Angelina Jolie confirmed the morbid career that she had studied in the past before her success as a movie star.
The Maleficent actress, 49 – who recently debuted a new bird tattoo on her arm at the 2024 Gotham Awards on Monday – opened up about the topic on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon.
In a special preview ahead of Thursday’s episode, the SNL alum told the star, ‘You’re an incredible actor, but I saw some things online.
‘I was wondering if I could ask you if these rumors are true of other careers that you might have had. I’d be interested to see if any of these are real.’
After Angelina said she was also ‘interested’ to hear the rumors, Jimmy asked, ‘First of all, is it true that prior to acting you were studying to become a funeral director?’
The Oscar winner simply replied with, ‘Yes,’ before humorously adding, ‘Doesn’t it make sense though?’
Angelina Jolie revealed the morbid career that she had studied in the past before her success as a movie star; seen earlier this month in NYC
In a special preview ahead of Thursday’s episode, the SNL alum told the star, ‘You’re an incredible actor, but I saw some things online’
In regards to why she was initially drawn to the career, Jolie recalled, ‘My grandfather died, and I remember thinking this is not how they should be.
‘This should be a celebration of life. And since I’m not afraid of death and I was comfortable with it, I thought, “This would be a great career path for me… I could, like, make this better. I could do a thing here.’
Fallon agreed with the actress by saying, ‘We need more people like that,’ and Jolie added, ‘It’s my fall-back career now.’
Jolie’s appearance on The Tonight Show on Thursday will be her first late night show in 10 years.
The mother-of-six previously discussed wanting to be a funeral director during an appearance on 60 Minutes back in 2011.
At the time, the star expressed, ‘It sounds like this very strange, eccentric, dark thing to do but in fact I lost my grandfather and was very upset with his funeral.’
‘How somebody passes and how family deals with this passing and what death is should be addressed in a different way. If this whole acting thing didn’t work out that was going to be my path.’
Jolie has been keeping busy while promoting her upcoming Netflix biopic, Maria, which is slated to become available on the streaming site on December 11.
After Angelina said she was also ‘interested’ to hear the rumors, Jimmy asked, ‘First of all, is it true that prior to acting you were studying to become a funeral director?’
In regards to why she was initially drawn to the career, Jolie recalled, ‘My grandfather died, and I remember thinking this is not how they should be’
‘How somebody passes and how family deals with this passing and what death is should be addressed in a different way. If this whole acting thing didn’t work out that was going to be my path,’ she said back in 2011; seen in October in London
The film was directed by Pablo Larrain – who is behind other projects such as Jackie (2016) and Spencer (2021).
Along with Jolie, other stars that have been cast in the film include Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher, Haluk Bilginer and Kodi Smit-McPhee.
In August, the biopic first premiered during the 81st Venice International Film Festival, where it competed for the Golden Lion.
The premise of the film is: ‘Maria Callas, the world’s greatest opera singer, lives the last days of her life in 1970s Paris, as she confronts her identity and life,’ per an IMDB synopsis.
In October, the official trailer for Maria was released – and quickly ignited Oscars buzz among fans.
During a recent interview with The Sunday Times, Angelina talked about her children Maddox and Pax helping out on the film, Maria, as production assistants.
The star notably shares Maddox, 23, Pax, 21, Zahara, 19, Shiloh, 18, as well as twins Knox and Vivienne, 16, with Brad Pitt.
The pair married in 2014, but filed for divorce in 2016 before being declared legally single in 2019. However, Angelina and Brad are set to head to trial next year amidst a legal battle over their French vineyard.
‘They were able to consider the relationships in the film and the violence – things that sometimes you don’t have the opportunity to discuss with your sons, so I felt fortunate.’
Jolie has been keeping busy while promoting her upcoming Netflix biopic, Maria, which is slated to become available on the streaming site on December 11
And while previously speaking to The Hollywood Reporter in August, she further reflected on her kids having the chance to gain experience on set.
‘Mad and Pax were on this one. Doing AD [assistant directing] work. They’ve done that quite a few times, and I think that’s good for them,’ she stated.
‘Pax tends to do stills and he gets brought in, and [director] Pablo was wonderful and recognized that he was good at it.’
Angelina also revealed the reason why she decided to step back in front of the camera – and explained that she didn’t need to be home as much for her kids.
‘They’re a bit older, getting more independent. I’m less needed and so able to go away for different periods of time.’
She added, ‘And they’re old enough to join me at work. It’s a new season in our lives. I’m very excited for them to be coming into their own more and more every day.’
While also talking to The Times, she revealed that she is getting ‘better work’ in Hollywood as she has ‘gotten older.’
‘I don’t think about it in terms of roles offered but in terms of life experience you contribute. It’s easier for actors than singers or dancers because your body doesn’t change.’
Jolie then expressed that she disagreed with Maria Callas’ views on aging but praised the late opera singer’s ‘commitment’ to her passion.
During a recent interview with The Sunday Times, Angelina talked about her children Maddox and Pax helping out on the film, Maria, as production assistants; seen in September with Pax, Zahara and Maddox
It came shortly before a source told Page Six that Pitt ‘is missing his kids and wishes he had a closer relationship with them; seen in Sept
‘I’m a hard worker. And a deeply feeling person. Maria is vulnerable because she feels and isn’t sometimes able to protect herself from the loneliness or emotional pain. Because it’s part of her life and work to be extremely human and live that way.’
The actress added, ‘You live through your communication with the audience. For Maria and for me that has always been extremely important.’
As Jolie prepares for the official release of the film on Netflix, she is also amidst an ongoing divorce battle with ex Brad Pitt.
The actor was recently ordered to hand over documents that could prove he had been abusive to Jolie and their children.
It came shortly before a source told Page Six that Pitt ‘is missing his kids and wishes he had a closer relationship with them, particularly with celebrating the holidays and his birthday this month.’
Pitt – who is currently in a relationship with Ines de Ramon – will celebrate his 61st birthday on December 18.
And on Wednesday, a separate insider informed DailyMail.com that Brad is ‘begging his twins’ to be with him to celebrate.
The source added he ‘loves his kids and it would mean the world to him to have them spend his special day with him.’
‘But it is not looking so great so far. Some of the kids still talk to him, some do not. It is very tricky.’
