Angelina Jolie’s Shocking Battle With Nicotine—And How She Broke Free
Angelina Jolie is finally opening up about a long-forgotten bad habit that once dominated her life. The 49-year-old actress recently revealed that, before landing her iconic role as Lara Croft in Tomb Raider nearly 25 years ago, she was smoking two packs of cigarettes a day.
Speaking at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival this week, Jolie sat down for a Q&A with renowned film critic Leonard Maltin. During their conversation, she reflected on how preparing for Tomb Raider forced her to overhaul her lifestyle completely.
From Heavy Smoker to Action Hero
“I admittedly came [in] smoking two packs a day and completely had to change my health and my life,” Jolie confessed. “I discovered that I could do things I didn’t know I could do.”
The Oscar-winning actress explained that the 2001 action-adventure film marked a turning point for her, pushing her to abandon unhealthy habits in favor of a rigorous training regimen. According to Jolie, this transformation “changed everything” for her.
Intense Training That Changed Her Life
Jolie went through months of intense physical training to embody the fearless video game heroine. She dedicated herself to multiple daily workout sessions—morning, noon, and night—until her body naturally craved a healthier routine.
“For Tomb Raider, there were a few months of just nothing but multiple training sessions a day,” she recalled. “At a certain point, I didn’t want anything but good food, water, and sleep.”
This demanding regimen left no room for cigarettes, and eventually, smoking became a thing of the past.
Quitting for Good—Almost
By the time filming wrapped, Jolie had completely abandoned her smoking habit. “I never did it again… Well, I think I did once or twice,” she admitted with a smile.
The shift wasn’t just about quitting nicotine—it was about discovering a new version of herself. Jolie’s transformation proved that, with the right motivation, anyone can break free from bad habits and embrace a healthier lifestyle.
An Emotional Tribute to Her Late Mother
Jolie was honored with the Maltin Modern Master Award during the festival, a prestigious recognition of her contributions to cinema. During her acceptance speech, she became visibly emotional as she reflected on her late mother, Marcheline Bertrand, who passed away in 2007.
She shared that her mother, who had once pursued creative dreams of her own, had always been her biggest supporter. In a touching revelation, Jolie disclosed that Marcheline used to write letters addressed to each of her movie characters.
“My mother would write letters to my characters—Dear Gia, Dear Lisa Rowe, Dear Lara Croft,” she shared. “For the last 16 years, I haven’t had those letters.”
Now a mother of six, Jolie often wonders what her mother would have written to her latest character, opera singer Maria Callas, whom she portrays in the 2024 biopic Maria.
“I try to imagine sometimes what she would write, and she would probably have told Maria that she loved her because Maria had many things, but she never had a mother’s love,” she said, holding back tears. “I would be absolutely nothing without mine.”
Jolie’s heartfelt words resonated deeply with the audience, reminding everyone of the powerful influence a parent’s love and support can have on shaping one’s life and career.
A Journey of Transformation
From battling nicotine addiction to stepping into one of the most physically demanding roles of her career, Angelina Jolie’s transformation is nothing short of inspiring. Her journey serves as a testament to the power of discipline, self-discovery, and perseverance.
Now, as she continues to captivate audiences with her performances and personal revelations, one thing is clear—Angelina Jolie is not just a Hollywood icon but a symbol of resilience and reinvention.
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