Angelina Jolie Praises Ex for Supporting Her in Parenting After Brad Pitt Split

Angelina Jolie may have moved on from her relationship with third husband Brad Pitt, but she still maintains a strong bond with her first husband, Jonny Lee Miller.

The 49-year-old actress recently received the Maltin Modern Master Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on Wednesday, where she reflected on her career and personal life during a conversation with film critic Leonard Maltin.

A Nostalgic Reflection on Hackers and Jonny Lee Miller

During the discussion, Jolie revisited one of her earliest films, Hackers (1995), where she first met Miller.

“I just wanted to say something funny,” Jolie remarked. “I figured you’d start with Hackers, right?” she quipped before adding, “Yeah, that’s Jonny. I just spoke to him. I love that—I get to see my ex-husband with 2,000 people watching.”

As a clip from Hackers played, she further commented, “It’s great. It’s wonderful to see it. Funny enough, I don’t really watch my own films, so I don’t think I’ve seen it since the premiere. But I have a great relationship with Jonny, and he and I have sons around the same age, and that makes me happy.”

Jolie and Miller tied the knot in March 1996, but their marriage ended in February 1999, with their divorce finalized in early 2000—just before Jolie embarked on a three-year marriage to Billy Bob Thornton (2000-2003).

Jonny Lee Miller’s Life After Divorce

Miller’s career continued to thrive after Hackers, notably starring in Trainspotting (1996). He later settled down with actress and model Michele Hicks, marrying in July 2008 in Malibu. The couple welcomed their son, Buster, now 16 years old, who is close in age to Knox Leon, Jolie’s son.

However, Miller and Hicks split in 2016, with their divorce finalized in 2018. Jolie sparked headlines in 2021 when she was spotted visiting Miller’s New York City apartment. Reports suggested that their sons, Buster and Knox, had developed a close friendship.

Angelina Jolie on Jonny Lee Miller’s Support Against Weinstein

In a 2021 interview with The Guardian, Jolie praised Miller for supporting her during a difficult time. She revealed that Miller had helped her escape the predatory behavior of disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein.

“I had to escape [Weinstein]. I stayed away and warned others about him. I remember telling Jonny, my first husband, who was wonderful about it, to spread the word among other men—don’t let girls go alone with him.”

In January 2024, Miller reflected on this moment in an interview with The Independent, stating that he remembered feeling “angry” upon learning about Weinstein’s misconduct.

“I really wanted to be more proactive about it, but ultimately, it was her decision, and you have to respect that.”

Miller recently starred in the London stage production of A Mirror at the Trafalgar Theatre in 2024.

Meanwhile, Jolie just completed filming Maria, in which she portrays opera singer Maria Callas, and is set to star in an upcoming project titled Stitches.

Despite moving on from her past relationships, it’s clear that Jolie and Miller share a deep respect for one another—a bond that has stood the test of time, even as both navigate new chapters in their personal and professional lives.