Angelina Jolie is grieving a heartbreaking loss within her family following the death of her uncle, songwriter Chip Taylor, who passed away at the age of 86.
Widely respected in the music world, Taylor built a remarkable career that spanned decades and influenced multiple generations. His death was announced by close friend and fellow musician Billy Vera, who shared a touching tribute on social media, writing that his “friend and songwriting mentor” had died in hospice. As of Tuesday afternoon, neither Angelina nor her father, Jon Voight, had publicly commented on the news.
Born James Wesley Voight in Yonkers, New York, Taylor came from a deeply creative family. While his brother Jon and niece Angelina achieved fame in Hollywood, he forged his own legacy in music, quietly becoming one of the industry’s most influential songwriters.
His best-known work remains the 1966 hit “Wild Thing,” made famous by The Troggs. The catchy anthem defined an era and has since been covered by numerous artists, securing its place in rock history. Taylor also wrote “Angel of the Morning,” another enduring classic recorded by artists including Merrilee Rush and later Juice Newton.
In recognition of his contributions, Taylor was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2016. Legendary performers such as Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Frank Sinatra, Waylon Jennings, and Dusty Springfield all recorded songs he wrote, according to a Grammys Museum biography.
Beyond songwriting, Taylor also pursued a recording career, particularly later in life. After initially attempting professional golf, a wrist injury redirected his focus to music. Recording under the name Wes Voight, he signed with Warner Bros. Records in 1961 and released “Here I Am,” which reached the Top 100.
He also played an active role behind the scenes, acquiring several record companies and launching his own independent label, Train Wreck Records, in 2007.
The sad news arrives amid ongoing tensions between Angelina Jolie and her ex-husband Brad Pitt over their Château Miraval vineyard. As of March 2026, the dispute over Jolie’s 2021 sale of her stake is heading toward trial. Jolie has not returned to the French estate since 2016, citing “painful events,” and a judge recently ordered her to hand over private messages in a ruling that favored Pitt.
