Early Life & Background
- Full Name: Jonathan Vincent Voight (Jon Voight)
- Born: December 29, 1938
- Birthplace: Yonkers, New York, USA
- Parents:
- Elmer Voight – Professional golfer
- Barbara Kamp – Homemaker
- Education: Studied at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., earning a degree in Fine Arts before pursuing acting.
Career Highlights
1960s–1970s: Rise to Fame
- Breakthrough Role: Midnight Cowboy (1969) – Played Joe Buck, a small-town hustler, earning his first Academy Award nomination.
- Major Films:
- Deliverance (1972) – A survival thriller that became a classic.
- Coming Home (1978) – Won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as a paraplegic Vietnam veteran.
1980s–1990s: Established Star
- Starred in Runaway Train (1985), earning another Oscar nomination.
- Played supporting roles in hit films like Heat (1995) and Mission: Impossible (1996).
- Portrayed a villain in Anaconda (1997) and appeared in The Rainmaker (1997).
2000s–Present: Resurgence & Later Roles
- Notable Roles:
- Ali (2001) – Played Howard Cosell.
- National Treasure (2004) – Played Nicolas Cage’s father.
- Ray Donovan (2013–2020) – Earned a Golden Globe for his performance as Mickey Donovan.
- Continues to act in films and TV series.
Personal Life
- Married to actress Marcheline Bertrand (1971–1980); they had two children, including actress Angelina Jolie.
- Known for his conservative political views and outspoken opinions on social issues.
Legacy & Impact
Jon Voight is regarded as one of the finest actors of his generation, with a career spanning over five decades in Hollywood. His performances in Midnight Cowboy, Coming Home, and Ray Donovan have solidified his legacy.
