The Stunning Angelina Jolie: Much More Than a Pretty Face

Voted the sexiest woman in the world by readers of the men's magazine, FHM, husky-voiced, 5'8" Angelina Jolie is no stranger to mass attention. Whether it's the millions who admire her for her beauty, her work in Hollywood, or the refugees she represents as a U.N. ambassador, Jolie has a vast, eclectic fan base. Yes, she's gorgeous, but that's only part of her draw. Born in Los Angeles on June 4, 1975 to actress Marcheline Bertrand and Academy Award-winning actor John Voight, Angelina made her acting debut at six years old with the 1982 movie, "Lookin' to Get Out," a film which also starred Voight, her now-estranged father.

As a child, Jolie often dreamed of becoming a funeral director. Instead, after graduating from Beverly Hills High School at 16, she went on to pursue a career as a professional model, and worked in London, New York, and Los Angeles. From there, she went on to train and perform at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute, where she acted in several stage productions. In 1993, she returned to film, with "Cyborg 2."

In 1997, Jolie was awarded a Golden Globe for best supporting actress and an Emmy nomination for her role as Cornelia Wallace in the TV movie "George Wallace." She won her second Golden Globe for her role in HBO's biopic "Gia." Her supporting role in 1999's "Girl, Interrupted" earned her yet another Golden Globe and an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.

In 2000, Jolie was named one of People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People." Armed with talent and beauty, she was hired for more starring roles. In 2001, she was able to command a sizable salary of $7 million for "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider," then in 2003, a handsome $12 million for its sequel.

But Jolie has proven to be less conforming than Hollywood's other contemporary leading ladies. After all, she collects knives, has a number of tattoos, and she reports that her fascination for mortuary sciences is still alive and well.

In 1996, Jolie wed actor Jonny Lee Miller wearing black leather pants and a white shirt. Across the back of the shirt, she inscribed her husband's name in her own blood. Less than three years later, the couple filed for divorce.