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.
Back in 2000, Jolie attracted the media’s 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 father’s rage side-by-side.
Angelina Jolie and James Haven in Beverly Hills, California, January 24, 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 than their strengths. Jolie and Haven’s parents split in 1976, which formed a strong bond between the siblings. Haven recalled that he and Jolie stood up to his father and became protective over their mother as well.
Although Jolie and Haven were still close after their mother passed away, their relationship started to ebb after Haven began working as Jolie and Pitt’s full-time nanny.
After years of having a bad relationship with his dad, Haven had few good memories of the man. 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 ordeal and remained close as adults.
John Voight, Angelina Jolie, and James Haven on April 11,1988 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Angelina Jolie and James Haven on July 21, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
How Jolie and Haven Banded Together
Ever since they were kids, Haven and Jolie have been each other’s primary sources of support. With only two years separating them, they’ve had each other’s backs ever since their parents divorced when Jolie was two years old. Haven also noted that his sister may have influenced his personal life, commenting:
“Maybe I haven’t found the right woman because my sister is too picky for me.”
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.
Angelina Jolie and James Haven in Beverly Hills, 2000. | Source: Getty Images
Angelina Jolie and James Haven, 1999. | Source: Getty Images
James Haven in Hollywood, California in 2006. | Source: Getty Images
Nonetheless, Jolie and Haven honored the late Bertrand by wearing some of her jewelry to the ceremony. Jolie chose a flower ring from her mother’s jewelry box, while Haven elected to wear an angel pin on his lapel. Jolie’s groom, Brad Pitt, honored the late Bertrand with a special engraving made in the church where they married.
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, and the actress referred to her late mother as one of her closest friends. Jolie also noted how Bertrand inspired her to engage in humanitarian work:
“[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.”
Angelina Jolie, Knox Jolie-Pitt, Maddox Jolie-Pitt, and James Haven on June 17, 2016 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Angelina Jolie and James Haven in 2004. | Source: Getty Images
Angelina Jolie and James Haven on October 24, 2005 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Although Jolie and Haven were still close after their mother passed away, their relationship started to ebb after Haven began working as Jolie and Pitt’s 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. Haven kept the kids busy, often taking them out and spending time with them. He was seen with the Jolie-Pitt kids on numerous occasions, once taking them out for some fresh air in a local park. A source close to the family noted that Haven got along great with the kids.
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 away from each other over the years. Haven hasn’t been seen with his sister after being dismissed as her nanny in 2017.
Angelina Jolie and James Haven in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
James Haven and Jon Voight on May 2, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Source: Getty Images
Haven used to babysit for Pitt and Jolie whenever they felt overwhelmed or needed a night to themselves, but the actress allegedly stopped talking to her brother out of the blue. Jolie and Haven have both refused to elaborate on the real reason behind their sudden iciness, and sources close to them also seem baffled.
Haven had a short career as an actor, but it seems he has left the business for good. Although he has a few titles to his name, including “Original Sin” and “Stay Alive,” Haven’s last role was in a 2014 short film titled “Easy Silence.” Ever since then, he seems to have retired to a regular life in Los Angeles.
Haven also reportedly found his way back to Christianity in 2009. There were reports that he was becoming part of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California and some sources even suggested he was training to become a youth minister in 2012. His return to his faith apparently inspired him to mend his relationship with his dad.
James Haven with guest at the World Premiere of “Maleficent” on May 28, 2014 in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
Although Jolie and Haven haven’t been speaking, the actress’s brother has had a tremendous effect on her life. Jolie and Pitt named their daughter Shiloh after the name her parents would have given her brother. Haven also reportedly encouraged his sister to mend fences with her long-estranged father on a trip to Italy.
