Angelina Jolie Watch

People magazine had uncovered never before seen photos of Angelina Jolie at 23 months old. The shots were taken at older brother James Haven’s 4th birthday in 1977. Family friend and photography Charles Eastman says the focus was on James but that Angelina was an “independent bundle of energy.” Angelina and James’ mom Marcheline Bertrand wrote the names of every guest on the cake and held the birthday boy up so he could blow out the candles.

“She was very demonstrative to him,” Eastman remembers. “Jamie was very happy. He’s says the photos are a testament to Marcheline’s love for her children.

These pictures are a tribute to Marcheline,” he said. “She was generous, kind and smart and devoted her life to her kids. She had great class.”

Just precious. Click below to enlarge the photos.  Enjoy

Last week the state of California filed a tax claim against Marcheline Bertrand’s estate. According to TMZ, the deficit ridden state claims Angelina’s mom owed “$43,699 in back taxes — add on $10,924.75 in penalties and $$8,304.95 in interest, for a grand total of $62,928.70.”

Marcheline Bertrand passed away in January 2007 after a long battle with ovarian cancer. Angelina and brother James Haven split their mother’s $1.2 million dollar estate between them. Marcheline also left Maddox, Zahara and Shiloh,her only grandchildren at the time of her death, $100,000 each. In a hand written attachment to her will, she claimed that ex-husband Jon Voight still owed her $180,000 in spousal support. (If Jon Voight does owe the money it would more than cover Marcheline’s back taxes.)

Considering California’s budget crisis, I’m sure lots of estates will receive back tax notices. I’m not saying that the claims aren’t legitimate but when you are in a money crunch you really look at your books to find any extra cash. I’m sure lots of speeders have been summoned to court as well. I wonder if Angelina and James will really look into the claim or just pay the money.

Angelina Jolie broke down at a Changeling press conference yesterday when she talked about how her mom inspired her portrayal of Christine Collins. So sad. It certainly explains her compelling performance in the film.

Angelina has a terrific new interview up at Backstage.com about the craft of acting. In this snippet she talks about her mom helping her prepare for roles. You’ll remember that Marcheline Bertrand studied with Lee Strasberg before she left the business to become a full-time mom.

Back Stage: Do you still study acting or work with coaches?

Jolie: I used to work with my mom. She was the most amazing support for an actor. She used to write letters to my characters. For Girl, Interrupted, she bought me the hand puppet that I ended up using. If I’d do a sexy role, she’d buy me perfume. She always read the script, made a bunch of notes, and wrote these letters. She was a great person to talk to about things, and she loved the process so much. So now I suppose I try to hear her voice in my head.

I always knew they had a great relationship but the more I learn about it, the more I’m impressed with their closeness.  Clearly she misses her a great deal but has never lost the connection.

I was pleased to see Angelina address the issue of not having a publicist and only one manager. She’s notorious for her very small staff even though she’s a an A-list star.

Back Stage: Is it true you don’t have a publicist?

Jolie: It is. I don’t have an agent either. I have one manager, and I’ve had him for 10 years. He started as an agent years ago, but he’s been a manager almost as long as I’ve been with him. I tried to have an agent for a few months. And I tried to have a publicist for two days. And neither worked out. I’m very specific about what I like to do, and I’ve been very fortunate that through working it out myself, I can somehow manage something. I’m sure that some people would disagree that I can’t handle publicity properly, but I tend to ignore it.

It’s nice to see this fresh interview with Angelina. She and Brad have done a good job of keeping a low profile while she works on The Changeling.

You can catch the rest of the interview HERE.

angelina jolie, backstage.com

Thanks to Carolina for pointing this one out to me or I would have missed it! Looks like AJ is sporting a new tattoo, it’s a small “M” on her right wrist. I would reckon a guess that it’s for her mother. Thanks Carolina!!!

Angelina Jolie and James Haven will split their mother’s $1.2 million dollar life insurance policy between them, per her will. In an attachment in her Marcheline’s pen, she claims she is still owed $180,000 in spousal support from her ex-husband Jon Voight. She has also left Jolie’s children: Maddox, Zahara, and Shiloh $100,000 each. You would think by now that Jon would pay up.

Reports are flying throughout the internet that Marcheline Bertrand’s dying wish was that Brad and Angelina marry, and Angelina vowed that she would fulfill her mothers wish.

A source close to the family had this to say, “”Marcheline held Angie’s hand and told her, ‘You marry that man. He’s an angel sent to look after you. Marcheline almost looked on him as a son. She thought the world of him and was constantly nagging Angie to ‘wed that man’. Brad has never stopped trying to push (Jolie) down the aisle but she’s always resisted, saying that it’s the children who legally bind them together. Now she’ll make good on her death-bed promise.”

Rumors are also abound that the couple had a very private ceremony on the beach, that was possibly not a legal wedding.

Only time will tell if any of these rumors are true, we can only hope that regardless of whether or not they get married, that they remain happy with one another.

The web is ringing with claims that Angelina, Brad Pitt and the children are making their way to the Bahamas, a favorite place of Angie’s mother, to scatter the ashes of Marcheline. Angie has been described as distraught and stressed recently, with good cause. Brad is reportedly smoking again, and who can blame him for picking up that nasty habit.

Hopefully escaping from the paparazzi’s flashing lights and rude (and stupid) questions, putting her mother to rest and sleeping will help Angelina.

Let’s just hope that the razzi leaves her the hell alone.

The mother of Angelina Jolie and James Haven, Marcheline Bertrand, succumbed to her battle with cancer Saturday afternoon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Angie, James and Brad were all at the hospital at the time of the Canadian-American’s death.

Marcheline, married Angie and Jame’s father, Jon Voight in 1975, the marriage only lasted 3 years. She had small roles in movies including 1983’s The Man Who Loved Women.

When granddaughter Shiloh was born in May, Bertrand told PEOPLE: “My heart is overflowing with joy with the new arrival of Brad and Angelina’s third child. Maddox, Zahara and Shiloh are deeply loved children. They have very kind and caring parents who love and support each other in every way.”

The family asks that donations be made to the Women’s Cancer Research Institute at Cedars. A small private service will be held.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the family in their time of sorrow.

If any other information is made available I will update this website.

While taping an upcoming show with Larry King Live, Anglina confirmed rumors that her mother, Marcheline Bertrand is indeed battling ovarian cancer.

Angelina states, “She has fought for six years and she’s a remarkable woman, she’s very, very strong and her spirit remains unbroken.”

Bertrand is 56.