Brad Pitt: Unveiling His Life and Love
From College Dropout to Hollywood Icon: A Journey Beyond the Spotlight
He stands as one of the most illustrious names and faces on the planet. He has claimed every accolade a man can dream of – an Oscar, the title of World’s Most Handsome Man, Best Actor, and the most sought-after bachelor.
Brad Pitt is now a household name, one of Hollywood’s most renowned actors, but how well do fans truly know the Oscar-winning star? Today, we delve into Brad’s private life and unveil some of his most intriguing secrets!
A Path Unforeseen
The path of acting wasn’t always Brad Pitt’s chosen road. Before he stepped in front of the camera, he was a college student, poised to become a journalist. Astonishingly, Pitt is a college dropout. That’s right, when he was just two credits away from completing his journalism degree, he decided it was time to take the leap into acting.
At the age of twenty-two, Pitt left the University of Missouri, just shy of graduation, to thrust himself into the spotlight of his acting career. As it turns out, his eleventh-hour decision was a stroke of genius.
The Calendar Boy
Pitt was destined to be the heartthrob, his good looks catching attention even before he entered show business. Even during his college days, prior to dropping out and heading to Hollywood, the young and attractive Brad posed for the campus calendar.
Imagine searching for good-looking college students for a calendar shoot and stumbling upon the perfect package of baby-blue eyes, silky hair, and a jaw that could cut glass. It must have been quite a day. We bet a copy of that calendar could be worth a small fortune today. Now we just need to figure out how to get our hands on one.
From Commercials to Billboards
A common path for stars to enter television and film is through commercials or modeling. One might say there are “no small roles,” as modeling and advertising serve as stepping stones for potential stars to become recognizable and fill their pockets while waiting for bigger roles.
Brad also trod this path. Apart from his college calendar stint, he made a Pringles TV commercial appearance in 1989 at the age of 26. And in 1990, he starred in a Levi’s jeans advertisement. Honestly, it’s surprising no one had offered him a modeling gig before given this sight to behold.
TV Stardom Beckons
Many future film stars begin their journey on television, and Brad Pitt is no exception. Before he etched his name on the silver screen, Brad Pitt embarked on his career in the world of TV soap operas. Honestly, we see it. There’s something about his looks that perfectly fits the classic “soap” aesthetic. It could be the hair, the eyes, or the combination.
Like many other celebrities, he began with daily soap operas. He took the lead role in the NBC show “Another World” and performed so well that he secured a recurring role (for four episodes) on “Dallas.”
Hollywood Beckons, Thanks to Billy!
Actor Billy Baldwin might have aided Brad Pitt in making a name for himself in Hollywood. How, you might ask? Originally, Baldwin had been cast for the role of “JD” in the legendary film “Thelma & Louise.” That was Brad Pitt’s breakthrough role! Can you even fathom anyone else pulling it off? Yeah, neither can we.
But let’s get back on track. Anyway, Baldwin dropped the project to take what he deemed a more desirable role in Ron Howard’s “Backdraft.” Then Pitt assumed the role, leaving everyone wondering just who he was.
The Hottest Man on Earth: Unveiling the Extraordinary Brad Pitt
When Brad Pitt first stepped into the limelight, most people were in agreement that he was destined for greatness. Initially due to his looks and later, his acting prowess. Yet, these two aspects could never be fully detached. After all, in casting most leading male roles, good looks are almost a prerequisite, and in this regard, Brad more than fulfills the criteria.
Pitt definitely caused a stir, not only snagging the title of “Sexiest Man Alive” from People Magazine once, but twice. He graced the cover in both 1995 and 2000, and it’s safe to say that many were on board with that decision!
A Renowned Vampire
A film that propelled Brad Pitt to prominence was the infamous “Interview with the Vampire.” Penned by horror author Anne Rice, the macabre tale centered on a vampire who agreed to share his life story with a journalist. In a film that paved the way for other vampire flicks, Pitt donned everything needed: fangs, colored contacts, and the best Gothic fashion available.
Pitt was the lead, yet the film boasted an all-star cast including Tom Cruise, Antonio Banderas, Kirsten Dunst, Christian Slater, and River Phoenix. It remains one of Pitt’s more recognizable films.
Forbidden Territory
People of global fame often seem to have the world at their feet, but that’s not always the case. At least temporarily, Brad Pitt was banned from entering China. Why? The Chinese government vehemently disapproved of his 1997 film “Seven Years in Tibet,” believing it portrayed the People’s Republic of China in a negative light and the Dalai Lama in a positive one.
However, after nearly twenty years, Pitt’s ban was lifted and he could step foot in China. He even promoted his 2016 film “Allied” within the country.
A Presence in Asia
Despite the period of banishment in China, Brad Pitt isn’t just a mega-celebrity in the United States; the Asian community also capitalizes on his fame. And we’re not just talking about his films being global hits. Once your face is well-known enough, big corporations are interested in paying for that face to endorse their products and services, regardless of where in the world you hail from.
And so, Pitt appeared in a series of commercials aired exclusively in Asian countries. He starred in a Toyota commercial specifically broadcasted in the Asian market. In Japan, he was also the face of Edwin Jeans and starred in commercials for a Japanese canned coffee brand named “Roots.” Moreover, you’ve probably spotted Brad in other coffee commercials as well, since he was recently appointed as the global brand ambassador for De’Longhi.
Groundbreaking
When it comes to Brad and advertising, you’re likely aware that Chanel is one of the most renowned brands globally, particularly in the realm of perfumes. While the legendary brand had a handful of famous female faces representing their perfumes, in 2012, Brad Pitt was privileged to become Chanel’s first male spokesperson.
Despite Pitt often being regarded as a rather masculine figure, he doesn’t shy away from endorsing a brand primarily consumed by women, and we’re all for it. Following the groundbreaking offer, he starred in major commercials for Chanel No. 5, marketing their timeless fragrances to the male audience. Keep it up, Brad! What a scent-sation.
He Speaks Japanese
Learning another language is quite impressive (at least for Americans) and can be quite challenging and time-consuming unless you’re particularly gifted.
However, as you’ll soon find out in this article, Mr. Pitt happens to be very
Bill Pitt? Unveiling the Lesser-Known Brad
Celebrities often opt for an alternative name to their birth name when seeking to market themselves. If they feel their name lacks glamour (or if their agents feel so), they fill out some forms and have it changed. Hence, from Norma Jeane Mortenson emerged Marilyn Monroe.
What might be shocking (though hardcore fans might already know), is that Brad Pitt was actually born on December 18, 1963, as William Bradley Pitt. Named after his father, his name would essentially be William Pitt, or you could even call him “Bill.” However, “Bill Pitt” doesn’t exactly carry the same Hollywood touch.
Meet the Other Pitts
Fans are often very curious about the families of the stars they look up to. However, most people might not be aware that dear Mr. Pitt has a brother and a sister. Just like Brad, his sister Julie also has a large family of biological and adopted children.
His brother Doug Pitt certainly bears a slight resemblance to his famous sibling (that kind of chin doesn’t show up every day). Doug Pitt, too, has occasionally stepped into the spotlight, even appearing in a Virgin Mobile advertisement in 2012. However, most of the time he’s engaged in investments and philanthropy.
A Working-Class Background
Our beloved Mr. Pitt came from rather average circumstances. No established Hollywood connections or preferential treatment (except for the kind that comes with an almost obscenely good-looking appearance, but that’s just how it is). Tenacity, humility, and hard work will get you far in life, and Brad Pitt has probably seen these values in action throughout his life.
This is likely because his family instilled these values in him. His mother was a school counselor, and his father owned a trucking company. Both his mother and father knew the importance of setting goals, working hard, and not resting on your laurels once you achieve success.
An Unconventional Hobby
Fans truly enjoy hearing about the side hobbies and interests of their favorite stars as it provides insights into their everyday lives. Brad Pitt has a quite interesting side hobby. When he’s not jet-setting around the world and delivering lines to cameras, the actor reportedly has an appreciation for architecture.
His love for architecture is so profound that he even renovated a wine cellar in one of his houses. This DIY project caught the attention of an architecture firm in L.A. (“Frank Ghery”), leading to him landing an internship there. We’re left wondering how he managed to fit an internship into his schedule, but we suspect it’s all about prioritizing what you love.
Take a Seat
As an example of an eccentric hobby, Brad Pitt also designed his own line of furniture. Would you buy a chair designed by Brad Pitt? Most likely. Many people would. Although, to be honest, many people would probably also buy a chewed piece of gum if it could be proven that he stepped on it.
In 2012 (a rather busy year for him in terms of entrepreneurial ventures), Pitt teamed up with furniture designer Frank Pollaro to create a line of luxury furniture. The furniture line was naturally inspired by his love for architecture and design.
Wine
It’s clear that Brad Pitt is a man of intriguing and even sophisticated hobbies – it’s not everyday that regular folks renovate their wine cellars as a passion project and then intern at an architecture firm. The actor decided to dive into another potentially lucrative endeavor: a winery.
After marrying Angelina Jolie in France, the couple fell in love with the place. So much so, they bought a countryside property and established a winery. In 2012, their winery released a rosé wine and later a white wine (which wasn’t as well-received). Unfortunately, the duo sold the estate following their divorce.
Soaring High: Brad Pitt’s Fascinating Array of Talents
If you thought Brad Pitt couldn’t get any cooler, think again. The hobbyist architect, furniture designer, and winery owner also holds a pilot’s license. That’s right. If he’s ever on a plane and the pilot is feeling a bit under the weather, Pitt can step in.
It was his ex-wife Angelina Jolie who inspired him to learn to fly his own plane. Jolie already had her pilot’s license and convinced Pitt that he was missing out on this unique thrill in life. In fact, Pitt even splurged a whopping $3.3 million on a World War II plane in 2013.
A Musician, Too?
And just when you thought that wasn’t possible: the actor has another hobby besides being in front of or behind the camera. This one, however, isn’t too exotic. Pitt also dabbles in playing the guitar. In fact, it’s more than just dabbling. He owns more than one Taylor guitar and regularly plays them.
You’re never too old to start something new—just ask Brad! It appears that in recent years, the actor has embarked on a career in the music industry. Apparently, his interest in music goes beyond just playing the guitar. In 2021, Pitt decided to collaborate with music producer Damien Quintard to renovate and reopen the Miraval Studios in Correns, France. We’re eager to see what musical gems will be recorded there.
A Jewelry Designer, Too
If there’s something Brad Pitt doesn’t know how to do, we haven’t discovered it yet. Apart from his obvious acting talent, the man also does house renovations, crafts wine, can fly an airplane, and appears to have entered the realm of music. On top of that, he’s also skilled at designing jewelry.
For his engagement to Jennifer Aniston, Pitt assisted in designing a $500,000 ring (that’s half a million, folks) featuring a large center diamond and smaller diamonds. And for his engagement to Angelina Jolie, the actor also designed a 16-carat Art Deco-style diamond ring worth around $250,000. He’s undoubtedly a man of many talents.
Invested in His Craft
But let’s circle back to the talent that made him famous: acting. How far would you go to enhance your craft? Method actors are famously dedicated, putting in substantial effort to “become” their characters throughout filming, and often for some time before and after. For other actors, this frequently involves thorough character research and sometimes even undertaking excursions, some of which can be rather dark.
For Brad Pitt, such a dark excursion took him to a mental institution. To prepare for his upcoming role as a mentally disturbed individual in the 1995 film “Twelve Monkeys,” he visited a psychiatric ward in Philadelphia (or rather, “checked himself in”). Hey, sometimes you’ve got to get your hands dirty.
Real Teeth Gritting
There are plenty of shocking and dramatic things actors will do for a role, but there might be a few things they’d never do—even if it meant missing out on an Oscar. Yet, for the film “Fight Club,” Brad Pitt was more than willing to go the extra mile, even scheduling a special dental appointment.
The dedicated star agreed to have his teeth broken for his role as Tyler Durden in the film and kept them that way until the end of production. Of course, he had them fixed afterward.
Combat Preparation
Many actors learn various skills for different roles. Common ones include horseback riding, fencing, speaking in different accents, but martial arts often rank high on the list. Pitt was never afraid to get his hands dirty in preparing for a role, and some of his roles were quite physically demanding.
For his iconic role in the aforementioned film “Fight Club,” Pitt prepped (and he really prepped), as the film involved quite a bit of, well, fighting. To ensure he was ready for the screen, Brad trained in grappling, boxing, and Taekwondo. The training and effort certainly paid off.
An Ironic Twist
Being an actor isn’t all fun and games. Sometimes, it can be downright perilous on set, especially when it comes to action films. That’s why stunt doubles are so frequently employed in filmmaking. Ironically, Pitt didn’t use a stunt double when portraying the ancient hero Achilles in the film “Troy,” and he ended up with an unfortunate injury.
The actor injured his Achilles tendon while performing a stunt for the film, which ironically left him limping for a while. Fortunately, that was the only injury he sustained on set.
Set Injuries
For his role in the film “Se7en,” Brad Pitt played the character Detective Mills. Detective Mills and Detective Somerset (played by Morgan Freeman) were hunting a killer motivated to murder by the seven deadly sins. During the filming of “Se7en,” Pitt actually injured his hand when he was asked to smash a windshield in one of the scenes.
The injury sounds pretty severe, with director David Fincher recalling how he could see the bone in Pitt’s hand! Filmmakers worked to incorporate the injury into the plot but had to reshoot some previously filmed scenes for continuity. Many of these reshoots required Pitt to act with his injured hand in his pocket.
Snacking on Screen
Yet, staring in films doesn’t just carry the risk of injury—it can also be quite enjoyable at times. If you’ve closely observed a Brad Pitt film, you’ll quickly notice an interesting pattern. Pitt is often seen snacking on screen, and it’s not always in the script! This is most evident when he portrays Rusty Ryan in the Ocean’s Eleven series.
Unless it’s an extremely elaborate heist, the man is either holding a piece of food or eating it. As an actor, Pitt might “decide” to eat on screen as a way to calm his nerves or add another layer of humanity to his characters. Either way, it’s become a trademark for Pitt to have a snack on camera.
At Clooney’s Expense
Good friends can share a laugh or two, sometimes at each other’s expense. Brad Pitt and George Clooney have collaborated on various projects since 2001 and have become close friends over the years. Being part of the “Ocean’s 11” film series for three films will apparently do that to you.
One of their favorite shared pastimes seems to involve playing pranks on each other or poking fun at one another (hey, everyone has their own thing). Brad even picked up some rather absurd tabloid rumors about Clooney and used them to tease the actor—who has no problem laughing at himself.
A Creepy Fan Incident
But life in Hollywood isn’t all glitter and fun. Sometimes, people can take the FAN to extreme FANatics. And the results can be both dangerous and unsettling. A very young fan of Brad Pitt was apparently quite obsessed with the actor. She was so determined to get close to him that she somehow managed to find out where he lived and broke into his house!
Reportedly, no one was home at the time. The young girl then put on the actor’s clothes and fell asleep in his bed. Yikes. She was later discovered by the housekeeper, arrested, and received some form of restraining order from Pitt (understandably).
A Special Guest Appearance
But not all fans are that extreme, and most famous actors love their fans and enjoy giving them little treats. Celebrity cameos are an entertaining delight for viewers, especially when the celebrities are mega-famous. Fans love seeing their favorite star suddenly pop up on screen. Brad Pitt had a particularly significant guest appearance as he became a well-known name.
He joined a long line of Hollywood stars who appeared on the successful TV show “Friends,” alongside his then-wife Jennifer Aniston. The audience went wild as Brad got involved in the plot, particularly in a scenario where he was supposed to “hate” his real-life wife. His character not only hated hers but even founded a high school club named “I Hate Rachel Club”!
Nice to Meet You, Jen
With their affable personalities and radiant good looks, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston became one of the most famous Hollywood couples of their generation. But it might surprise you that they didn’t meet on set, at an industry event, or through some magical chance encounter. Oh no, these two were actually set up by none other than their agents.
Pretty romantic, right? Apparently, Hollywood agents can do more than just secure acting roles for you. The pair instantly became an icon in Hollywood. They were together for seven years, five of which were as a married couple, but as we all know, it ended sadly in divorce.
Nicole Kidman
Most people probably know that the reason for Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston’s divorce was Angelina Jolie. But not many people know that “Brangelina” almost didn’t happen. When it comes to the movie “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” originally Nicole Kidman was supposed to star alongside Pitt. However, he felt that there was no chemistry between them on screen.
As a result, Brad wasn’t convinced to do the film. Though the official reason cited for Nicole Kidman not being in the film was a scheduling conflict between two movies. However, things dramatically changed when Angelina Jolie was cast in place of Nicole. No one in their right mind could argue that there was a lack of chemistry between Brad and Angelina. (Even without knowing that this film marked the beginning of their relationship.)
The Most Glamorous Hollywood Power Couple
Not all celebrity duos receive a joint nickname—especially not one as influential as this. Coined by “People” magazine, the term “Brangelina” transformed two superstars into a super-superstar, an achievement that had rarely been successfully accomplished in media history before.
If you were to ask most people, the most glamorous couple in Hollywood during their time together was Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Brangelina was one of the last old-school Hollywood couples, as their peak of fame occurred before celebrities managed their own social media profiles. Today, the everyday lives of celebrity couples are accessible in ways they weren’t before.
A Responsible Father
Brangelina was something that felt so amazing and unattainable, a mega-superstar couple nurturing a truly unique family that was always on display. But after 2016, we’ve returned to a place where we know that they’re just regular people who went through a divorce.
It’s not as simple when you and your partner happen to be two of the most sought-after actors in the industry, but the parents of six children always tried to ensure that their children had both parents present in their lives. The couple made sure not to work at the same time so that one of them could be home with the kids.
Big Family, Big Money
Nowadays, many celebrities are annoyed by paparazzi chasing them and their kids. However, when Brad and Angelina got married and welcomed Shiloh Nouvel, their first biological child, they decided to capitalize on public curiosity. Were they being greedy?
The couple sold their “family photos” for a staggering $14 million. However, their intentions were all pure, as they donated the proceeds to their charitable organization to help starving children in Africa. Surprisingly, baby Shiloh, who was just two months old at the time, got a wax figure of herself and is displayed alongside figures of Brad and Angelina at Madame Tussauds in New York.
Finally Mr. & Mrs. in Real Life
After nine years of dating while raising six children, the dream couple finally decided to tie the knot in August 2014 in a secret wedding at a private chateau in France. It seems like they took their time with this wedding, as they first went out in 2005 and only got engaged in 2012.
At the time, it was reported that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were “low key” and preferred “romantic gestures” to a “big, flashy, multimillionaire wedding.” Allegedly, the couple even donated some money to charity as part of their celebration.
A Very Ugly Divorce
To Brad’s regret, both of his high-profile marriages didn’t last long and weren’t quietly or privately ended. That’s the price of fame. While his divorce from Jennifer Aniston wasn’t pleasant, his divorce from Angelina Jolie was an even bigger ordeal. We’ll spare you the details.
In September 2016, Jolie filed for divorce from Pitt, citing irreconcilable differences. Jolie made strong allegations against Brad’s parenting skills and behavior. In April 2019, the court finally declared Jolie and Pitt’s divorce legally effective. In 2022, Pitt began dating Ines de Ramon, a jewelry designer who is 29 years younger than him. Let’s hope Brad is and will be happy with Ines.
Oscars
But let’s return to Brad’s better moments in life. In addition to winning the Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 2020 for “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” Brad Pitt also won an Oscar for Best Picture in 2014. Interestingly, not for his acting work. Pitt served as a producer for “12 Years a Slave.”
Although he had a small role in it, the Oscar was awarded for his work behind the scenes. Furthermore, he was nominated for his work in “12 Monkeys,” “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” and “Moneyball.” He also won (more or less) the same award at the BAFTAs for “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.”
Major Titles
Over the years, being an actor or actress in Hollywood has been about far more than just acting or pursuing a career in “the arts.” Whether the general public likes it or not, being an actor or actress today makes you a celebrity who holds an influential platform in society.
After all, it’s bound to happen when you have throngs of fans following your high-profile career. Things you say or do have a bigger impact than what the average Joe says or does. In 2007, Brad Pitt was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World for the year. In 2009, he was again included in Time 100, this time in the “Builders and Titans” category.
A Life Philosophy
What’s your guiding principle in life? Almost everyone has a philosophy they live by, whether they admit it or realize it or not. The same goes for celebrities, who nowadays often serve as influencers and success examples.
Brad Pitt’s self-proclaimed philosophy is about always moving forward. Well, more or less. The actor has said he prefers to “keep moving,” to stay relevant, resilient, and positive amidst life’s adversities. So far, this philosophy seems to have served him well, as the man has achieved immense success in countless areas.