Angelina Jolie wrote, directed, produced and stars in "By the Sea," a film released in theaters in Germany on December 10. Here's a look back at the most memorable events of her high-profile career.
As the US superstar Angelina Jolie releases her third film as a director, "By the Sea," here are a few highlights of her prolific career.
Image: picture-alliance/Zuma Press
Bold drama on relationships
Every single rumor about the star couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie gets picked up by tabloids. With "By the Sea," Jolie daringly decided to add her own voice to all the gossip about her relationship, by directing and starring with her real-life husband in this drama about a couple undergoing a deep crisis.
Image: picture-alliance/Zuma Press
Can you recognize her?
When the US-born actress starred in the movie "Hackers" 20 years ago, nobody would have thought that she would become one of the biggest stars in the world just a few years later.
In 1999, Angelina Jolie starred in three major films. In the thriller "The Bone Collector," she played a cop, teaming up with Denzel Washington. The attractive actress was becoming more and more convincing, even in tough action movies.
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Oscar for a supporting role
Jolie's performance in "Girl, Interrupted" that same year was highly celebrated. She starred with Winona Ryder, who played the main role. Her depiction of a patient in a psychiatric clinic was so convincing that she obtained an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
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Mega blockbuster: Lara Croft
Two years later, Jolie played a beautiful action heroine in the film adaptation of the video game "Lara Croft." People all over the world went to see the popular film.
Image: picture-alliance/United Archives/IFTN
Engagement for refugees
While shooting "Lara Croft" in Cambodia, the actress witnessed first-hand the humanitarian problems in the country, which led her to get involved. She later assisted the United Nations in various functions. In her efforts to help refugees, she met numerous politicians - among them Aung San Suu Kyi, in Myanmar in 2015.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/N. C. Naing
Two worlds
The US actress is committed to helping persecuted people, all while starring in commercial Hollywood mega-productions, like the erotic thriller "Original Sin" (2001). This makes some people distrust her intentions - they claim these two aspects of her career aren't compatible.
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Glamor and long-term commitment
However, Angelina Jolie managed to combine these two worlds. She has earned respect by further pursuing her social and political projects. Throughout the years, she also kept receiving roles adding to her desirability in Hollywood, such as here in Oliver Stone's historical epic "Alexander" (2004).
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Scenes of a marriage
The 2005 film "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" was not only a huge commercial success, it also led Jolie to get closer to her co-star, Brad Pitt. Later on, they became one of Hollywood's dream couples.
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Meeting the Queen
Whether while working on a film or through her humanitarian engagement, Angelina Jolie has met some of the world's most outstanding personalities. Last year, she was even received by the Queen. In such formal circumstances, Jolie knows how to play her role perfectly.
Image: Reuters/A. Devlin
German roots
Five years ago, the film "The Tourist" by German-born Oscar winner Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck obtained bad reviews - even though it starred Jolie and Johnny Depp. The movie nevertheless became a box office hit. Incidentally, Angelina Jolie has German roots.
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At the top at age 40
The actress has long established her reputation in Hollywood and the world. Instead of letting tabloids and critics bring her down, she further works to stay above reproach. Even the Pope seemed quite happy to meet her.
Image: Reuters/Osservatore Romano
On both sides of the camera
Although she is mainly known as an actress, Angelina Jolie has also directed her own films. In 2011, her directorial debut, "In the Land of Blood and Honey," premiered at the Berlin Film Festival and received a lot of attention. Now, she is releasing her third movie, "By the Sea."
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The film "By the Sea" is about an unhappily married couple in crisis. Co-starring with Angelina Jolie is her real-life husband Brad Pitt.
Pitt and Jolie were reported to have found each other on the set of another movie about a married couple, "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" (2005). In this movie, the husband and wife realize they are both undercover assassins hired by competing agencies to kill each other.
The dream couple
Shortly afterwards, the two stars made their relation public, had children and adopted even more. They held a lavish wedding ceremony in France a few years later.
The Brangelina brand keeps fascinating the public. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are without a doubt modern Hollywood's dream couple. Just like Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy ,or Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton earlier, the ups and downs of their relationship keeps the tabloids busy.
Fans will therefore be curious to see the couple dealing with a crisis. Even if "By the Sea" is a fictional story, Angelina Jolie revealed that the most personal scenes were inspired by her 10-year relationship with Brad Pitt.
