Actress Angelina Jolie seen in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Wednesday, during a meeting with President Barack Obama. Story on White House visit by Angelina & Brad Pitt here. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Question: Why is Angelina Jolie so popular? It can't be her work as Tomb Raider Lara Croft. Is it her beauty? Her marriage to Brad Pitt? What? And/Or: How much does it help presidents to be seen with popular entertainers and movie stars?