Knox Jolie-Pitt is practically a spitting image of a young Brad Pitt. You’ve probably seen the photos from the 2024 Governors Awards—the sharp jawline, the buzz cut, that unmistakable "movie star" DNA. But behind the red carpet flashbulbs lies a family tree that’s been, honestly, fractured for a long time.
When we talk about the Knox Jolie-Pitt grandparents, we aren’t just talking about a list of names. We’re talking about Oscar winners, school counselors, and a decade-long web of estrangement that has redefined what "family" looks like for the youngest Jolie-Pitt son. It’s complicated.
The Missouri Side: Jane and Bill Pitt
On the paternal side, Knox’s grandparents are William Alvin Pitt and the late Jane Etta Pitt. Bill ran a trucking company in Springfield, Missouri, while Jane worked as a school counselor. For years, they were the "normal" anchor for the kids.
Back in the "Brangelina" glory days, Jane and Bill were everywhere. They were at the Unbroken premiere in 2014. They were photographed with the kids in Oklahoma and at the family’s French estate, Château Miraval. Jane even made headlines back in 2013 for publicly supporting Angelina during her preventive double mastectomy, saying how proud she was of "Angie."
Things changed. Hard.
By the time 2024 rolled around, reports surfaced that Bill and Jane hadn't seen Knox or his siblings in nearly eight years. It's a heavy thought. Imagine being in your 80s and losing touch with six of your grandkids because of a legal war you didn't start.
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Tragically, the family suffered a major loss recently. Jane Etta Pitt passed away on August 5, 2025, at the age of 84. Her obituary mentioned her 14 grandchildren and a special tradition she called "Your Special Day," where she spent one-on-one time with each child to celebrate their uniqueness. Whether Knox got to experience those "Special Days" in his later years is something the family has kept very private.
- William Alvin Pitt: Still residing in Missouri; reportedly deeply saddened by the lack of contact with the Jolie-Pitt children.
- Jane Etta Pitt (1940–2025): The "Grammy" figure who was a constant presence in the early 2010s but became a symbol of the "heartbreaking" distance caused by the divorce.
The Hollywood Side: Jon Voight and Marcheline Bertrand
On Angelina’s side, the grandparent dynamic is even more "Hollywood"—which usually means more drama.
Knox’s maternal grandfather is Jon Voight. Yes, the Midnight Cowboy star and Academy Award winner. If you follow celebrity news, you know Jon and Angelina have had a rollercoaster relationship. They didn't speak for six and a half years after he went on TV and claimed she had "mental problems."
They reconciled around 2010, mostly for the sake of the kids. You’d occasionally see Jon at a movie premiere with the family. But lately? The tension is back. In 2024, Jon publicly called out the "nonsense" of the ongoing divorce, essentially asking Brad and Angelina to settle for the sake of the children. It didn't go over well. Reports suggest Knox and his siblings don't see Jon much, if at all.
Then there’s Marcheline Bertrand, Knox’s maternal grandmother.
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Marcheline passed away from ovarian cancer in 2007, just a year before Knox and his twin sister Vivienne were born. Angelina has been very vocal about how much she misses her mother, often saying Marcheline would have "thrived" as a grandmother.
Knox’s twin sister, Vivienne, actually carries her name—Vivienne Marcheline Jolie-Pitt. It’s a tribute to a woman who was the primary influence on Angelina’s parenting style. Even though Knox never met her, her presence is felt through the way he's being raised.
The Namesake Connection: Hal Knox Hillhouse
Ever wonder where the name "Knox" actually comes from? It’s not just a cool-sounding celebrity name.
Knox Léon Jolie-Pitt was named after his paternal great-grandfather, Hal Knox Hillhouse. This was Jane Pitt's father. It’s a bit of a bitter irony—he bears the name of his father’s family, yet the current relationship with that side of the tree is so strained. The "Léon" part of his name comes from Angelina’s great-grandfather.
What the "Insiders" Say vs. Reality
There is a lot of finger-pointing in the media. Some sources close to the Pitt family claim Angelina has "blocked" the kids from seeing Bill and Jane.
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On the flip side, sources close to Jolie insist she has never stopped the kids from calling or writing. In fact, some reports say the kids still send cards and gifts to their grandparents in Missouri for birthdays and Christmas.
The truth? It’s probably somewhere in the middle. When a divorce drags on for a decade, people take sides. Cousins get distant. Phone calls get awkward. For Knox, who is now 17 and nearing adulthood, the choice to reconnect with his Missouri grandparents or his grandfather Jon Voight will eventually be his own.
Key Takeaways for Following the Story
If you're trying to keep track of this family saga, here’s the ground truth as of early 2026:
- Jane Pitt’s Passing: The loss of Jane in 2025 was a turning point. It highlighted just how much time had passed since the kids were a regular part of the Missouri family unit.
- The Resemblance: Knox is frequently compared to Brad, but his quiet, private nature is said to be very much like his grandmother Marcheline.
- The Legal Shadow: As long as the "Château Miraval" legal battles continue between his parents, the path to a relationship with his paternal grandparents remains narrow.
- Age of Consent: Knox turns 18 in 2026. This is huge. In many ways, the "custody" and "access" arguments become moot once he is a legal adult.
The best way to stay informed is to look for primary sources like People or The New York Times, where Angelina occasionally gives rare, measured interviews about her family life. Avoid the "tabloid" blogs that invent quotes—stick to the facts of the public record and the rare, official red-carpet appearances.
Ultimately, Knox Jolie-Pitt’s relationship with his grandparents is a reminder that even the most famous families deal with the same messy, painful estrangements that regular families do. They just do it with the whole world watching.
Next Steps for Readers:
To get a better sense of Knox's upbringing, look into the history of Marcheline Bertrand’s humanitarian work, which Angelina often cites as her blueprint for raising her six children. Understanding Marcheline’s influence helps explain why the Jolie-Pitt kids are so shielded from the typical Hollywood "grandparent" spotlight.