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Jon Voight Facts
| Sign | Capricorn |
| Born |
Dec 29, 1938 Yonkers, NY |
| Age | 87 |
| Total Facts | 30 |
A hawk on the war on terror, he voted for George W. Bush in the 2004 presidential election.
Actively supported Rudolph W. Giuliani's campaign to win the Republican nomination in 2008, but later endorsed the eventual nominee Senator John McCain.
Attended Archbishop Stepinac High School, and all-boy school in White Plains, New York.
Attended the Republican National Convention in 2008.
Father of actor James Haven (b. 1973) and actress Angelina Jolie (b. 1975) with Marcheline Bertrand.
Godfather of Skyler Shaye.
Godparents of his daughter Angelina are Maximilian Schell and Jacqueline Bisset.
Good friends with fellow actor Eric Martic.
Graduated from Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, in 1960. Changed his major after his Freshman year from Speech and Drama to Art. Fellow classmate was Henry Gibson.
Grandfather of Shiloh Jolie-Pitt.
Grandfather of Maddox Jolie-Pitt, Zahara Jolie-Pitt, Pax Thien Jolie-Pitt Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt, Vivienne Marcheline Jolie-Pitt and Knox Léon Jolie-Pitt .
Has been asked, in real life, for "Billy Flynn's" autograph...and given it (Flynn was his fictional boxer-character from The Champ (1979)).
Has played a boxer in two films: The All-American Boy (1973) and The Champ (1979). Was also in Ali (2001), but played the role of legendary sportscaster Howard Cosell.
Has played a coach in two films: Varsity Blues (1999) and Glory Road (2006).
His brother Barry Voight was a geology professor at Penn State.
His father Elmer Voytka, later Voight (born 29 Oct 1909 and died June 1973), was a professional golfer.
His paternal grandfather was a Slovak immigrant. His mother Barbara Kamp (Barbara Voight) (born in New York, 7 January 1910 and died Palm Beach Co., Florida, 3 December 1995) was the daughter of Joseph Kamp, a German immigrant, and wife Margaret Franz, also the daughter of German immigrants.
His younger brother is songwriter Wes Voight who, under the alias Chip Taylor, wrote The Troggs' 1966 smash hit "Wild Thing". His other songs include "Angel of the Morning" (Merrilee Rush), and "I Can't Let Go" (The Hollies).
Honored at fund-raiser for Joseph Papp Children's Humanitarian Fund in New York City, May 2002.
In 1970, he accepted the Oscar for "Best Director" on behalf of John Schlesinger, who wasn't present at the awards ceremony. Schlesinger directed Voight in Midnight Cowboy (1969).
In 1982, he (Presenter) accepted the Oscar for "Best Actress in a Leading Role" on behalf of Katharine Hepburn, who wasn't present at the awards ceremony
In 1993, he took over the role of "Woodrow F. Call" from Tommy Lee Jones in "Return to Lonesome Dove" (1993). Three years later, he was succeeded by Jonny Lee Miller, who played the younger version of Call in "Dead Man's Walk" (1996). That same year, Miller married Voight's daughter, Angelina Jolie, making Voight a short-term father-in-law to his own successor.
In 2000, Voight became involved with the Florida Holocaust Museum and worked very closely with then Exec Director Larry Wasser (deceased 2003) and President John Loftus, famous US Justice Department official, author & former prosecutor. Voight serves today as an advisory member of their Board. Jon Voights contributions in supporting the Florida Holocaust Museums programs have made a long lasting impact to helping the children in Florida become better citizens through character education.
In an episode of "Seinfeld" (1990), George (Jason Alexander) buys a Chrysler Lebaron convertible he believes once belonged to Jon Voight only to discover that the previous owner was actually "John" Voight, a periodontist.
On December 9, 2001, he appeared as a surprise guest on the "Muppets Tonight" (1996) show dressed as a giant chicken with Gonzo the Great. The event was part of the first annual MuppetFest fan convention and a fund-raiser for Save The Children.
Played father to Ricky Schroder twice: The first time in The Champ (1979) and the second time in "Return to Lonesome Dove" (1993).
Turned down the role of "Matt Hooper" in Jaws (1975). The role went to Richard Dreyfuss.
Turned down the role of Oliver (played by Ryan O'Neal) in Love Story (1970), despite being offered 10% of the gross.
Was cast as President Franklin D. Roosevelt in Pearl Harbor (2001) after Gene Hackman declined the role. Hackman's wife was of Japanese decent, and appearing in a film about the Japanese attack that precipitated the entry of the United States into World War Two would have been painful for her, so Hackman turned down the part.
Was considered for the role of Clark Kent/Superman in Superman (1978).