Angelina Jolie reveals she was ready to quit acting before divorce
The actress reveals her kids helped her reconnect with her career
Angelina Jolie has revealed that she was prepared to leave acting behind before her divorce changed her plans, saying she had already begun distancing herself from Hollywood.
Variety reported the Oscar-winning actor and filmmaker, Angelina Jolie, said she had reached a point where acting no longer felt like her main focus.
“I had kind of quit acting before my divorce,” Jolie said.
She explained that at the time she was prioritising directing and humanitarian work, while only taking on select acting roles that fit around her family life.
Divorce Changed Her Career Direction
Jolie said her personal circumstances forced her to rethink that decision, reshaping how she approached work and long-term commitments.
The shift, she added, made acting feel less like something she was leaving behind and more like something she could reintroduce on her own terms.
Children Encouraged Her Return
Jolie credited her children with playing a central role in bringing her back to acting, saying they helped her reconnect with a more active lifestyle and career mindset.
“My kids are encouraging me to get out and do things,” she said, adding that they know her “more than anybody” and have supported her return to work and travel.
She said their encouragement helped her rediscover parts of herself she had put aside while focusing heavily on parenting.
Selective Approach to Future Roles
Now, Jolie said she is far more intentional about the projects she chooses, focusing on flexibility and emotional value rather than volume of work.
She added that acting is no longer about maintaining constant presence in Hollywood, but about choosing roles that fit alongside her family responsibilities and personal priorities.
