David Duchovny reveals how he helped discover Angelina Jolie, says 'I just knew she was a movie star'

David Duchovny, who was part of the casting for 'Playing God,' revealed he knew he had to cast Angelina Jolie the moment she walked in
PUBLISHED JUN 28, 2024
David Duchovny and Angelina Jolie starred together in 'Playing God' movie (Getty Images, @davidduchovny/Instagram)
David Duchovny and Angelina Jolie starred together in 'Playing God' movie (Getty Images, @davidduchovny/Instagram)

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: ‘Californication’ star David Duchovny has opened up about his role behind the success of Angelina Jolie’s career.

During the latest episode of SiriusXM’s ‘Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen,’ the ‘What Happens Later’ star played a game of word association with several co-stars. 

LONDON - JULY 30:  David Duchovny arrives to the UK film premiere of 'The X Files, I Want To Believe
David Duchovny recently appeared in a rom-com 'What Happens Later' (Getty Images)

When the host asked him about Julia Louis Dreyfus, he called her "fantastic" and "smart," Eddie Murphy a "legend," Demi Moore "sweet," and Halle Berry "great."

But when Cohen brought up Jolie’s name, he had a story to share. "I feel like I discovered Angelina Jolie," he said.

"Because I was casting -- I was part of the casting of [Playing God]. I didn't discover her, but you know, she came in and I just knew she was a movie star. I told everybody, 'We've gotta cast her!'" Duchovny explained.



 

What were David Duchovny and Angelina Jolie's characters like in 'Playing God'?

Duchovny played Eugene Sands’ character, a disgraced surgeon who gets his license to practice medicine revoked due to his drug abuse, according to ET.

The lead saves a man's life after a shooting at a nightclub which impresses local mobster Raymond Blossom (Timothy Hutton). Richard then hires Eugene to be his personal physician and Eugene gets romantically involved with the mobster's girlfriend, Claire (Jolie).

However, it is worth mentioning that the ‘Salt’ actress had already featured in the cult classic ‘Hackers’ 1995.

Angelina Jolie attends the opening night of
Angelina Jolie was nominated for Best Actress in 2009 for her role in ‘Changeling' (Bruce Glikas/Getty Images)

Angelina Jolie's career highlights

Jolie went on to become one of the most successful actresses in Hollywood.

In 2000, she bagged the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in ‘Girl, Interrupted' and was nominated for Best Actress in 2009 for her role in ‘Changeling.’

Jolie was also honored with the Oscars' Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 2014.

In June, Jolie won her first-ever Tony Award with her daughter and producer's assistant, Vivienne Jolie-Pitt.

They were honored after their produced Broadway musical ‘The Outsiders' was chosen for the Tony Awards for Best Musical.

Jolie is mother to six children - Maddox, 22, Pax, 20, Zahara, 19, Shiloh, 17, Vivienne and her twin brother, Knox, 15 - whom she shares with her ex-husband, Brad Pitt. 

The entire episode of SiriusXM’s 'Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen' will be televised from Monday through Friday at 10am ET on Radio Andy (Ch. 102) and will be available at SiriusXM app.

MORE STORIES

The post Khloe Kardashian liked featured Charlie Kirk speaking with a fan at an event about his devout Christian faith
Sep 13, 2025
Whitney Cummings sparked widespread outrage after posting a controversial tweet about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk
Sep 13, 2025
Prince Harry was spotted entering King Charles’s London residence, months after saying his father had ignored his calls
Sep 11, 2025
Rosie O'Donnell said Ellen DeGeneres’ friendship denial hurt so much she printed T-shirts for her staff reading, 'I don’t know Rosie, we’re not friends'
Sep 10, 2025
A post alleged that Karoline Leavitt called Patti LaBelle 'just a singer,' leading LaBelle to deliver a seven-word response that froze the studio
Sep 10, 2025
Jennifer Lopez feels free channeling emotions into music, but Ben Affleck is embarrassed and sees it as crossing a line, according to the source
Sep 9, 2025
Howard Stern added that he missed last week’s show due to illness, not contract talks, and addressed rumors of being fired from his own show
Sep 9, 2025
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement in August 2025 triggered a wave of pregnancy chatter after an ultrasound photo went viral
Sep 9, 2025
Ed Sheeran, 34, revealed that he was leaving Suffolk with his wife Cherry Seaborn and their two daughters, Lyra and Jupiter
Sep 9, 2025
From Ice Spice’s chaotic corset to Paris Hilton’s flame dress, see the celebs who landed on the worst-dressed list at the 2025 VMAs
Sep 8, 2025