Angelina Jolie “Open” to New Political Career

"Maleficent" was the biggest movie of Angelina Jolie's career, but could it also be one of her last?

The actress, who's currently directing and starring in her self-written movie "By the Sea," mulled a possible career change in the December 2014 issue of Vanity Fair. "When you work as a humanitarian, you are conscious that politics have to be considered," said Jolie, whom Queen Elizabeth II made an honorary dame in June. "Because if you really want to make an extreme change, then you have a responsibility."

Jolie, 39, became a UN Goodwill Ambassador in 2001 and has risen to the rank of director and special envoy for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. "I honestly don't know in what role I would be more useful," Jolie confessed. "I am conscious of what I do for a living, and that could make it less possible."

Does Jolie see herself pursuing a life in politics, diplomacy or public service? "I am open," she answered.

Yet, earlier this year, Jolie was less sure if politics seems like a plausible next step. "If I thought I'd be effective, I would," the actress told George Stephanopoulos during a "Good Morning America" interview in May. "But I'm not sure if I would ever be taken seriously in that way and be able to be effective."

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Mario Testino for Vanity Fair

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If Jolie were to go into politics, she wouldn't be the first person in Hollywood to do so. Ronald Reagan acted in more than 50 movies and TV shows before running for office. He was elected Governor of California from 1967-1975, and he served as the 40th President of the United States from 1981-1989.

Shirley Temple unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in 1967. Two years later, the conservative former child star was appointed Representative to the 24th General Assembly of the United Nations. In 1976 she was appointed the U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, and in 1989, she served as the United States Ambassador to Czechoslovakia.

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Nine years later, Jesse "The Body" Ventura ran for governor of Minnesota as a Reform Party candidate; he served just one term.

Registered Republican, actor and bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected the 38th Governor of California, which he served from 2003-2011. And, as a "Colbert Report" gag, Stephen Colbert faked a presidential run in 2008.

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