James Haven (Angelina Jolie Brother) – Bio, Age, Height, Gay, Annulment, Movies & Facts
James Haven Voight is an American former actor, director, and producer whose life has intersected with some of Hollywood’s most famous names—yet his own story has often unfolded in the shadows of his legendary family. The son of Oscar winner Jon Voight and the late actress Marcheline Bertrand, and the older brother of global superstar Angelina Jolie, Haven spent years as a devoted sibling, uncle, and behind-the-camera filmmaker before a secret marriage, a shocking annulment, and a very public coming-out in August 2026 thrust him back into the headlines.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | James Haven Voight |
| Nick Name | James |
| Profession | Former Actor, Director, Producer |
| Birth Date | May 11, 1973 |
| Age | 53 years 2 months old |
| Birth Place | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Known For | Brother of Angelina Jolie; son of Jon Voight; 2000 Oscars kiss controversy; documentary Trudell; annulment from Romi Imbelli; came out as gay in 2026 |
| Ethnicity | Mixed (German, Slovak, French-Canadian, Dutch, Polish, English, Irish, Huron Native American) |
| Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
| Height | 6′ 1″ (185 cm) |
| Weight | ~163 lbs (74 kg) |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Eye Color | Grey |
| Qualification | USC School of Cinema-Television (George Lucas Award winner) |
| Religion | Born-again Christian (since 2009); raised Catholic |
| Marital Status | Annulled |
| Spouse | Romi Imbelli (m. August 12, 2024; annulled June 2025) |
| Children | None |
| Parents | Father: Jon Voight (actor); Mother: Marcheline Bertrand (actress, deceased 2007) |
| Siblings | Angelina Jolie (younger sister, actress) |
| Hobbies | Filmmaking, humanitarian work, faith-based activities, spending time with nieces and nephews |
| Current Work | Director, producer, former Artivist board director |
| Years Active | 1998–2013 (acting); 2005–present (producing/directing) |
Early Life & Education
James Haven Voight was born on May 11, 1973, in Los Angeles, California, into Hollywood royalty. His father, Jon Voight, was already an established Oscar-winning actor, and his mother, Marcheline Bertrand, was an actress and producer. His younger sister, Angelina Jolie, arrived two years later in 1975.
After his parents separated in 1976, Haven and Jolie were raised primarily by their mother. Bertrand gave up her acting career and moved the children to Palisades, New York, seeking a quieter life away from the Hollywood spotlight. When Haven was 13, the family returned to Los Angeles, where he attended Beverly Hills High School.
He then enrolled at the USC School of Cinema-Television, where he studied directing and earned the prestigious George Lucas Award for a student film he directed starring his sister, Angelina.
Career Journey
Acting Career (1998–2013)
Haven began his professional acting career in 1998, often appearing in small roles in projects connected to his famous family. His early credits include:
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Gia | Young man on Sansom Street | TV film starring Angelina Jolie |
| 1998 | Hell’s Kitchen | Boyle’s bartender | Feature film |
| 1999 | Scrapbook | Jamie Park | Feature film |
| 2001 | Original Sin | Faust | Feature film starring Angelina Jolie |
| 2001 | Monster’s Ball | Hospital guard | Feature film starring Billy Bob Thornton |
| 2002 | Ocean Park | Youngblood | Feature film |
| 2004 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Lazarus Kane | Episode: “Suckers” |
| 2004 | Breaking Dawn | Don Wake | Feature film |
| 2006 | Stay Alive | Jonathan Malkus | Feature film |
| 2007 | The Game | Director | Episode: “The Ghost of Derwin Past” |
| 2012 | Deep in the Heart | Gary | Feature film |
| 2013 | Easy Silence | Trent | Short film |
He retired from acting in 2013, choosing to focus on work behind the camera.
Producing and Directing
Haven found his true calling as a filmmaker and advocate. In 2005, he served as executive producer of the documentary Trudell, chronicling the life of Santee Sioux musician and activist John Trudell. The film was an official selection at the Sundance Film Festival and Tribeca Film Festival, and won the Special Jury Prize for Best Documentary at the Seattle International Film Festival.
In 2011, he executive produced the short comedy That’s Our Mary, about two actresses competing to play the Virgin Mary. Since 2006, he has served as executive board director of Artivist, a Los Angeles film festival highlighting movies about human rights, animal rights, and environmental issues.
In 2015, he directed the short film Court of Conscience, starring his father Jon Voight and the late Anton Yelchin. He was also attached to direct a sci-fi/fantasy feature called The Last Boy.
Personal Life
Relationship with Angelina Jolie
Haven and Jolie have shared one of Hollywood’s most famously close sibling bonds. They were each other’s constants through their parents’ divorce, their mother’s illness, and the pressures of growing up in a famous family.
At the 2000 Academy Awards, where Jolie won Best Supporting Actress for Girl, Interrupted, she brought Haven as her date. The siblings shared a kiss on the lips on the red carpet, and in her acceptance speech, Jolie declared, “I’m so in love with my brother right now.” The moment sparked years of bizarre tabloid rumors about incest, which both siblings have consistently dismissed as a misinterpretation of their devoted brotherly love.
Haven revealed that his niece Shiloh Jolie-Pitt was named after him. “Before I was born I was going to be Shiloh, and at the last second my parents gave me Haven instead,” he told Express. “So it was great when Brad and Angie came to me and said, ‘We’re thinking of names and our favorite is Shiloh. Would it be okay?’ I was almost in tears.”
Following Jolie’s split from Brad Pitt in 2016, Haven reportedly moved in to help care for his six nieces and nephews, effectively serving as a head nanny. However, reports suggested Jolie fired him in 2017, and their relationship reportedly became more distant, though Haven has consistently expressed his protective instincts toward her children.
In a December 2023 podcast appearance, Haven said, “That’s where it all started—it started with the protection of her and her children, my nieces and nephews… I set my life up so I can be present for whatever the situation is.”
Estrangement and Reconciliation with Jon Voight
Like his sister, Haven was estranged from his father, Jon Voight, for several years. During that period, he legally dropped “Voight” from his surname, going simply by James Haven.
The death of their mother from ovarian cancer on January 27, 2007, became a turning point. Haven reconciled with Voight after a six-year estrangement, and Jolie eventually followed suit. Haven, who was raised Catholic, became a born-again Christian in 2009.
Marriage to Romi Imbelli and Annulment
In August 2024, Haven secretly married Romi Imbelli (née Klinger), a reality TV star known from The Real L Word. The intimate ceremony took place on August 12, 2024, in Laguna Beach, California, attended only by the couple and their parents. Notably, Angelina Jolie did not attend, though Jon Voight was present.
The marriage collapsed almost immediately. Imbelli revealed they had a “big fight the next day,” and on August 27, 2024—just 15 days after the wedding—she filed for an annulment, citing “fraud.”
The annulment was settled in June 2025. Court documents stated the couple “agree on an annulment based on fraud carried out by [Haven] with none of the wife’s knowledge at the time of marriage.” Neither party received spousal support, and they had no shared property or children.
Imbelli told Us Weekly, “He vanished, and we were never truly married. I’ve moved on, seeking only my peace of mind and wanting to close that chapter of my life.”
Coming Out as Gay (August 2026)
In a stunning turn of events, on August 6, 2026, James Haven came out as gay in a post on his ex-wife Romi Imbelli’s Substack. At 53 years old, Haven wrote, “I am now free to live the life I was always meant to live.”
The revelation shed new light on the annulment and the “fraud” allegations, suggesting that Haven’s undisclosed sexuality may have been central to the dissolution of the marriage. The announcement made headlines worldwide, adding a complex new chapter to the life of a man who had spent decades guarding his privacy.
Controversies
The 2000 Oscars Kiss
The most enduring controversy of Haven’s life remains the 2000 Academy Awards, where he and Jolie kissed on the lips and she declared her love for him during her Oscar speech. Tabloids ran wild with incest rumors for years. Both siblings have repeatedly clarified that it was purely familial affection, with Haven attributing the intensity of the moment to the stress of their mother’s cancer battle.
The “Fraud” Annulment
The 2024–2025 annulment from Romi Imbelli was highly unusual. The use of the word “fraud” in legal documents, combined with the 14-day marriage, fueled intense media speculation. Haven did not publicly dispute the fraud claim, and his August 2026 coming-out appeared to confirm that the marriage had been built on a fundamental concealment of his true identity.
Awards & Achievements
- George Lucas Award — USC School of Cinema-Television (student film)
- Sundance Film Festival Official Selection — Trudell (2005)
- Tribeca Film Festival Official Selection — Trudell (2005)
- Special Jury Prize for Best Documentary — Seattle International Film Festival, Trudell (2005)
- Artivist Film Festival — Executive Board Director since 2006
Physical Statistics
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 6′ 1″ (185 cm) |
| Weight | ~163 lbs (74 kg) |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Eye Color | Grey |
| Build | Slim / Average |
| Distinguishing Features | Resemblance to father Jon Voight and sister Angelina Jolie |
Quotes
“Before I was born I was going to be Shiloh, and at the last second my parents gave me Haven instead… I was almost in tears.”
— On niece Shiloh Jolie-Pitt being named after him, Express (2007)“That’s where it all started—it started with the protection of her and her children, my nieces and nephews… I set my life up so I can be present for whatever the situation is.”
— On his role in Angelina Jolie’s life, 90who10 podcast (2023)“I am now free to live the life I was always meant to live.”
— Coming out as gay, Romi Imbelli’s Substack (August 6, 2026)
Favorites
| Category | Favorites |
|---|---|
| Family Member | Angelina Jolie (described as his “everything”) |
| Niece/Nephew Connection | Shiloh Jolie-Pitt (named after his intended birth name) |
| Film Festival | Artivist (human rights/environmental/animal rights focus) |
| Collaborators | Jon Voight, Anton Yelchin |
| Documentary Subject | John Trudell (Santee Sioux activist) |
| Faith | Born-again Christianity (since 2009) |
Earnings
| Source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Estimated Net Worth (2026) | $500,000 – $2 million (varies by source) |
| Other Estimates | $5 million (TheRichest); $10 million (some 2026 reports) |
| Primary Income Sources | Acting (retired), film directing, producing, documentary work |
Net worth estimates vary widely, reflecting Haven’s low-profile lifestyle and intermittent work in independent film.
Interesting Facts
- Haven legally dropped “Voight” from his name during his estrangement from his father, though he is still widely known as James Haven Voight.
- His uncle is Chip Taylor, the singer-songwriter who wrote “Wild Thing” and “Angel of the Morning.”
- He was the executive producer of a documentary about Native American activist John Trudell that won at Sundance and Seattle.
- He reportedly served as a full-time nanny to Angelina Jolie’s six children after her 2016 split from Brad Pitt before allegedly being dismissed in 2017.
- His marriage to Romi Imbelli lasted 14 days before she filed for annulment.
- He came out as gay at age 53 in August 2026 on his ex-wife’s Substack.
Did You Know?
- James Haven’s mother, Marcheline Bertrand, gave up her acting career to raise him and Angelina in New York after divorcing Jon Voight.
- The infamous 2000 Oscars kiss happened while their mother was battling ovarian cancer; both siblings later said the emotional intensity of the night was heightened by their mother’s illness.
- Haven’s Court of Conscience (2015) was one of the final projects starring Anton Yelchin before the actor’s tragic death in 2016.
- He and Jolie were so close growing up that they were “each other’s everything.”
Social Media Links
James Haven maintains a very private profile and does not have widely known public social media accounts. He has historically avoided the celebrity spotlight.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is James Haven?
James Haven was born on May 11, 1973, making him 53 years old as of 2026.
Is James Haven Angelina Jolie’s brother?
Yes. James Haven is Angelina Jolie’s older brother. They share parents Jon Voight and Marcheline Bertrand.
Is James Haven gay?
Yes. On August 6, 2026, James Haven came out as gay in a post on his ex-wife Romi Imbelli’s Substack.
Who was James Haven married to?
He was briefly married to Romi Imbelli, a reality TV star from The Real L Word. They wed on August 12, 2024, and she filed for annulment on August 27, 2024, citing fraud. The annulment was finalized in June 2025.
Why did Romi Imbelli file for annulment?
Imbelli cited “fraud” as the reason for the annulment. Court documents stated the fraud was “carried out by [Haven] with none of the wife’s knowledge at the time of marriage.” Haven’s August 2026 coming out suggested his undisclosed sexuality was a factor.
What is James Haven’s net worth?
Estimates range from $500,000 to $10 million, depending on the source. Most credible estimates place him between $500,000 and $2 million.
What movies was James Haven in?
Notable credits include Gia (1998), Hell’s Kitchen (1998), Original Sin (2001), Monster’s Ball (2001), Stay Alive (2006), and Breaking Dawn (2004). He retired from acting in 2013.
Why did James Haven and Angelina Jolie kiss at the Oscars?
The siblings shared a kiss on the lips at the 2000 Academy Awards during an emotionally charged night. Both have dismissed subsequent incest rumors, explaining it was an expression of deep familial love during a stressful time while their mother was battling cancer.
Conclusion
James Haven’s life has been defined by proximity to fame, fierce familial loyalty, and a determined retreat from the Hollywood spotlight. For decades, he was known primarily as Angelina Jolie’s devoted brother, the man who stood by her side at the Oscars, helped name her daughter, and reportedly helped raise her children. Yet his own story—marked by a crisis of identity, a secret marriage that imploded in 14 days, and a late-in-life coming out—proves far more complex than any tabloid headline could capture.
As he steps into his truth at 53, Haven’s journey serves as a reminder that even those born into Hollywood’s brightest lights can spend decades searching for their own. Whether he returns to directing, continues his faith-based and humanitarian work, or simply lives quietly on his own terms, one thing is certain: the world will be watching with far more understanding than it once did.
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