Angelina Jolie recently shared her thoughts on aging in Hollywood, expressing that she is now receiving “better work” as she gets older. The 49-year-old actress highlighted how her career has evolved over the years, noting that her roles have become more enriching and fulfilling with time. Jolie, known for her iconic performances and activism, emphasized that growing older has allowed her to take on more meaningful projects, reflecting a shift in the industry’s perception of women as they age.
Angelina Jolie shared her perspective on aging, saying, “I don’t think about it in terms of roles offered but in terms of life experience you contribute.” She also spoke fondly about her children during the interview, highlighting how motherhood has influenced her outlook.
Jolie further noted, “It’s easier for actors than singers or dancers because your body doesn’t change” as much with aging. While she disagreed with opera singer Maria Callas’ fear of aging, Jolie expressed admiration for Callas’ “commitment” to her work, acknowledging the dedication required to sustain a career over time.
Angelina Jolie spoke about her approach to acting, saying, “I’m a hard worker,” and describing herself as a “deeply feeling person.” She reflected on the vulnerability of opera singer Maria Callas, noting that Callas’ emotional openness led to struggles with loneliness and emotional pain, which she couldn’t always protect herself from. Jolie admired Callas’ ability to live and work with such raw humanity, explaining, “You live through your communication with the audience. For Maria and for me, that has always been extremely important.”
Jolie also shared insights into her early career as a method actress, recalling how, during the filming of Gia (1998), she immersed herself so fully in the role of a drug-addicted supermodel that she told her then-husband, Jonny Lee Miller, she wouldn’t be able to call him from set. This intense dedication eventually led her to briefly retire, feeling she had “nothing else to give.”
Reflecting on her youthful approach to acting, Jolie said, “As a young actor, you say yes to everything. Can you ride horses? Can you speak this language? Then you have to learn.”
Jolie’s career has been marked by a range of iconic roles, including an Oscar-winning performance in Girl, Interrupted (1999) and international stardom with Tomb Raider (2001, 2003). Her other notable films include Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Wanted, Salt, and Maleficent.
Maria, directed by Pablo Larraín, who is also behind films like Jackie (2016) and Spencer (2021), features Angelina Jolie in the lead role of opera legend Maria Callas. The cast also includes Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher, Haluk Bilginer, and Kodi Smit-McPhee. The biopic premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival in August, competing for the prestigious Golden Lion. After a limited theatrical release in the United States on November 27, the film will be available for streaming on Netflix starting December 11.
The movie centers on the final years of Maria Callas’ life in 1970s Paris, exploring her struggle with identity and her life’s complexities, as described in the IMDb synopsis.
In her interview, Jolie also shared how her personal experience differs from Callas’ in terms of loneliness. “I don’t feel that because I have family. Maria didn’t have a family, so her work was everything. My work is not everything. Being a parent is everything,” she explained. Jolie, who has sparked Oscar buzz for her portrayal of Callas, is a mother to six children—Maddox (23), Pax (21), Zahara (19), Shiloh (18), and twins Knox and Vivienne (16)—whom she shares with ex-husband Brad Pitt.
