Biography for
Jon Voight

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His brother is songwriter Wes Voight who, under the alias Chip Taylor, wrote The Troggs' 1966 smash hit "Wild Thing." His other songs include "Angel of the Morning" (Merrilee Rush), "I Can't Let Go" (The Hollies), etc.

Father of actor James Haven (b. 1973) and actress Angelina Jolie (b. 1975) with Marcheline Bertrand.

Godfather of Skyler Shaye.

Attended Archbishop Stepinac High School, and all-boy school in White Plains, New York.

Beat out Gene Hackman for the role of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in Pearl Harbor (2001).

His father Elmer Voytka, later Voight (born 29 Oct 1909 and died June 1973), was a professional golfer.

Honored at fund-raiser for Joseph Papp Children's Humanitarian Fund in New York City, May 2002.

Graduated from Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, in 1960. Changed his major after his Freshman year from Speech and Drama to Art.

His paternal grandfather was a Slovak immigrant. His mother Barbara Kamp (born in New York, 7 January 1910 and died Palm Beach Co., Florida, 3 December 1995) was the daughter of Joseph Kamp, a German immigrant, and wife Margaret Franz, also the daughter of German immigrants.

Played father to Rick Schroder twice: The first time in The Champ (1979) and the second time in "Return to Lonesome Dove" (1993).

In 1982, he (Presenter) accepted the Oscar for "Best Actress in a Leading Role" on behalf of Katharine Hepburn, who wasn't present at the awards ceremony

In 1970, he accepted the Oscar for "Best Director" on behalf of John Schlesinger, who wasn't present at the awards ceremony. Schlesinger directed Voight in Midnight Cowboy (1969).

Turned down the role of "Matt Hooper" in Jaws (1975). The role went to Richard Dreyfuss.

In 1993, he took over the role of "Woodrow F. Call" from Tommy Lee Jones in "Return to Lonesome Dove" (1993). Three years later, he was succeeded by Jonny Lee Miller, who played the younger version of Call in "Dead Man's Walk" (1996). That same year, Miller married Voight's daughter, Angelina Jolie, making Voight a short-term father-in-law to his own successor.

Has played a boxer in two films: The All-American Boy (1973) and The Champ (1979). Was also in Ali (2001), but played the role of legendary sportscaster Howard Cosell.

Has played a coach in two films: Varsity Blues (1999) and Glory Road (2006).

Turned down the role of Oliver (played by 'Ryan O'Neal (I)') in Love Story (1970), despite being offered 10% of the gross.

His brother Barry Voight was a geology professor at Penn State.

In an episode of "Seinfeld" (1990), George (Jason Alexander) buys a Chrysler Lebaron convertible he believes once belonged to Jon Voight only to discover that the previous owner was actually "John" Voight, a periodontist.

On December 9, 2001, he appeared as a surprise guest on the "Muppets Tonight" (1996) show dressed as a giant chicken with Gonzo the Great. The event was part of the first annual MuppetFest fan convention and a fund-raiser for Save The Children.

Was considered for the role of Clark Kent/Superman in Superman (1978).

Godparents of his daughter Angelina are Maximilian Schell and Jacqueline Bisset.

Grandfather of Maddox Jolie Pitt, Zahara Jolie Pitt, Shiloh Nouvel Jolie Pitt, and Pax Thien Jolie Pitt.

Actively supported Rudolph W. Giuliani's campaign to win the Republican nomination in 2008, but later endorsed the eventual nominee Senator John McCain.

A hawk on the war on terror, he voted for George W. Bush in the 2004 presidential election.

Personal Quotes

In most ways it was a damn good picture. But if we remade Midnight Cowboy (1969) today, the whole relationship between Buck and Ratso would have to be sexualized or at least made, you know, like in love...to be sexually or erotically honest.

If Washington is a two-party town, why can't Hollywood be one too?

He's really extreme, but he's always trying to say something to cover it. He's like a Leftist from the Sixties. I was on the Left, that's why I know who he is. He says he'll talk to everybody like Hamas and Iran, but it's simpleminded candy he's throwing to the extreme left wing. He'd be the biggest disaster for Israel - and all democracies - that I can think of. - On Senator Barack Obama

Where Are They Now

(2007) Working as partner at Paul Productions.

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