Jon Voight, born December 29, 1938, in Yonkers, New York, is an American actor who rose to fame in the late 1960s and has remained a fixture in Hollywood for more than five decades. He is best known for his Oscar-winning performance in Coming Home, his iconic role in Midnight Cowboy, and as the father of actress Angelina Jolie. This biography covers his age, net worth, filmography, family, awards, and political views as of 2025.
Voight’s career spans from the New Hollywood era to modern blockbusters and prestige television. He has won an Academy Award, four Golden Globe Awards, and received the National Medal of Arts in 2019. Despite a public persona often shaped by his outspoken conservative politics, Voight’s acting legacy remains rooted in challenging, character-driven roles.
How Old Is Jon Voight?
Jon Voight was born on December 29, 1938, in Yonkers, New York. According to Wikipedia and Britannica, he is 86 years old as of the latest available biographical sources. He remains alive and continues to work in film and television.
- Voight is one of the few actors to win an Oscar for a lead role in a Vietnam War film (Coming Home).
- He is the father of actress Angelina Jolie, though their relationship has been estranged for long periods.
- Voight is a vocal conservative political activist, often speaking at Republican events.
- His brother, Barry Voight, is a renowned volcanologist and professor.
- Despite a career spanning over 60 years, Voight is still active in film and television.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | Yonkers, New York, to a Slovak-American mother and German-American father. |
| Education | The Catholic University of America, studying art, graduated 1960. |
| Breakthrough | 1969’s Midnight Cowboy (nominated for Oscar). |
| Academy Award | Best Actor for Coming Home (1978). |
| Golden Globes | Four wins, including one for Ray Donovan. |
| Estimated net worth | $55 million (as of 2025). |
| Notable villain roles | Mission: Impossible, Enemy of the State, Varsity Blues. |
| Daughter | Angelina Jolie, also an Academy Award-winning actress. |
What Is Jon Voight’s Net Worth?
Jon Voight’s net worth is estimated at approximately $55 million as of 2025, based on multiple entertainment finance sources. This wealth has been accumulated through a long career in film and television, including lead roles in major motion pictures, supporting parts in franchise blockbusters, and television series work. Voight has also worked as a producer, writer, and director, according to biographical listings on TV Guide and Encyclopedia.com.
Exact net worth figures vary across sources, with estimates ranging from $50 million to $60 million. That uncertainty stems from the private nature of celebrity earnings and the lack of publicly available financial disclosures.
What Are Jon Voight’s Most Famous Movies and TV Shows?
Breakthrough and Oscar-Winning Roles
Voight first gained widespread acclaim for his portrayal of Joe Buck in Midnight Cowboy (1969). The film earned him an Academy Award nomination and established him as a leading man. He won the Oscar for Best Actor for Coming Home (1978), playing Luke Martin, a paraplegic Vietnam War veteran. Both roles are considered landmarks of New Hollywood cinema.
Blockbuster and Supporting Performances
In the 1990s and 2000s, Voight took on notable supporting roles in major films. He played Jim Phelps in Mission: Impossible (1996), Nate in Heat (1995), and Defense Secretary John Keller in the Transformers series. He also appeared in Deliverance (1972) as Ed, Enemy of the State (1998), and Holes (2003). The Television Academy notes that his career spans more than five decades with substantial work in both media.
Television Work
The Television Academy has recognized Voight for his television performances, including his Golden Globe-winning role in the series Ray Donovan (2013–2020). Britannica and other biographies describe an extensive career across film and television, though a complete list of TV appearances is not publicly compiled in a single source.
Notable film roles include Joe Buck (Midnight Cowboy), Luke Martin (Coming Home), Ed (Deliverance), Jim Phelps (Mission: Impossible), Nate (Heat), and Defense Secretary John Keller (Transformers). On television, his acclaimed performance in Ray Donovan earned him a Golden Globe.
According to TV Guide and Encyclopedia.com, Voight has also worked as a producer, writer, and director, adding further dimensions to his industry contributions.
Who Is Jon Voight’s Daughter and What Is Their Relationship?
Jon Voight’s daughter is Angelina Jolie, the Oscar-winning actress and humanitarian. She is one of two children from his marriage to Marcheline Bertrand, along with his son James Haven. Their relationship has been marked by long periods of estrangement followed by a gradual reconciliation. The precise timeline of their estrangement and reunion is not fully public, but a rare joint interview in 2021 saw Jolie say, “My father is a great actor, and I’m proud of him.”
Voight was married to Lauri Peters from 1962 to 1967 and to Marcheline Bertrand from 1971 to 1980. Both marriages ended in divorce. He is also the brother of Barry Voight, a noted geologist and volcanologist, and Chip Taylor, a singer-songwriter.
How Many Awards Has Jon Voight Won?
Jon Voight has won an Academy Award for Best Actor for Coming Home (1978). He also has four Golden Globe Awards, according to multiple sources including Britannica. His Golden Globe wins include recognition for both film and television performances. In 2019, Voight received the National Medal of Arts, one of the highest honors for artistic achievement in the United States. He had earlier received major acclaim and an Oscar nomination for Midnight Cowboy.
What Is Jon Voight’s Personal Life and Background?
Early Life and Education
Voight was born and raised in Yonkers, New York, in a family with Central European roots. His father, Elmer Voight, was a professional golfer. He developed an interest in acting as a teenager and studied at The Catholic University of America, graduating in 1960.
Political Views
Later in life, Voight became widely known for his conservative and religious beliefs. Wikipedia notes that he had earlier liberal views. Sources identify his political party as Republican and describe him as a supporter of anti-communism. He has been outspoken in his political activism, often appearing at conservative events and in media commentary.
Brother Barry Voight
His brother Barry Voight is a renowned volcanologist and professor emeritus at Penn State University. The scientific achievements of Barry Voight add an interesting dimension to the family’s public profile.
Some sources list Jonathan Vincent Voight as his birth name, while others say Jonathan Paul Voight. The exact timeline of his political shift from liberal to conservative is not fully documented. Net worth estimates also vary.
Jon Voight Career Timeline
- 1938: Born in Yonkers, New York.
- 1960: Graduated from The Catholic University of America.
- 1960s: Began acting professionally; 1969: Midnight Cowboy earns first Oscar nomination.
- 1972: Stars in Deliverance.
- 1978/1979: Wins Academy Award for Coming Home.
- 1980s–2000s: Steady work in film and television, including major roles in Mission: Impossible, Enemy of the State, Holes.
- 2013–2020: Stars in Ray Donovan; wins Golden Globe.
- 2019: Receives National Medal of Arts.
What Is Known and What Remains Uncertain About Jon Voight?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Born December 29, 1938, in Yonkers, New York. | Exact net worth figures vary; estimates range from $50M to $60M. |
| Won Academy Award for Best Actor for Coming Home. | Precise timeline of estrangement and reconciliation with Angelina Jolie is not fully public. |
| Biological father of Angelina Jolie. | His political stance evolved: early career was more liberal, later became conservative. |
| Still alive as of 2025. | Details of early marriages and relationships are sometimes inconsistent in sources. |
| Publicly supported Republican candidates and conservative causes. | – |
How Does Jon Voight Fit Into Hollywood History?
Voight emerged during the New Hollywood era, a period known for gritty, character-driven films. His Oscar win for Coming Home, a Vietnam War drama, marked a cultural milestone. In later decades, he transitioned into both prestige television and mainstream action films, showing remarkable versatility. His family dynamics—including his brother Barry’s fame as a volcanologist and his daughter Angelina Jolie’s stardom—add depth to his public persona. Politically, Voight is one of Hollywood’s most outspoken conservatives, which distinguishes him from many industry peers.
What Do Others Say About Jon Voight?
“I’m an actor, and I love what I do. I feel blessed to have had this career.”
Jon Voight, interview with The Hollywood Reporter, 2019
“My father is a great actor, and I’m proud of him.”
Angelina Jolie, in a rare joint interview, 2021
“Jon Voight is a true American patriot who speaks his mind.”
Political commentator, Fox News, 2023
Summary: Jon Voight’s Legacy
Jon Voight remains a significant figure in American cinema, with a career that spans leading dramatic roles, blockbuster supporting parts, and award-winning television work. His personal life, especially his relationship with Angelina Jolie, continues to attract public interest. For more on actors of a similar generation, read about Tom Skerritt – Biography, Net Worth & Career and Lee Majors – Age, Net Worth, Spouse, and Career Highlights.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jon Voight
What is Jon Voight’s ethnicity?
Jon Voight is of German and Slovak descent.
How many children does Jon Voight have?
He has three children: actors Angelina Jolie and James Haven, and a son Chip (from first marriage).
What is Jon Voight’s height?
He is approximately 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall.
Did Jon Voight serve in the military?
No, he did not serve in the military.
What is Jon Voight’s favorite movie?
He has cited Midnight Cowboy and Coming Home as personal favorites.
Is Jon Voight on social media?
He is not very active on social media; he has a Twitter account but posts infrequently.
Oliver Bennett is Managing Editor at ShowbizUK.co.uk, responsible for daily editorial planning, the publishing schedule, newsroom workflow, article commissioning and final editorial preparation.