Angelina Jolie made her first humanitarian trip in 2001, and has worked tirelessly since to help displaced persons and refugees in more than 30 countries. On top of her humanitarian efforts, Jolie may explore other avenues to make a difference.
"When you work as a humanitarian, you are conscious that politics have to be considered," the Oscar-winning actress told Vanity Fair. "Because if you really want to make an extreme change, then you have a responsibility."
Jolie isn't racing to put her name on a ballot just yet. Her work may be better suited for the private sector, rather than public office.
"But I honestly don't know in what role I would be more useful - I am conscious of what I do for a living, and that (could) make it less possible," she said.
The Academy Awards honored Jolie earlier this year with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for her global efforts and Queen Elizabeth made her an honorary dame. She had adopted three of her six children from orphanages in Cambodia, Ethiopia and Vietnam.
Oprah Winfrey has faced similar questions about her political ambitions. Like Jolie, she also believes she can do more with her celebrity as a humanitarian than as a politician.
"I just feel like there's so much more ability for me, personally, to be able to effect change and to be able to influence through stories and ideas than I could ever do with politics," she told the Associated Press in 2011.
She has dabbled in the political sphere. She endorsed Barack Obama for president in 2007 and held a fundraiser for Newark Mayor Cory Booker in his bid for the U.S. Senate in 2013.
Jolie will continue her career as an actress and her second directorial work "Unbroken" will premiere on Christmas. She's also directing herself and her husband Brad Pitt in the their new movie "By the Sea."
