Angelina Jolie got the world talking when she kissed her lookalike brother in 2000.The two have always been close, sticking together through abusive childhoods and the death of their mother.Sadly, their relationship waned over the years, and the two havent been seen together in public over the last few years.Advertisement
Angelina Jolie is no stranger to seeing her name in the papers. From her tumultuous divorce from Brad Pitt to their custody battle over their six children, Jolie has been the subject of news outlets more times than most people can remember.
Angelina Jolie attends “The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford” premiere during day 5 of the 64th Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy on September 2, 2007. | Source: Getty Images
However, back in 2000, Jolie attracted the medias attention when she publicly planted a kiss on the lips of her beloved brother, James Haven. Shortly after the public display of affection, news outlets discovered that Jolie and Haven had shared a close bond since they were children, braving the onslaught of their fathers rage side-by-side.
Angelina Jolie and James Haven at the 72nd Annual Academy Awards – Arrival on March 26, 2000 | Source: Getty Images
Haven has opened up about their dad, Jon Voight, saying he always had a temper and would often focus more on his kids faults rather than their strengths. Jolie and Havens parents split in 1976, which led the siblings to form a strong bond.
James Haven and Angelina Jolie spotted in Los Angeles on March 25, 2000. | Source: Getty Images
Haven recalled that he and Jolie stood up to his father and became protective of their mother. After years of having a bad relationship with his dad, Haven had few good memories of the man.
Jaime Haven Voight, Angelina Jolie, and Jon Voight file photo, dated January 1, 1980 | Source: Getty Images
AdvertisementAlthough Jolie and Haven were still close after their mother passed away, their relationship started to decline after Haven began working as Jolie and Pitts full-time nanny.
He said Voight had always been a difficult man, and the years of bearing the brunt of his ill temper left him with a terrible opinion of his dad. Luckily, Haven and Jolie had each other throughout the difficulty and remained close as adults.
James Haven and Angelina Jolie at the after-party for the premiere of “Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life” in Los Angeles, California on July 21, 2003. | Source: Getty Images
The kiss that turned numerous heads happened when Jolie won the Oscar for her role in “Girl, Interrupted.” The actress planted a big kiss on Havens lips as her name was called.
In her speech, she said, “I am just so in love with my brother! He just held me and said he loved me … Jamie, youre just … I have nothing without you.”
Angelina Jolie kisses James Haven during 57th Annual Golden Globe Awards – Press Room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, California on January 23, 2000. | Source: Getty Images
How Jolie and Haven Banded Together
Ever since they were kids, Haven and Jolie have been each others primary sources of support. With only two years separating them, theyve had each others backs ever since their parents divorced when Jolie was two years old. Haven also noted that his sister may have influenced his personal life, :
“Maybe I havent found the right woman because my sister is too picky for me.”
Angelina Jolie and James Haven at the 56th Annual Golden Globe Awards – red carpet on January 24, 1999 | Source: Getty Images
Marcheline Bertrand, mother to Jolie and her brother, sadly passed away in 2007 after a long battle with ovarian cancer. It was reported that Jolie and Haven stuck together while their beloved mother battled against the debilitating illness.
Jolie had been incredibly close with her mother throughout her life and sorely missed Bertrand at her wedding. Nonetheless, the actress and Haven honored the late Bertrand by wearing some of her jewelry to the ceremony.
Angelina Jolie and James Haven in 2004. | Source: Getty Images
Jolie chose a flower ring from her mothers jewelry box, while Haven wore an angel pin on his lapel. Jolies groom, Brad Pitt, honored the late Bertrand with a special engraving made in the church where they married.
Angelina Jolie and James Haven at the “Alexander” world premiere after party on November 16, 2004. | Source: Getty Images
Over the years, Jolie has opened up about her late mom, saying Bertrand was one of the people who inspired her most in her life. The “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” star referred to her late mother as one of her closest friends, noting:
“[She was] the most compassionate woman I know. There are no words to express what an amazing woman and mother she was. She was our best friend.”
Marcheline Bertrand and Angelina Jolie at LAX on August 4, 1998. | Source: Getty Images
AdvertisementThe Decline of Jolie and Havens Relationship
Although Jolie and Haven were still close after their mother passed away, their relationship started to decline after Haven began working as Jolie and Pitts full-time nanny.
When Jolie and Pitt entered negotiations in the early days of their divorce and custody battle, Haven reportedly stepped in and acted as a caretaker for the Jolie-Pitt children. He used to babysit for Pitt and Jolie whenever they felt overwhelmed or needed a night to themselves.
Angelina Jolie and James Haven on October 24, 2005 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Haven kept the kids busy, often taking them out and spending time with them. He was seen with the Jolie-Pitt kids numerous times, once taking them out for fresh air in a local park. A source close to the family noted that Haven got along great with the children.
After a year of looking after the children, Haven was reportedly quietly let go from his nanny role. Little is known about why, but numerous sources have suggested that Jolie and Haven drifted apart over the years.
Haven hasnt been seen with his sister since being dismissed as her nanny in 2017. The actress allegedly stopped talking to him out of the blue. Both siblings have refused to elaborate on the real reason behind their sudden iciness, and sources close to them also seemed baffled.
James Haven at the Graumans Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 11, 2002 | Source: Getty Images
AdvertisementJames Havens Return to Christianity and Life in Recent Years
Haven reportedly found his way back to Christianity in 2009. Reports emerged that he became part of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California. Some sources even suggested he was training to become a youth minister in 2012.
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Havens return to his faith allegedly inspired him to mend his relationship with his dad. The actor landed a role in the 2024 film “Court of Conscience,” co-starring his father and Anton Yelchin.
James Haven nd Jon Voight at the 9th installment of “Kat Kramers Films That Change The World” on June 3, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
During a 2024 interview, Haven candidly revealed that his famous sisters immense success in Hollywood had him questioning his own abilities. He recalled how no one asked him to feature in movies and mostly ignored him.
However, Haven did not harbor any negative feelings towards his family members. Instead, the actor revealed that he still wanted to be there for his sister despite their distance.
James Haven during a podcast interview in 2024. | Source: YouTube/ Planet Redd
As for his personal life, Haven was not married and did not have any children at the time of writing. For some time, he thought of adopting, but only if he found the right woman to raise a child with.
Although Angelina Jolie and Haven havent been speaking, the actresss brother has had a tremendous effect on her life. The actress named her daughter Shiloh, the name her parents would have given her brother. Haven also reportedly tried to reunite Jolie with their long-estranged father.
