Angelina Jolie reveals she once studied to become a funeral director before her acting career

Angelina Jolie confirms that her grandfather’s death inspired her to become a funeral director.

In a candid revelation on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Angelina Jolie, the acclaimed actress known for her roles in Maleficent and Mr. & Mrs. Smith, confirmed she once considered a career as a funeral director before her Hollywood success.

Jolie, 49, humorously shared with Fallon that, yes, she had studied to become a funeral director. She explained that the idea was sparked by the death of her grandfather. “This should be a celebration of life,” she reflected, explaining that she was drawn to the profession because of her comfort with death. “I thought, ‘I could make this better.’”

The star emphasized that her career in funeral directing was a genuine interest born from a desire to change the way people approach death and funerals. “It’s my fall-back career now,” she said, acknowledging her deep empathy for the subject.

This isn’t the first time Jolie has shared her unconventional career aspiration. In a 2011 60 Minutes interview, she revealed how her grandfather’s funeral left a lasting impression on her. She felt the process was lacking and saw an opportunity to help families navigate grief in a more meaningful way.

Jolie's revelation provides insight into her reflective and introspective nature, qualities that also influence her work as an actress and director. Currently, she’s promoting her upcoming Netflix biopic Maria, set to release on December 11, about the iconic opera singer Maria Callas.

Despite her success in Hollywood, Angelina Jolie's open acknowledgment of her interest in becoming a funeral director highlights her ongoing exploration of life, death, and legacy.