In 2013, Angelina Jolie’s search for 'work inspiration' led her to a WWII veteran

In 2013, actress Angelina Jolie was on the lookout for a compelling story to base her directorial debut on. Her search led her to a WWII veteran named Louis Zamperini, who lived just a few doors away. Jolie, known for both her acting and directing skills, was working on the film "Unbroken," which was inspired by Zamperini's life. The two had been neighbors for years but only became acquainted once Jolie started looking for a subject.

Jolie revealed during an interview that she had been searching for inspiration far and wide, yet Zamperini had been living right next door, sipping tea on his patio for years. She had read Laura Hillenbrand's book "Unbroken" and realized that her subject was living right outside her window. The actress shared that she and Zamperini quickly became good friends, and the project held immense personal significance for her.

Zamperini, a former Olympic distance runner, had seen his fair share of success, including breaking records at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. However, his life took a dramatic turn when the war broke out, forcing him to abandon his athletic career and passion. After the war, he spent 47 days adrift on a small life raft, battling sharks and starvation before being captured by Japanese forces. For the next two years, he endured the hardships of a prisoner of war in their camps.