James Haven, son of actor Jon Voight, described his father's reaction to his recent public coming out as "mind-blowing" and "surreal." Haven, 53, announced his sexuality on a livestream last Thursday, a revelation that followed years of a strained relationship with his father.
Voight, 87, called his son shortly after the announcement. "I finally know who you are," Voight told Haven, according to an interview Haven gave on the podcast All Out with Jon Dean. Haven described the ensuing conversation as "really nice."
This acceptance comes after a long period of distance between father and son. Haven noted that his father's support was unexpected, especially given their history, which included a period of not speaking for six years. "We have had a checkered relationship," Haven stated. He described experiencing a "really tough upbringing" and feeling "no value" from his father in the past.
Haven and his sister, actress Angelina Jolie, have had a complex relationship with Voight since his 1976 split from their mother, Marcheline Bertrand. Both siblings legally dropped the surname Voight. In 2007, Voight attributed his children's feelings toward him to "programmed anger from their mother who understandably felt quite hurt when we divorced."
Haven announced he was gay while sitting with his ex-wife, Romi Imbelli. The two married in August 2024 but sought an annulment 15 days later, though they have remained close friends. Imbelli was present during Haven's livestream announcement and had warned him about the public's attention to his revelation.
During the livestream, Haven shared a prepared statement, expressing hope for acceptance. "I hope my family and others can choose love over fear, understanding over judgment, and connection over the beliefs that may have kept us apart," he said. Imbelli acknowledged that she had an inkling of Haven's sexuality before their marriage but "didn't want to see it."