name in Hollywood. But it was in the 2000s that she became one of the biggest stars in the world.
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)
One of her most famous roles was as Lara Croft in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. This film was based on a popular video game. Jolie trained for months to prepare for the action scenes. The movie was a box office hit and made her an international action star. She played the role again in the sequel, Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2003).
Even though critics didn’t love the movies, fans enjoyed her strong and fearless character. Lara Croft became a symbol of female power, and Jolie’s fame grew very quickly.
Important Movies in the 2000s
Angelina Jolie made many different kinds of films during the 2000s, showing her wide range as an actress. She did action, drama, animation, and biographical roles.
Original Sin (2001)
This was a romantic thriller where she starred opposite Antonio Banderas. The movie was full of mystery and passion, though it had mixed reviews.
Taking Lives (2004)
A crime thriller where she played an FBI profiler. It showed her darker, serious acting style.
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004)
A science fiction film where she played a one-eyed commander. Though it was not a big hit, it added to her list of interesting roles.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005)
This was a huge hit. She starred with Brad Pitt, and they played a married couple who were both secret assassins. The movie was fun and full of action. It made over $480 million worldwide. More than just a film, it changed her personal life too—this was when her relationship with Brad Pitt began.
A Mighty Heart (2007)
She played Mariane Pearl, the wife of a journalist who was kidnapped and killed. It was a serious, emotional role, and Jolie received great praise. The role earned her a Golden Globe nomination.
Beowulf (2007)
She voiced and played the computer-generated character Grendel’s mother. The film used new digital technology, and Jolie’s image was turned into animation.
Wanted (2008)
Another action movie hit. Jolie played a deadly assassin and trained hard for the physical role. It made over $340 million and showed she could lead major action films.
Changeling (2008)
Directed by Clint Eastwood, this drama was based on a true story. Jolie played a mother searching for her missing son. The film was emotional and serious, and her performance earned her another Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
Awards and Recognition
During the 2000s, Angelina Jolie was honored many times for her acting:
- Academy Award (Oscar): Best Supporting Actress for Girl, Interrupted (2000)
- Golden Globe Awards: Multiple wins and nominations
- Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards: Winner for Girl, Interrupted
- Academy Award Nomination: Best Actress for Changeling (2008)
- She was also often included in lists like “Most Beautiful Woman in the World” by magazines such as People and Esquire.
Humanitarian Work and the United Nations
One of the most important parts of Angelina Jolie’s work in the 2000s was her humanitarian work.
UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador (2001–2012)
In 2001, Jolie was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). She began visiting refugee camps in many countries, including:
- Cambodia
- Sierra Leone
- Tanzania
- Pakistan
- Afghanistan
- Iraq
- Sudan
She used her fame to bring attention to people suffering from war, hunger, and displacement. She also donated millions of dollars to help refugees.
Books and Speeches
In 2003, Jolie wrote a book called Notes from My Travels, which was a diary of her experiences visiting refugee camps. The book gave readers a real look at the lives of people in crisis.
She also spoke at the World Economic Forum and at United Nations meetings, pushing for better help for displaced people. Her words were powerful because they came not just from a celebrity, but from someone who had seen these problems firsthand.
Adoption and Family Life
Angelina Jolie’s personal life also became part of her public work.
- In 2002, she adopted her first child, Maddox, from Cambodia.
- In 2005, she adopted Zahara from Ethiopia.
- In 2006, she and Brad Pitt had a biological daughter, Shiloh.
- In 2007, she adopted Pax, a boy from Vietnam.
- Later, she gave birth to twins Knox and Vivienne in 2008.
By the end of the decade, Jolie and Pitt had six children—three adopted and three biological. The media called them “Brangelina,” and their family was one of the most followed in the world. But Jolie’s adoption choices were also seen as part of her global work. She often chose to adopt from countries she had visited as part of her UN missions.
Influence and Impact
In the 2000s, Jolie changed what it meant to be a Hollywood star. She was not just making movies—she was trying to change the world.
- She made people care about refugees and war victims.
- She inspired adoption and family diversity.
- She chose bold roles—not always popular, but meaningful.
- She used her fame to bring attention to global problems, not just fashion and parties.
Her work made her one of the most powerful women in Hollywood. She also became a symbol of strength, independence, and compassion.
By: Keisya Nabila Rafa Ayu
Write and Win: Participate in Creative writing Contest & International Essay Contest and win fabulous prizes.
About the Author
