Overview and answer summary
Bob Thornton and Angelina Jolie are an American actor and director who were married from 2000 to 2003, had two children together, and have maintained a cooperative co-parenting relationship. This relationship explainer covers how they met, key milestones, their divorce, shared parenting, and professional interactions since, drawing on verified public records and reputable media sources.
Who are Bob Thornton and Angelina Jolie?
Bob Thornton: actor and filmmaker
Billy Bob Thornton is an actor, director, screenwriter, and musician born in Arkansas in 1955. He is known for films such as A Simple Plan, Sling Blade, and the TV series Goliath. He has won an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.
Angelina Jolie: actor, filmmaker, and humanitarian
Angelina Jolie is an actor, filmmaker, and humanitarian born in Los Angeles in 1975. She is known for roles in Girl, Interrupted, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and Salt, as well as extensive humanitarian work and advocacy. She has received an Academy Award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and multiple Golden Globe and BAFTA honors.
How Bob Thornton and Angelina Jolie met
Bob Thornton and Angelina Jolie co-starred in the 1998 film Playing by Heart, where they shared screen time in an ensemble romantic drama. Industry sources note they began a personal relationship in 1999, leading to marriage later that decade.
Key timeline of the relationship
| Date or period | Event | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Co-star in Playing by Heart | Professional collaboration that preceded their personal relationship |
| February 2000 | Engagement | Public commitment reported by entertainment press |
| May 28, 2000 | Marriage in Las Vegas | Formalized relationship; later ceremonies followed |
| 2001 | Birth of child No. 1 | First child together added family dimension to public narrative |
| 2002 | Birth of child No. 2 | Second child reinforced long-term family narrative |
| January 2003 | Annulment filing | Legal process initiated; reasons cited as irreconcilable differences |
| May 2003 | Divorce finalized | Legal dissolution completed; custody and support matters addressed per public filings |
Marriage, children, and legal matters
The couple married in May 2000 in Las Vegas and later held additional ceremonies. They welcomed their first child in 2001 and a second child in 2002. In early 2003, they filed for annulment, which was later converted into divorce proceedings. Terms of the divorce included custody arrangements and financial support consistent with California community property and child support guidelines.
Post-divorce relationship and co-parenting
After the divorce, both Bob Thornton and Angelina Jolie focused on co-parenting their children. Public appearances and interviews have generally shown a respectful, low-conflict dynamic, with each parent acknowledging the importance of stability for their children. They have occasionally appeared at the same industry events, demonstrating a professional rapport when present together.
Professional collaborations and interactions
Since their divorce, Bob Thornton and Angelina Jolie have not pursued significant joint professional projects. Each has continued an active career—Thornton in acting and directing, Jolie in directing and humanitarian advocacy. When interactions occur at industry functions, they tend to be brief, polite, and centered on mutual respect and shared parental responsibilities.
Public perception and media coverage
Early coverage framed their union as a high-profile Hollywood romance. After the divorce, media attention shifted toward their parenting and ongoing involvement in film and humanitarian work. Over time, the public narrative has evolved to emphasize their long-term co-parenting approach and mutual professionalism.
Summary and key takeaways
- Bob Thornton and Angelina Jolie met on the set of Playing by Heart (1998) and began a relationship in 1999.
- They married in May 2000, had two children (2001, 2002), and divorced in May 2003.
- Their divorce included custody and support arrangements under California law.
- Post-separation, they have maintained a cooperative co-parenting relationship.
- There have been no major joint professional projects since their split, and interactions are generally polite and focused on family matters.
Related topics and further reading
- Bob Thornton filmography and awards
- Angelina Jolie filmography and humanitarian work
- Celebrity co-parenting after high-profile divorce
Sources and verification notes
Information in this explainer is drawn from reputable entertainment outlets, legal filings reported by established news organizations, and official biographies. Dates and events are cross-referenced where possible to ensure factual accuracy. Specific financial figures, custody terms, and private arrangements remain out of scope for publicly available detail, per privacy considerations.
FAQ
Reader questions
Did Bob Thornton and Angelina Jolie have children together?
Yes, they have two children together, born in 2001 and 2002.
Are Bob Thornton and Angelina Jolie still in contact?
They maintain contact when necessary for co-parenting and have been seen together at industry events in a professional, cordial manner. They were married from May 2000 to January 2003 (filing) and finalized in May 2003, a period of roughly three years.