Some Candid Photographs of Angelina Jolie as a Teenager in the Late 1980s and Early 1990s

Before transforming into a global superstar, Oscar winner, and humanitarian, Angelina Jolie’s teenage years in the late 1980s and early 1990s were marked by an early entry into modeling, a rebellious streak, and a distinct, moody aesthetic that would later define her early career.

Growing up in Los Angeles as the daughter of actor Jon Voight and Marcheline Bertrand, Jolie began modeling at the age of 14. Her early portfolio, captured by professional photographers like Harry Langdon and Sean McCall, reveals the sharp, highly striking features that would soon make her a major screen icon. During this era, her look blended classic Hollywood genetic traits, such as her famously prominent lips and high cheekbones, with the prevailing aesthetics of the early 1990s.

Jolie attended Beverly Hills High School (and later Moreno High School), where she felt isolated among the wealthy, traditional student body. During her mid-teens, she fully embraced a punk and goth subculture. She frequently wore all-black clothing, experimented with purple and dark hair dyes, and collected knives. At one point during her youth, frustrated with casting rejections and feeling disconnected from traditional high school life, she dropped out of acting classes with the intent of becoming a funeral director.

Her striking look and alternative vibe made her a favorite for music videos in the early 1990s. As a teenager, she appeared in videos for major artists, including Meat Loaf's “Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through” (1993), Lenny Kravitz’s “Stand by My Woman” (1991), and The Lemonheads’ “It’s About Time” (1993).

By age 16, Jolie returned to the theater and committed fully to acting. Her first major breakout came shortly after her teen years ended, starring in the cult classic Hackers (1995) at age 20, where her short cropped hair and cyberpunk style echoed the edgy, rebellious identity she cultivated throughout her adolescence. Here are some candid photographs of teenage Angelina Jolie from between the late 1980s and early 1990s: