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Before becoming a Hollywood icon, Angelina Jolie had considered a very different career path. During her appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon—her first late-night talk show in a decade—the Oscar-winning actress, 49, confirmed that she once aspired to be a funeral director.
In an exclusive preview shared with People, Fallon, 50, broached the topic with curiosity. "You're an incredible actor, but I saw some things online about other careers you might have considered. Are any of these true?" he asked.
Jolie smiled playfully, replying, "I'm curious too. Go ahead."
Fallon continued, "Is it true that before acting, you were studying to become a funeral director?"
To his surprise, Jolie confirmed, "Yes," before joking, "Doesn't it make sense though?" She elaborated, "When my grandfather passed away, I remember thinking, 'This isn't how it should be.' Funerals should be a celebration of life. Since I'm not afraid of death and feel comfortable with it, I thought, 'This could be a meaningful career. I could really make a difference and improve this process for families.'"
Fallon enthusiastically agreed, "Yes, we need more people like that." Jolie quipped, "It's my fallback career now," prompting laughter.
Jolie is currently promoting her latest film, Maria, in which she portrays legendary opera singer Maria Callas. The drama, now in select theaters, will debut on Netflix on Dec. 11.
This isn't the first time Jolie has discussed her interest in becoming a funeral director. In a 2011 interview on 60 Minutes, she revealed that she seriously considered the profession after her grandfather's funeral left her dissatisfied.
"It might sound eccentric or dark, but it wasn't like that for me," she said at the time. "I lost my grandfather and was deeply upset by how his funeral was handled. I started thinking about how families deal with loss and how death is addressed. I thought there must be a better way to honor someone's life. If acting hadn't worked out, funeral directing was my backup plan."
Jolie, who is also a mother of six, has always demonstrated her ability to find deeper meaning in her pursuits. Whether acting, directing, or reflecting on life's profound moments, she remains driven by a passion to make an impact.
