Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s son, Maddox Jolie, has officially dropped his father’s last name, continuing a recent family trend first seen with his sister Shiloh. This development was revealed when Maddox was credited simply as Maddox Jolie in the end credits of their mother’s latest film, Couture, eight months after Shiloh legally changed her own name.
Maddox’s Recent Film Credits Reflect New Last Name
The 24-year-old, who worked as an assistant director on Couture, received credit as Maddox Jolie rather than Maddox Jolie-Pitt. The drama debuted in French theaters this week, and production notes for its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2025 also listed Maddox under the Jolie surname exclusively. This shift marks a clear departure from prior credits, such as on Angelina Jolie’s biopic Maria, where he was credited with the combined last name.
Family Background and Previous Name Changes Among Siblings
Maddox is one of six children shared by Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, alongside Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and 17-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne. Last year, Shiloh, who was originally named Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt, legally dropped the Pitt surname soon after turning 18. Shiloh’s lawyer Peter Levine explained that this was an independent, significant decision arising from “painful events,” emphasizing that the name change followed legal procedures as required by California law.
“Shiloh Jolie did not take out an ad announcing any name change, and any press reporting that is inaccurate.” ?Peter Levine, Shiloh’s Lawyer
“As Shiloh’s attorney, I am required to publish a legal notice because the law in California requires that of anyone who wants to change their name. That legal notice was published in the Los Angeles Times, as is required.” ?Peter Levine, Shiloh’s Lawyer
Family Relations and Communication Issues Persist
Following Shiloh’s name change, sources indicated that Brad Pitt’s relationships with his older children, including Maddox, remained strained. According to insiders, Pitt has very limited contact with his adult children and reduced involvement with the younger ones due to his demanding filming schedule. This ongoing disconnect appears to be reflected in public appearances and statements.
“He has virtually no contact with the adult kids. His engagement with the younger kids is more limited in recent months because of his filming schedule.” ?Unidentified Insider
Signs of Similar Patterns in Younger Siblings’ Name Usage
Other Jolie-Pitt children have shown similar distancing from the Pitt surname. For instance, Vivienne was credited as Vivienne Jolie on the playbill of the Broadway musical The Outsiders in May 2024. Zahara, who attends Spelman College and is part of the sorority Alpha Kappa Mu Pi, introduced herself without using Pitt’s name in a social media clip, identifying as Zahara Marley Jolie.
“My name is Zahara Marley Jolie. And [I] landed all the way from the Golden State in the city full of angels: Los Angeles, California.” ?Zahara Marley Jolie
Contentious Divorce and Legal Disputes Affect Family Dynamics
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt finalized their divorce in December 2024, concluding an eight-year legal battle marked by tension and conflict. Their dissolution includes ongoing disputes over a French vineyard and estate, after Jolie sold her significant stake to Russian billionaire Yuri Shefler in 2021. These financial and legal disagreements are part of the broader strain affecting family relationships.
Brad Pitt’s Reflections on Family Amid Challenges
Despite the fractured ties, Brad Pitt has spoken publicly about the value of family and learning from mistakes. In June, during an interview at the Formula 1 premiere in Mexico City, he acknowledged past errors and emphasized the importance of surrounding oneself with loved ones. However, his comments contrast with reports detailing the persistent divides within his family.
“No matter the mistake, you just learn from [it] and move on. It’ll lead to the next success.” ?Brad Pitt
“When you get to my age, you realize how important it is to surround yourself with the people you love, the people that love you back.” ?Brad Pitt
“Friends, family, and that’s it. From there, we get to go make things. It’s a pretty simple, I think, equation.” ?Brad Pitt
Sources Highlight Ongoing Family Struggles
Insider reports reveal further details about Pitt’s difficult relationship with his children, especially with adult sons Pax and Maddox. One source spoke candidly about Pitt’s lack of concern regarding Pax’s behavior and described their relationship as effectively broken. There is also no known plan from Pitt to reconcile with his adopted sons, who have expressed clear feelings about their father’s stance.
“He has zero concern with what Pax does or doesn’t do. [Pax’s] actions reflect who he is.” ?Unidentified Insider
“Brad honestly considers his relationship with Pax unfixable.” ?Unidentified Insider
“Pax and Maddox have made it abundantly clear how they feel, and Brad has nothing to say about either of them.” ?Unidentified Insider
“He holds out hope that the others will one day come around. Time heals wounds.” ?Unidentified Insider
Angelina Jolie’s Response to Brad Pitt’s Statements
A source close to Angelina Jolie criticized Brad Pitt’s portrayal of himself as a victim and blamed him for the strain in their family. The source urged Pitt to take responsibility for his actions if he wishes to rebuild relationships with their children, implying that his current attitude is obstructive to reconciliation.
“Brad continues to play the victim. His fractured relationship with his children is a direct result of how he has treated them.” ?Source Close to Angelina Jolie
“He should stop blaming others. If he wants to rebuild a relationship with the kids, he should acknowledge his own actions and make amends.” ?Source Close to Angelina Jolie
