Brad Pitt is a well-known American actor who began his career in minor roles in Hollywood films. The actor, who has had a passion for acting since he was a child, dropped out of college to pursue a career in show business. Following minor roles in films such as ’21 Jump Street,’ ‘Cutting Class,’ and ‘Happy Together,’ he landed his big break in ‘Legends of the Fall.’ His performance as the lead in a strong ensemble cast, which included the famed Anthony Hopkins, was well-received. He subsequently went on to star in Morgan Freeman’s ‘Seven,’ progressively establishing himself in the film industry. His acting career has had its ups and downs, but he has proven his mettle to the world through the years and is now a sought-after actor. Films like ‘Fight Club,’ ‘Ocean’s Eleven,’ and its sequels, ‘Troy,’ ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith,’ ‘The Departed,’ Babel, and World War Z’ have all been significant hits for him. This well-known actor also has his own production company, ‘Plan B Entertainment,’ which has produced a number of noteworthy films. In addition to performing, he has voiced a number of cartoon characters, including ‘Sindbad’ and ‘Metro Man.’ This actor has wowed the world not only with his acting abilities, but also with the social issues that he supports and donates to on a daily basis.
Childhood and Adolescence
William Bradley Pitt was born on December 18, 1963, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, to William Alvin Pitt, a truck company owner, and Jane Etta Pitt, a school counselor. Later, he moved to Springfield, Missouri, with his family, which included two other siblings, Doug and Julie Neal.
The little child attended ‘Kickapoo High School’ for his secondary schooling. He was involved in extracurricular activities such as swimming, acting, golf, tennis, and debates in school. He enrolled at the ‘University of Missouri’ in 1982 to study journalism with a focus on advertising, but dropped out two weeks before graduation.
Career of Brad Pitt
Pitt made his acting debut in 1987, appearing in films such as ‘Less Than Zero,’ ‘No Way Out,’ and ‘No Man’s Land.’ He also starred in two episodes of the sitcom ‘Another World,’ which was broadcast on the NBC network.
He had a cameo appearance in the film ’21 Jump Street’ in 1988, after which he was cast as the lead in the film ‘The Dark Side of the Sun.’ However, due to the ‘Croatian War of Independence,’ the film, which was a partnership of American and Yugoslav producers, was unable to be completed on time.
For the next few years, he appeared in minor roles in films such as ‘Cutting Class’ and ‘Happy Together,’ as well as television shows such as ‘Freddy’s Nightmares’ and ‘Growing Pains.’ However, it was his portrayal as criminal ‘J.D.’ in ‘Thelma & Louise’ that made the world aware of his acting talent.
He gave a few more underwhelming performances in films that bombed at the box office. After that, he landed a role in Robert Redford’s ‘A River Runs Through It,’ in which the latter played Paul Maclean. Critics and viewers alike praised the film as well as his performance.
In the 1994 film ‘Interview with the Vampire,’ he was part of an ensemble cast that included Antonio Banderas, Tom Cruise, Christian Slater, and Kirsten Dunst.
In the same year, he co-starred with Anthony Hopkins, Juliette Binoche, Aidan Quinn, and Henry Thomas in ‘Legends of the Fall,’ a film adaptation of Jim Harrison’s novel.
The next year, he was cast in ‘Seven,’ opposite Gwyneth Paltrow and Morgan Freeman, as a detective attempting to apprehend a serial killer. The film was a box office success, grossing $327 million. Following that, he starred in Terry Gilliam’s 1995 sci-fi film ’12 Monkeys.’
He went on to star in films like ‘Sleepers,’ ‘Meet Joe Black,’ and ‘The Devil’s Own’ during the next few years. He also starred in the film ‘Seven Years in Tibet,’ in which he played Austrian climber Heinrich Harrer, but the picture failed to satisfy spectators.
Brad was cast in the film ‘Fight Club’ in 1999, alongside Edward Norton and Helena Bonham Carter. Despite the film’s mixed reviews, Pitt’s portrayal of Norton’s alter ego received praise. Pitt’s second appearance in ‘Spy Game’ came two years later, in 2001, after the box office triumph of ‘The Mexican,’ a romantic comedy starring Julia Roberts. Tony Scott’s thriller, which also starred Robert Redford, garnered $143 million worldwide.
In December of 2001, the budding celebrity starred alongside Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, and George Clooney in the film “Ocean’s Eleven.” The picture was a huge success at the box office, grossing over $450 million worldwide.
In 2003, he began voicing animated films such as ‘Sindbad: Legend of the Seven Seas’ and ‘King of the Hill.’
In the following year, in 2004, the talented actor portrayed Achilles in the ‘Troy’ film based on the ‘Iliad’. He trained extensively in sword-fighting for the role, and his brief but powerful performance was widely commended. In the same year, he starred in the 362 million dollar film ‘Ocean’s Twelve.’
Mr. & Mrs. Smith, an action comedy starring Pitt and Angelina Jolie, was released in 2005 and became one of the year’s most popular pictures, grossing $478 million. The following year, he co-starred with Cate Blanchett in the film ‘Babel,’ for which he garnered multiple ‘Academy’ and ‘Golden Globe’ nods.
Pitt’s producing company, ‘Plan B Entertainment,’ released the film ‘The Departed’ in 2006. Martin Scorcese directed the film, which starred Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, and Mark Wahlberg, and won the Academy Award for ‘Best Picture’.
In 2007, Brad starred in a drama called ‘The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.’ The film, which was produced by the actor’s firm, ‘Plan B Entertainment,’ received positive reviews.
The amazing performer was cast in the lead role of David Fincher’s film ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.’ Pitt plays a guy in his eighties who looks younger as he gets older in the film, which was released in 2008.
Lieutenant Aldo Raine in Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Inglorious Basterds’, released in 2009. The film features outstanding performances from all of its cast members and was well received by critics and audiences alike, grossing $311 million. He returned to voice animated superhero ‘Metro Man’ in the film ‘Megamind’ the following year. In 2011, he gave an outstanding performance as Billy Beane in Bennett Miller’s film ‘Moneyball.’
Brad appeared in box office smashes such as the horror picture ‘World War Z’ and the Academy Award-winning feature ’12 Years a Slave’ in 2013. He recently appeared in the war film ‘Fury.’
Major Projects of Brad Pitt
This talented actor is known for his powerful performances in most of his films, but it is ‘World War Z’ that stands out for its superb acting, thrilling moments, and compelling storyline. The film, which was released in 2013, was a huge success, grossing $539 million at the box office, surpassing his past films such as “Ocean’s Eleven” and “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.”
Achievements & Awards
In 1995, he earned the ‘Golden Globe Award‘ for his supporting performance in the science fiction film ’12 Monkeys,’ as well as an Academy Award nomination.
For his cameo in the eighth season of the iconic sitcom ‘Friends,’ Brad received an Emmy nomination for ‘Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series.’
In 2007, the popular actor earned the ‘Volpi Cup’ award for ‘Best Actor’ for his portrayal in ‘The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford,’ a production of his own company. At the ’64th Venice International Film Festival,’ the award was presented.
For his role as the protagonist in the 2008 film ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,’ he received multiple ‘Academy’ and ‘Golden Globe’ nods.
Pitt’s character Aldo Raine from the film ‘Inglorious Basterds’ received an MTV Movie Award nomination for ‘Best Male Performance.’
Personal History and Legacy
Pitt dated co-stars Robin Givens, Juliette Lewis, and Jill Schoelen for brief times early in his film career. He was in a relationship with American actress Gwyneth Paltrow from 1994 to 1997.
He married Jennifer Aniston, of ‘Friends’ fame, in 2000. The two performers, however, decided to divorce after five years of marriage.
Brad began dating actress Angelina Jolie in 2004, shortly after his divorce was announced. However, on August 23, 2014, the two, also known as “Brangelina,” married. In September, Angelina Jolie filed for divorce from Brad Pitt and announced their separation after 12 years of marriage.
Shiloh Nouvel is the couple’s daughter, while Knox Léon and Vivienne Marcheline are their twins. Maddox Chivan, Pax Thien, and Zahara Marley are their three adopted children. The three were born in the countries of Cambodia, Vietnam, and Ethiopia, in that order.
This talented actor is also well-known for his humanitarian work, particularly in the areas of stem-cell research, poverty, and AIDS. Along with other celebrities such as George Clooney, Don Cheadle, and Matt Damon, he is a founding member of the ‘Not On Our Watch’ organization.
He’s also the founder of the ‘Make It Right Foundation,’ which provided residential rehabilitation for Hurricane Katrina sufferers. He and Angelina also formed the ‘Jolie-Pitt Foundation,’ which has made considerable financial contributions to a number of charity organizations.
Estimated Net Worth
This well-known American actor is worth 300 million dollars.
Trivia
This well-known American actor is a perfectionist, and before filming his film ‘Fight Club,’ he went to the dentist to get his front teeth damaged in order to get into character. He needed to get his teeth corrected after the filming was finished.