Jon Voight experienced the joy of becoming a father for the second time at the age of 36. His second wife, Marcheline Bertrand, gave birth to their daughter Angelina Jolie Voight on June 4, 1975. In the years that followed, Angelina would pursue an acting career like her father and become one of Hollywood's most famous stars. This fatherhood experience was an important turning point in Voight's personal life.
For the role of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in Pearl Harbor (2001), the first choice was Gene Hackman. However, Hackman turned down the role, thinking it would be painful for his Japanese-born wife to be involved in a film about the Japanese attack that brought the United States into World War II. The producers then approached Jon Voight to portray the U.S. president of that era. Voight successfully brought this important historical figure to the screen.
Jon Voight's younger brother, Wes Voight, is known in the music world by the pseudonym Chip Taylor. The writer of The Troggs' 1966 smash hit 'Wild Thing,' Taylor also penned classics such as 'Angel of the Morning' (Merrilee Rush) and 'I Can't Let Go' (The Hollies). The Voight family's talents were not limited to cinema; they also produced an important figure in music.
Jon Voight was offered the role of Matt Hooper in Steven Spielberg's classic thriller Jaws (1975). However, Voight turned down the offer, and the role went to Richard Dreyfuss, who would make a major leap in his career. Dreyfuss became widely known for this performance, and the film became one of the unforgettable productions in cinema history. Voight's decision is regarded as one of the important turning points in his career.
Jon Voight's father, Elmer Voytka (who later changed his surname to Voight), was a professional golfer. Born on October 29, 1909, Elmer passed away in June 1973. His father's athletic identity contributed to Voight growing up in a disciplined and competitive environment. However, instead of following in his father's footsteps, Jon chose the world of art and built a career in acting.
For the 1978 film Superman, Jon Voight was among the names considered for the role of Clark Kent/Superman. However, this iconic role ultimately went to Christopher Reeve. Reeve made history with this performance and became a pioneer of superhero films. Voight, meanwhile, continued his career with strong characters in different genres.
The godparents of Jon Voight's daughter Angelina Jolie are the famous actors Maximilian Schell and Jacqueline Bisset. This choice shows Voight's connections in the art world and the value he placed on his daughter. As Angelina built her own career in the years that followed, she felt the support of these godparents behind her.
In 2000, Jon Voight became closely involved with the Florida Holocaust Museum. He worked with the then Executive Director Larry Wasser (who passed away in 2003) and the famous author and former prosecutor John Loftus, who had served at the U.S. Department of Justice. Voight still serves as an advisory member on the museum's board and works to ensure the Holocaust is not forgotten.
Jon Voight turned down the role of Oliver Barrett IV in the 1970 film Love Story, despite being offered as much as 10% of the gross revenue. The role ultimately went to Ryan O'Neal, who received great acclaim for his performance. Voight's decision shows that he was an actor who made deliberate choices in his career.
Jon Voight's eldest brother, Barry Voight, was a world-renowned volcanologist. Serving as a professor of geology at Penn State University, Barry conducted important research on volcanic eruptions. The Voight family is one of the rare families that achieved success in two different branches, in the arts and the sciences.
Jon Voight appeared in three films nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: Midnight Cowboy (1969), Deliverance (1972) and Coming Home (1978). Of these, Midnight Cowboy won the Best Picture award and earned an important place in cinema history. Voight's achievement proves that he was a talented actor who appeared in the most respected productions of his era.
At the 1982 Oscar ceremony, Jon Voight accepted the 'Best Actress' award on behalf of Katharine Hepburn, who was unable to attend. Hepburn had won the award for her performance in 'On Golden Pond.' Voight's undertaking of this duty shows his standing in the film community and his strong ties with his colleagues.
Jon Voight appeared in two films selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being 'culturally, historically or aesthetically' significant: Midnight Cowboy (1969) and Deliverance (1972). These films are considered among the masterpieces of American cinema and rank among the most important productions of Voight's career.
On December 9, 2001, Jon Voight made a surprise guest appearance on Muppets Tonight (1996) and wore a giant chicken costume alongside Gonzo the Great. This entertaining appearance was part of the first annual MuppetFest fan convention and also aimed to raise donations for Save the Children. Through this event, Voight both met his fans and demonstrated his charitable spirit.
Jon Voight's phone ringtone is the song 'Everybody's Talkin'' from the film Midnight Cowboy (1969). This song is the unforgettable melody of one of the most important films in Voight's career. Voight's choice shows his respect for his place in cinema history and the nostalgic bond he has formed with it.
Jon Voight attended Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, New York. The school was a Catholic high school that admitted only male students. Voight's education helped shape him in a disciplined environment and played a part in his later move toward an artistic career.
In an episode of Seinfeld (1989), George Costanza (Jason Alexander) buys a Chrysler Lebaron convertible that he believes once belonged to Jon Voight. He then learns that the car's previous owner was actually a periodontist named 'John' Voight. This comic situation is an entertaining example of how the famous actor's name has been used in popular culture.
Jon Voight's family is quite diverse in origin. On his father's side, his grandfather George Voytko was a Slovak immigrant from Nacina Ves near Kosice, while his grandmother Helen Petrick was of Slovak descent. His mother, Barbara Agnes Kamp, was the daughter of German immigrant Joseph Kamp, and her mother, Margaret Franz, was the daughter of German immigrants of Bavarian origin. This multicultural heritage played a significant role in shaping Voight's identity.
Jon Voight became a father for the first time at the age of 34. His second wife, Marcheline Bertrand, gave birth to their son James Haven Voight on May 11, 1973. James would go on to build a career in acting and producing and to take part in various projects alongside his sister, Angelina Jolie. Voight's experience of fatherhood was an important turning point in his life.
Jon Voight appeared on screen as father and son with actor Ricky Schroder twice. They played the pair first in the 1979 film The Champ and then in the 1993 series Return to Lonesome Dove. This repeated collaboration is an indication of the rapport and professional relationship between the two actors.
Jon Voight graduated in 1960 from the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. In his first year at the university, Voight studied in the Speech and Drama department, then switched his major to Art. Among his classmates at the time was the famous comedian Henry Gibson. Voight's education played an important role in the development of his interest in and talent for the arts.
In May 2002, Jon Voight was honored at a fundraising event in New York for the Joseph Papp Children's Humanitarian Fund. The event brought together important names from the worlds of theater and cinema. Voight's receiving this award shows that he was appreciated not only as an actor but also as an artist who contributed to society.
In Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001), Jon Voight played Lord Richard Croft, the father of the lead character Lara Croft. Lara was played by his real-life daughter, Angelina Jolie. This was a rare case of a father and daughter appearing as father and daughter in the same film, and the film showcased the pair's on-screen chemistry.
At the 1970 Oscar ceremony, Jon Voight accepted the Best Director award on behalf of John Schlesinger, who was unable to attend the ceremony. Schlesinger had directed Voight in Midnight Cowboy (1969) and had won the Best Director Oscar for that film. Voight's gesture was a sign of the respect and friendship between him and his director.
In the 1993 series Return to Lonesome Dove, Jon Voight took over the role of Woodrow F. Call from Tommy Lee Jones. Three years later, Jonny Lee Miller, who played a younger version of the same character, took on the role in the series Dead Man's Walk (1996). That same year, Miller married Voight's daughter Angelina Jolie, making Voight the father-in-law of his own successor. This curious connection lays bare the small world of Hollywood.
For 'Who Mourns for Adonais?' (1967), one of Star Trek's unforgettable episodes, Jon Voight was the first choice for the role of Apollo. However, Voight could not take the role because he had agreed to work on another project at the time. The role was ultimately given to Michael Forest. Voight's decision led him to move in a different direction in his career.
Jon Voight's private life has been one of Hollywood's most talked-about subjects. Throughout his career, Voight had romances with famous names such as Charlotte Stewart, Linda Morand, Stacey Pickren, Rebecca De Mornay, Eileen Davidson, Barbra Streisand, Nastassja Kinski and Diana Ross. These relationships shaped both his connections in the film world and his place in the entertainment headlines.
Throughout his career, Jon Voight played a coach in three different films: Varsity Blues (1999), Glory Road (2006) and Woodlawn (2015). In these films he generally played characters who inspire their team and struggle against difficulties. These roles reinforced Voight's on-screen presence as an authoritative and charismatic figure.
Jon Voight became so identified with the fictional boxer Billy Flynn, whom he played in The Champ (1979), that in real life fans asked him for Billy Flynn's autograph. Voight did not turn these requests down and gave fans Billy Flynn's signature. This incident shows the strong bond he formed with the character and his interaction with his fans.
Jon Voight took on the role of a boxer twice in his film career: The All-American Boy (1973) and The Champ (1979). He also played legendary sports broadcaster Howard Cosell in the film Ali (2001). These roles reveal Voight's interest in the world of sports and his ability to bring different characters to life.
Jon Voight is also known for his political views. Voight, who takes a hawkish stance on counterterrorism, voted for George W. Bush in the 2004 presidential election. In 2008 he supported Rudy Giuliani's Republican nomination campaign, but later endorsed John McCain. Voight, who backed Mitt Romney in 2012, became one of the few celebrities to support Donald Trump for president in 2016 and spoke at the 2017 inauguration ceremony. In 2024 he again supported Trump.
Jon Voight is the grandfather of Angelina Jolie's children: Maddox, Zahara, Pax, Shiloh, Vivienne and Knox. These six grandchildren come from Angelina's marriage to Brad Pitt and from her adoptions. Voight took a close interest in his grandchildren and tried to keep family ties strong.
Jon Voight is the godfather of actress Skyler Shaye. This spiritual fatherhood shows the strong bonds Voight has built with those in his close circle. Skyler Shaye has always felt Voight's support behind her in her career.
Jon Voight is the former father-in-law of his daughter Angelina Jolie's ex-husbands Jonny Lee Miller, Billy Bob Thornton and Brad Pitt. These three marriages were important turning points in Voight's family life. Voight stood by his daughter during these periods and took care to preserve family ties.
In 2007, Jon Voight worked as a partner in the production company Paul Productions. This role allowed him to gain experience in producing, not just acting. This venture by Voight was part of his effort to expand his influence in the film industry.
In early 1981, it was announced that Jon Voight would star in the film The Raoul Wallenberg Story. Raoul Wallenberg was a Swedish diplomat who saved thousands of Jews during World War II. However, the project did not come to fruition and the film was never made. Voight's announcement generated excitement in the film world at the time.
Jon Voight announced his open support for Donald Trump in the 2024 US presidential election. This support was a continuation of Voight's political stance. Voight stated that he approved of Trump's policies and leadership and did not hesitate to share this view with the public.
Jon Voight was born on 29 December 1938, and his time of birth was recorded as 11:50 (EST). Such birth time information is often used by astrology enthusiasts. Voight's birth chart has led to various interpretations about his personality traits.
In 2019, Jon Voight was awarded the National Medal of Arts at a ceremony held in Washington, D.C. This award is one of the highest state honors given in the field of arts in the US. With this award, Voight saw his contributions to American cinema and culture recognized. He still lives in Los Angeles, California, and continues his acting career.