Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt’s Son Maddox Files to Drop Pitt From Name

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Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s son Maddox is setting himself apart from his father.

According to court documents obtained by TopMob News on May 29th, Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt, the oldest child of the former couple, is legally seeking to remove “Pitt” from his last name and change it to simply Maddox Chivan Jolie.

TopMob News has contacted representatives for Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt for a statement regarding Maddox’s recent filing, but they haven’t responded publicly yet.

This isn’t the first time Maddox has legally changed his name, though it is a new step in that process.

The 24-year-old assistant director on Angelina’s film, Couture, chose to omit his father’s last name from the movie’s credits.

Maddox’s new name appeared in the production notes for Couture, which were distributed to the press at the film’s premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2025.

Oh my gosh, besides Maddox, Angelina and Brad – it still breaks my heart they split in 2016! – they also have Pax, who’s 22 now, and Zahara, 21. Then there’s Shiloh, who’s 20, and the twins, Knox and Vivienne, are already 17! Where does the time go? I’ve followed them all since they were little, and it’s amazing to see how grown up they’re getting!

Maddox is the sixth of his parents’ children to stop using their father’s last name, either legally or in how they present themselves publicly and professionally, following his parents’ split.

After joining the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority at Spelman University in 2023, Zahara began using the full name Zahara Marley Jolie when introducing herself. She was also referred to by this name when she received her diploma earlier this month upon graduating from college.

Following in her sister’s footsteps, Vivienne also began working in the entertainment industry. In 2024, she was credited as Vivienne Jolie in the Playbill for the musical The Outsiders, where she collaborated with her mother.

Shiloh, born Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt, legally changed her last name when she turned 18 in May 2024. She dropped ‘Pitt’ and officially became Shiloh Jolie, a change that was approved by the court in August.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve been following the Jolie-Pitt family for years, and honestly, this latest news about the kids wanting to change their names isn’t a surprise. It’s happening during their ongoing legal situation, but it’s actually something that’s been in the works for a while now within the family.

Angelina Jolie, originally named Angelina Jolie Voight, decided to stop using her father Jon Voight’s last name when she started her acting career. Similarly, Brad Pitt, whose full name is William Bradley Pitt, opted to go by just Brad Pitt, dropping his middle name for his professional life.

Even though Angelina Jolie’s children are growing up and finding their own paths – some are even pursuing careers in entertainment – she’s said they don’t have the same desire to be in the spotlight as she and Brad Pitt.

She explained at the 2025 Santa Barbara Film Festival that her children aren’t eager to be in the public eye, according to People. They have no interest in the celebrity lifestyle and actively dislike it.

To learn more about Angelina and Brad’s kids, read on.

Angelina Jolie first fell in love with Cambodia while filming the movie Tomb Raider in 2001. Later, she traveled to the town of Battambang, hoping to adopt a child from a local orphanage.

She later told Vanity Fair that she didn’t feel an immediate connection with her other children. However, when she saw Maddox—born on August 5, 2001—lying in a box hanging from the ceiling, she felt an instant bond. “I cried and cried,” she said.

She adopted her oldest son as a single parent, but when she started dating Brad Pitt, he began the process of adopting him too.

Maddox Jolie-Pitt became an executive producer on his mother Angelina Jolie’s 2017 film, First They Killed My Father, because of his interest in her work. The film is based on a book by Loung Ung, a friend of Jolie’s, detailing the Cambodian genocide under the Khmer Rouge. Maddox explained to People that he wanted to contribute in any way he could. He also described working with his mother as a positive experience, calling her “fun, funny, and easy to work with,” and adding, “She’s a wonder.”

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I always find it fascinating to learn about people leading interesting lives! Recently, I discovered that Maddox, after earning a biochemistry degree from Yonsei University in South Korea – his mother was thrilled, by the way! – was a guest at a White House state dinner. It was a special occasion hosted by President Biden and Dr. Jill Biden for the South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee. Quite a moment, don’t you think?

Angelina Jolie described Pax’s early childhood as difficult. Born on November 29, 2003, he spent the first three and a half years of his life in a Vietnamese orphanage near Ho Chi Minh City, sharing a small iron bed with around 20 other children and lacking any personal freedom or choices, she told MSN in 2007.

After joining Angelina Jolie’s family with Maddox, Zahara, and Shiloh, her son quickly adapted to a more open and loving environment. She described him as learning English and blossoming into a playful, energetic child, enjoying his newfound freedom. Despite the big changes, she noted he’s a remarkably resilient and strong little boy.

Pax was involved in both sides of the camera during his early career. He voiced the character Yoo in Angelina Jolie’s 2016 animated film Kung Fu Panda 3, worked as a set photographer on First They Killed My Father, and even accompanied his mother to the 2018 Golden Globes.

He also assisted with the design of Atelier Jolie, a fashion and tailoring studio Angelina Jolie launched in New York City, and contributed to the assistant director team on the Italian set of her movie, Without Blood.

Angelina explained to People that working with her sons Pax and Maddox felt natural because a good film set often feels like a family.

When Angelina visited an orphanage in Hawassa, Ethiopia, she brought her then-3-year-old son, Maddox, and introduced him to her older daughter, Zahara, who was born on January 8, 2005. Angelina later told Anderson Cooper that Maddox quickly bonded with Zahara. Because Zahara was already seven months old when she came home, Maddox treated her like a little sibling he could cuddle and care for.

Zahara, like her brothers and sisters, is fascinated by her mother’s work. She’s been involved in many aspects of it, from attending glamorous red carpet events to launching her own jewelry line, the Zahara Collection, with jeweler Robert Procop in 2019. She also participates in her mother’s humanitarian work, including visiting refugee camps in Syria with the UNHCR.

In August 2022, Angelina Jolie became emotional as she dropped her daughter Zahara off at Spelman College in Atlanta, jokingly hoping to avoid tears in a video she shared on Instagram. She later returned to campus to participate in the historically Black college’s homecoming celebration.

Zahara became a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority at her school in 2023. She’s also traveled with the actress to Washington, D.C. several times, including when the actress gave an emotional speech in February 2022 urging the renewal of the Violence Against Women Act, and again a year later when they lobbied lawmakers to support the Justice for All Reauthorization Act of 2022.

Angelina and Brad welcomed their daughter, Shiloh, into the world on May 27, 2006, at a hospital in Swakopmund, Namibia. In an interview with MSN, Angelina described Shiloh as a sweet, loving, and funny baby, and playfully predicted that she would be a bit mischievous, seeing a lot of her own personality in her daughter.

Shiloh first stepped onto the red carpet at the premiere of Unbroken in 2014. Since then, she’s attended events for films like Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, The Breadwinner, and Dumbo, as well as the 2018 National Board of Review Awards Gala and the 2021 premiere of Eternals, where she famously wore a gown previously worn by her mother.

Angelina Jolie loves seeing her kids borrow clothes from her closet. She told TopMob’s Daily Pop that she encourages them to wear her things, even telling them to ‘wear it better than me!’ She embraces letting them have fun with her wardrobe and says, ‘It’s your turn, anything,’ – she’s definitely that kind of mom.

Okay, so not only is Shiloh just like her mom, Angelina, with all that amazing work helping people, but she’s also clearly got the performing bug! I’ve been following everything, and it turns out she’s been spending time at the Millennium Dance Complex in L.A.! It’s so exciting to see her explore that side of things – she’s a natural, I just know it!

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve followed Shiloh Jolie’s journey with great interest, and it was fascinating to see her take control of her identity. Back in 2024, on her 18th birthday, she officially filed paperwork at a Los Angeles court to legally drop the ‘Pitt’ from her name, choosing to be known simply as Shiloh Nouvel Jolie. It was a really personal decision, and the change became official a few months later. It’s inspiring to see young people confidently defining who they are!

Angelina first showed off her baby bump at the 2008 Independent Spirit Awards. She then welcomed twins, Knox and Vivienne, in Nice, France, on July 12, 2008. After settling into their home, Château Miraval, she told People magazine that life was chaotic but wonderful. Shiloh and Zahara enjoyed helping with the twins, picking out their clothes and assisting with care.

Angelina explained that her son, Brad, was named after his grandfather, Hal Knox Hillhouse, because they shared similar emotional and physical traits. Photos from the 2015 British motorcycle Grand Prix clearly showed how much the two resembled each other.

Following in the footsteps of her older children, Pax, Zahara, and Shiloh, Knox had a small voice acting role in the 2016 film Kung Fu Panda 3, playing the character Ku Ku. Angelina Jolie shared with ET that her kids were initially hesitant. “They don’t necessarily want to be actors,” she explained, “but I didn’t want them to miss out on the experience, and they ended up really enjoying it.”

Angelina described her twin brother, Knox, as being similar to their late mother, Marcheline Bertrand, because he prefers to support others rather than seek the spotlight. She told TopMob News that he’s a considerate and dedicated person who takes theatre and his work very seriously, always striving to contribute in the best way he can.

Despite a strong performance as a young Elle Fanning’s Aurora in the 2014 film Maleficent – Angelina Jolie was impressed with her ability to stay on cue – the actress has since focused on work behind the camera.

You know, it was actually my daughter, Vivienne, who really sparked my involvement with bringing The Outsiders to Broadway. She was so enthusiastic about the idea, I just had to explore it! She ended up being an amazing volunteer assistant to me during the production – a real help on the show that thankfully went on to win a Tony!

Angelina shared with People that her daughter, Vivienne – listed in the playbill as Vivienne Jolie – often keeps her on track. “She’ll tell me, ‘Didn’t you read the memo? We need to do this and follow the plan!'” Jolie explained. “She’s a surprisingly strict assistant and takes her responsibilities very seriously.”

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2026-05-29 22:18