James Haven
James Haven – Life, Career & Reflections
Full Name: James Haven Voight
Born: May 11, 1973, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation: Actor (formerly), producer, director
Years Active (in acting): 1998 – 2013
Parents: Jon Voight (father), Marcheline Bertrand (mother)
Sibling: Younger sister – Angelina Jolie
Early Life & Background
James Haven was born into a family deeply involved in acting and the arts.
He attended Beverly Hills High School. USC School of Cinema-Television (at the University of Southern California). George Lucas Award for a student film he directed (which starred his sister).
Acting & Producing Career
Acting Roles
James Haven’s acting career was modest but included supporting and bit parts in films and TV series, often intersecting with his sister’s projects:
-
Gia (1998) – a TV film in which he had a small role.
-
Hell’s Kitchen (1998) – appeared as a bartender.
-
Original Sin (2001) – played “Faust.”
-
Monster’s Ball (2001) – had a small part as a hospital guard.
-
He also guest-starred in TV shows like CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2004) and The Game (2007).
-
His last listed acting role is in the short film Easy Silence (2013).
Behind the Camera & Producing
Beyond acting, Haven has had roles as a producer, director, and executive board member for projects and festivals:
-
He was executive producer for Trudell (2005), a documentary about activist and musician John Trudell.
-
He produced the short comedy That’s Our Mary (2011).
-
Since 2006, he’s been on the executive board of Artivist, a festival focusing on human rights, environmental, and animal rights issues.
-
He directed a short film, Court of Conscience, featuring his father Jon Voight and actor Anton Yelchin.
He formally stepped away from acting around 2013.
Personal Life & Beliefs
-
During a period of estrangement from his father, James legally dropped the surname “Voight.”
-
His mother died of ovarian cancer on January 27, 2007.
-
After his mother’s death, he reconciled with his father following a six-year estrangement.
-
James grew up Catholic.
Style & Public Persona
James Haven never sought the high visibility of his sister or father; much of his life in the public eye has been quiet and selective. His career choices suggest a preference for smaller, meaningful projects rather than mainstream stardom. His involvement with Artivist signals a commitment to causes beyond entertainment.