Angelina Jolie confirmed the morbid career she had studied in the past before her success as a film star.

The 49-year-old Maleficent actress, who debuted a new bird tattoo on her arm at the 2024 Gotham Awards on Monday, spoke about the topic on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon.

In a special preview ahead of Thursday’s episode, the SNL alum told the star, “You’re an incredible actor, but I’ve seen some things online.”

“I was wondering if I could ask you if these rumors apply to other careers you may have had. I would be interested to know if any of this is real.”

After Angelina said she was also “interested” in hearing the rumors, Jimmy asked, “First of all, is it true that you trained to be a funeral director before acting?”

The Oscar winner simply replied, “Yes,” before humorously adding, “Doesn’t it make sense?”

Jolie recalled why she initially became interested in the profession: “My grandfather died, and I remember thinking that’s not how they’re supposed to be.”

“This should be a celebration of life.” And since I’m not afraid of death and I was comfortable with it, I thought, “This would be a great career path for me… I could do this better.” I could do something here.”

Fallon agreed with the actress, saying, “We need more people like that,” and Jolie added, “This is my backup career now.”

Jolie’s appearance on The Tonight Show on Thursday will be her first late-night show in 10 years.

The mother of six had previously spoken about wanting to become a funeral director during an appearance on 60 Minutes in 2011.

At the time, the star said: “It sounds like this very strange, eccentric and dark thing, but actually I lost my grandfather and was very upset about his funeral.”

“How someone dies and how the family deals with that death and what death is should be approached in a different way. “If this whole acting thing didn’t work out, that would be my path.”

Jolie has been busy promoting her upcoming Netflix biopic “Maria,” which is expected to be available on the streaming site on December 11.

The film was directed by Pablo Larrain – who is also behind other projects such as Jackie (2016) and Spencer (2021).

Other stars cast alongside Jolie in the film include Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher, Haluk Bilginer and Kodi Smit-McPhee.

In August, the biopic first premiered during the 81st Venice International Film Festival, where it competed for the Golden Lion.

The film’s premise is: “Maria Callas, the world’s greatest opera singer, lives the last days of her life in 1970s Paris as she confronts her identity and her life,” says an IMDB synopsis.

The official trailer for “Maria” was released in October – and quickly sparked excitement among fans for the Oscars.

During a recent interview with The Sunday Times, Angelina spoke about her children Maddox and Pax, who helped out as production assistants on the film Maria.

The star notably shares Maddox (23), Pax (21), Zahara (19), Shiloh (18) and twins Knox and Vivienne (16) with Brad Pitt.

The couple married in 2014 but filed for divorce in 2016 before being declared legally single in 2019. However, Angelina and Brad face court next year over a legal dispute over their French winery.

“They were able to think about the relationships in the film and the violence – things that sometimes you don’t get the chance to talk to your sons about, so I was lucky.”

And while previously speaking to The Hollywood Reporter in August, she reflected on her children having the chance to gain on-set experience.

“Mad and Pax were there.” Doing AD (assistant directing) work. “They’ve done this a few times and I think it’s good for them,” she said.

“Pax usually does stills and then gets called in, and (director) Pablo was wonderful and realized he was good at it.”

Angelina also revealed the reason why she decided to step away from the camera – explaining that she doesn’t need to be home as much for her children.

“They’re a little older and becoming more independent. “I’m needed less, so I can go away for different periods of time.”

She added, “And they’re old enough to go to work with me.” It’s a new season in our lives. I am very pleased that they are becoming more and more effective every day.”

While also speaking to The Times, she revealed that she gets “better work” in Hollywood the older she gets.

“I don’t think about the roles you’re offered, but about the life experience you bring in.” It’s easier for actors than for singers or dancers because your body doesn’t change.”

Jolie then expressed that she disagreed with Maria Callas’ views on aging, but praised the late opera singer’s “commitment” to her passion.

“I am a hard worker. And a deeply feeling person. Maria is vulnerable because she feels like she needs to protect herself from loneliness or emotional pain and is sometimes unable to protect herself from it. Because being extremely human and living like that is part of their life and their work.”

The actress added: “You live through your communication with the audience. This has always been extremely important for Maria and for me.”

As Jolie prepares for the film’s official release on Netflix, she is also in the middle of an ongoing divorce battle with her ex Brad Pitt.

The actor was recently asked to hand over documents that could prove he had abused Jolie and her children.

This came shortly before a source told Page Six that Pitt “misses his children and wants a closer relationship with them, especially as he celebrates the holidays and his birthday this month.”

Pitt, who is currently dating Ines de Ramon, celebrates his 61st birthday on December 18th.

And on Wednesday, another insider informed DailyMail.com that Brad is “begging his twins” to celebrate with him.

The source added that he “loves his kids and it would mean a lot to him if they spent his special day with him.”

“But so far it doesn’t look so great.” Some of the children still talk to him, others don’t. It’s very difficult.’