Jon Voight

Biography

Jonathan Vincent "Jon" Voight, born on December 29, 1938, is a distinguished American actor recognized for his compelling performances across film and television. Voight achieved widespread acclaim in the late 1960s with his notable role as a hopeful gigolo in the groundbreaking film Midnight Cowboy (1969). He solidified his status as a Hollywood icon throughout the 1970s with memorable roles, including a businessman embroiled in murder in Deliverance (1972), a paraplegic Vietnam veteran in Coming Home (1978)—a performance that earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor—and a down-and-out ex-boxing champion in The Champ (1979).

While his career saw a dip in the 1980s, Voight bounced back with critical praise for his portrayal of a relentless bank robber in Runaway Train (1985). The 1990s brought him further recognition, particularly for his role as a manipulative attorney in The Rainmaker (1997).

Entering the 2000s, Voight delivered powerful biographical performances, taking on the roles of sportscaster Howard Cosell in Ali (2001), Nazi officer Jürgen Stroop in Uprising (2001), and Pope John Paul II in the acclaimed television film of the same name (2005). Beyond his impressive career, Voight is also known as the father of actress Angelina Jolie, further intertwining his legacy in Hollywood.