Maddox Jolie Officially Drops Pitt Surname in Mother's Film Credits
In a significant personal development, Maddox Jolie, the eldest son of Hollywood superstars Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, has formally removed his father's surname from his professional credits. The 24-year-old has been listed simply as Maddox Jolie in the end credits of his mother's latest directorial project, the film 'Couture,' which premiered in French theaters on February 18.
Film Credits Reveal the Name Change
According to detailed reports from entertainment industry sources, the production notes distributed to media during the Toronto International Film Festival in 2025 already indicated this change, crediting him as Maddox Jolie rather than Maddox Jolie-Pitt. This marks a clear departure from previous professional acknowledgments. For instance, in 2024, when Maddox worked as a production assistant on the Netflix drama 'Maria,' starring Angelina Jolie as opera legend Maria Callas, he was credited with the full hyphenated surname.
The film 'Couture' itself features Angelina Jolie portraying an American filmmaker grappling with a breast cancer diagnosis. Maddox contributed to the project as an assistant director, demonstrating his growing involvement and serious commitment to the filmmaking industry, following in his mother's creative footsteps.
A Family Trend: Siblings Also Distance Themselves from Pitt Surname
This move by Maddox is not an isolated incident within the Jolie-Pitt family. Several of his siblings have similarly chosen to omit or alter their surnames in recent years, signaling a collective shift away from the Pitt family name.
- Vivienne Jolie: In 2024, the youngest daughter was credited as Vivienne Jolie in the Broadway musical 'Playbill for the Outsiders,' a production supported by her mother.
- Zahara Marley Jolie: During a college event in 2025, Zahara introduced herself using this name, explicitly dropping the Pitt surname and incorporating Marley as a middle name.
- Shiloh Jolie: Upon turning 18 last year, Shiloh made the decision to legally change her surname to Jolie, officially removing Pitt from her name.
The family includes six children: Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and twins Knox and Vivienne. While reports confirm these changes for Maddox, Zahara, Shiloh, and Vivienne, it remains unclear whether Pax and Knox have undertaken similar legal or professional name adjustments. The motivations appear to be both personal and professional, reflecting the children's individual identities and careers.
Background: The Ongoing Aftermath of a High-Profile Divorce
These surname changes occur against the backdrop of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's protracted and highly publicized divorce, which was finalized in 2024 after years of legal battles. The former couple's separation has been marked by continuous headlines concerning their personal and financial disputes. Recently, Pitt has expressed a desire to conclude nearly a decade of legal conflicts with Jolie, particularly those related to their former shared business assets and investments.
The children's decisions to distance themselves from the Pitt surname may be interpreted as aligning more closely with their mother's side amid these ongoing tensions. However, the exact reasons remain private, as the family has not issued official statements regarding the name changes. This development underscores the lasting impact of celebrity divorces on family dynamics and public personas.
