While Angelina Jolie made headlines last week when she was photographed onstage in the Big Apple with former President Bill Clinton at his Clinton Global Initiative event, the man behind the Oscar-winning actress’ charitable efforts — older brother James Haven — was there, behind the scenes and working just as hard.
“James is very inspirational,” a friend confides to OK!. “You can see where his sister gets her passion for helping others."
But James, who, like Angelina, is the son of actor Jon Voight and the late Marcheline Bertrand, doesn’t see himself as any sort of hero. "What I’m doing shouldn’t be regarded as extraordinary,” he explains to OK!. “My wish is that one day everyone strives to take a part in helping each other and the world, so it becomes an ordinary thing."
Also an actor, with appearances in Monster’s Ball and CSI among his credits, James sits on the board of the Artivist Film Festival, which is dedicated to addressing human rights, children’s advocacy, environmental preservation and animal rights. Its stated mission is to “strengthen the voice of activist artists while raising public awareness for social global causes." The non-profit is staging it’s third film festival in Hollywood from Nov. 8 - 11 at Hollywood’s historic Egyptian Theatre.
In addition to his work alongside his A-list sister, the 34-year-old is also working closely with another charity-minded superstar, U2’s Bono, to help combat the spread of pediatric AIDS.
Already the closest of friends, the familial bond between James and his 32-year-old kid sister has continued to strengthen, even following the heartbreaking death of their mother, who succumbed to her battle with cancer in January. And friends reveal to OK!, James is very much a doting uncle to the four children Angelina shares with partner Brad Pitt.
“James adores those kids,” says the friend about Maddox, Pax, Zahara and Shiloh Jolie-Pitt. “He spends as much time with them as he possibly can."
Click HERE for more pics of Angelina with her family.
