While on a livestream by reality TV star and ex-wife Romi Imbelli, earlier this month, actor James Haven came out as gay at the age of 53.
“After many years of healing from childhood trauma, I am now free to live the life that I believe I was always meant to live,” the star, the son of Jon Voight and the late Marcheline Bertrand, said.
“One of hope, one of peace and one of love. So as my story unfolds, I want you all to know that I do it with an open heart, with nothing but love for myself and for all of you.”
How did James Haven’s father Jon Voight react to his coming out?
On Wednesday, August 12, James and Romi sat down with Jon Dean for his podcast All Out to discuss his decision to come out late in life, meeting people “with the blinds closed,” and how his family members have received the news.
He acknowledged the tense relationship he shared with his father Jon, 87. The Oscar-winning actor was previously estranged from both James and his younger sister Angelina Jolie, both of whom legally dropped his last name for their stage names.
While both have since reconciled with their father, the relationships were complicated once again by his turn toward more conservative and religious ideologies, culminating in him being named a Special Ambassador to Hollywood under Donald Trump.
James acknowledged during the interview that his upbringing was indeed “difficult,” especially feeling like he had to keep a part of himself hidden for all those years, even recalling his father once heartbreakingly telling him he “had no value.” But they’ve “come a long way” since then.
When James publicly came out, however, he recalls receiving a phone call from his father, one he dubbed “mind-blowing.” He remembers it as his dad saying: “So…I finally know who you are,” adding: “All of a sudden, we had this really nice chat, I called [Romi] immediately, saying ‘I did not expect this phone call.'”
How did James’ sister Angelina Jolie react to his coming out?
While the actor expressed comfort at his dad’s reaction and getting to see him shortly after, he confirmed that he hasn’t yet had the chance to discuss it one-on-one with his famous younger sister just yet.
“I’ve not officially talked to her since I did all this,” he noted. “But [I have] a massive amount of respect. Obviously, we’re almost twins, we look very much alike, and I’ve known her her entire life.”
He added: “I think she’s always wondered without saying anything, again, just the privacy of my life, and [thinking] ‘Who is he? What’s going on with his life?’ So I’m sure she’s very proud of me and I look forward to seeing what she has to say in person,” saying that he wants to “re-meet” her and other members of the family as his true self.
