Happy Birthday, Angelina Jolie!

Today, we're celebrating the 37th birthday of actress Angelina Jolie. The daughter of Academy Award-winning actor Jon Voight, Angelina was raised around the motion picture industry, so it came as no surprise that she made her way into the business. When she first hit it big, she garnered a lot of publicity for her sex appeal as well as her acting credentials. Married twice before to actors Billy Bob Thornton and Jonny Lee Miller, it has only been recently that she has become the fodder of many a paparazzo after starting a relationship with actor Brad Pitt. The highly-publicized couple - nicknamed "Brangelina" - has been the centerpiece of many a news story, and the family the two have created together has kept Angie in the spotlight even as takes the occasional break from the acting scene. Her consistent humanitarian efforts have also been a cause of good-natured publicity. A few years ago, the actress started to delve into the directing field, and her work has been generally well-received thus far. Here's a look at some fun facts and accolades that Miss Jolie has earned throughout her career:

Acting

First Film: Lookin' to Get Out (1982)

Last Film: Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)

Next Film: Maleficent (2014)

Directing

First Film: A Place in Time (2007)

Last Film: In the Land of Blood and Honey (2011)

Academy Awards

Won: Best Supporting Actress: Girl, Interrupted (1999)

Nominated: Best Actress: Changeling (2008)

Over the years, I've managed to see fifteen of Jolie's films, and on average, her films have received a 'C+' grade. From these fifteen, I have created the following list of my five favorite of her performances:

5. Fox

Wanted (2008)

*****

4. Jane Smith

Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005)

*****

3. Lara Croft

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)

*****

2. Christine Collins

Changeling (2008)

*****

1. Lisa Rowe

Girl, Interrupted (1999)

Once again, I would like to wish Angelina Jolie a happy 37th birthday!