His 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), "I Can't Let Go" (The Hollies), etc. Father of actor James Haven (b. 1973) and actress Angelina Jolie (b. 1975) with Marcheline Bertrand. Godfather of Skyler Shaye. Attended Archbishop Stepinac High School, and all-boy school in White Plains, New York. Beat out Gene Hackman for the role of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in Pearl Harbor (2001). His father Elmer Voight was a professional golfer. Honored at fund-raiser for Joseph Papp Children's Humanitarian Fund in New York City, May 2002. Graduated from Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, in 1960. Changed his major after his Freshman year from Speech and Drama to Art. His grandfather was a Czech immigrant. His mother Barbara Kamp was the daughter of Joseph Kamp, a German immigrant, and his wife Margaret Franz, also the daughter of German immigrants. Played father to Rick Schroder twice: The first time in The Champ (1979) and the second time in "Return to Lonesome Dove" (1993) (mini). 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 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). Turned down the role of "Matt Hooper" in Jaws (1975). The role went to Richard Dreyfuss. In 1993, he took over the role of "Woodrow F. Call" from Tommy Lee Jones in "Return to Lonesome Dove" (1993) (mini). Three years later, he was succeeded by Jonny Lee Miller, who played the younger version of Call in "Dead Man's Walk" (1996) (mini). That same year, Miller married Voight's daughter, Angelina Jolie, making Voight a short-term father-in-law to his own successor. 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). Turned down the role of Oliver (played by 'Ryan O'Neal (I)') in Love Story (1970), despite being offered 10% of the gross. His brother Barry Voight was a geology professor at Penn State. 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. Was considered for the role of Clark Kent/Superman in Superman (1978). Godparents of his daughter Angelina are Maximilian Schell and Jacqueline Bisset. Grandfather of Maddox Jolie Pitt, Zahara Jolie Pitt, Shiloh Nouvel Jolie Pitt, and Pax Thien Jolie Pitt.
