Most Interesting Facts About Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable actors in the world. However, there are a few things you might not know about him!

1. Full Name: His full name is William Bradley Pitt. He is 59 years old, born on December 18, 1963.
2. Hometown: Brad is from Oklahoma, USA.
3. Siblings: He has a younger brother, Douglas, and a younger sister, Julie.
4. Heritage: Brad has Irish, Scottish, German, Seminole, and Native American ancestry.
5. High School Interests: During his time at Kickapoo High School, he was interested in football, debates, and musicals.
6. University Education: He studied at the University of Missouri, majoring in journalism.
7. Early Jobs: He held various jobs, such as a limousine driver, to support himself while pursuing acting.
8. First Advertising Job: Brad once dressed as a giant chicken for an “el Pollo Loco” advertisement.
9. Height: He is 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) tall.
10. First Uncredited Role: His first uncredited role was in the film No Way Out.
11. Television Debut: His debut television appearance was on NBC’s Another World.
12. First Film Role: His first movie role was in The Dark Side of the Sun in 1988.
13. Vampire Role: He played the infamous vampire Louis de Pointe du Lac in Interview with the Vampire.
14. Rejected Roles: Brad turned down a role in Apollo 13 to star in Se7en.
15. Famous Relationship: He met Gwyneth Paltrow on the set of Se7en, and they were later engaged.
16. Banned in China: Brad was banned from visiting China due to his role in Seven Years in Tibet.
17. Training for Fight Club: For his role in Fight Club, he trained in boxing, taekwondo, and grappling.
18. First Animated Role: His first animated role was as the lead in DreamWorks’ Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas.
19. High Pay: He was paid $30 million for his role in Ocean’s Eleven.
20. On-Set Injury: An interesting fact from the filming of Troy: while playing Achilles, Brad tore his Achilles tendon.
21. Matchmaking: His agent set him up on a blind date with Jennifer Aniston.
22. Falling in Love with Angelina Jolie: He fell in love with Angelina Jolie on the set of Mr. & Mrs. Smith.
23. Charity Work: He donated $5 million to help rebuild homes in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
24. Home Intruder: In 1999, Athena Rolando broke into his Hollywood home, dressed in his clothes, and waited for him. She was later ordered by the court to stay 100 yards away from him for three years.
25. Guitar Enthusiast: He owns and plays Taylor guitars.
26. Pilot’s License: He holds a Single Engine Land pilot’s license.
27. Weapon Training: Weapon coach Thell Reed trained him alongside Val Kilmer, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Russell Crowe in handling firearms.

Missouri Roots

Brad Pitt was born on December 18, 1963, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, but grew up in Springfield, Missouri. He attended the University of Missouri, where he studied journalism with a focus on advertising, but left two weeks before graduation to pursue a career in acting.

Breakthrough Role in Thelma & Louise

Pitt’s breakout role came in 1991 with Thelma & Louise, where he played a charming drifter named J.D. This role, though relatively small, made a huge impact and turned Pitt into a sex symbol overnight. The famous scene where he seduces Geena Davis’s character is often cited as a key moment in his early career.

Academy Award-Winning Producer

Brad Pitt is not just a successful actor but also an accomplished producer. He co-founded the production company Plan B Entertainment, which has produced several critically acclaimed films, including 12 Years a Slave (2013), which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. Pitt himself won his first Oscar as a producer for this film.

Multiple Oscar Nominations

Over his career, Pitt has been nominated for numerous Academy Awards. He won his first acting Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), where he played the laid-back stuntman Cliff Booth.

Humanitarian Efforts

Pitt is known for his humanitarian work. After Hurricane Katrina, he helped rebuild New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward through his Make It Right Foundation, which aimed to construct environmentally friendly, affordable housing. He has also been involved in various global humanitarian causes, including the fight against AIDS in Africa.

High-Profile Relationships

Pitt’s personal life has been the subject of much media attention, particularly his marriages to Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie. His relationship with Jolie, in particular, was highly publicized, leading to the creation of the media nickname “Brangelina.” The couple has six children together, three of whom are adopted.

Passion for Architecture

Beyond acting, Pitt has a deep interest in architecture and design. He has collaborated with renowned architects like Frank Gehry and even took architecture courses in the late 2000s. His love for design also influenced his humanitarian work, particularly in the construction of sustainable housing.

Diverse Filmography

Pitt has starred in a wide range of films across various genres, showcasing his versatility as an actor. From playing a vampire in Interview with the Vampire (1994) to a gritty boxer in Fight Club (1999) and a suave thief in the Ocean’s Eleven series, Pitt has proven his ability to take on diverse and challenging roles.

On-Set Injuries

Throughout his career, Pitt has sustained several injuries while filming. Notably, he tore his Achilles tendon while filming Troy (2004), where he played the legendary warrior Achilles. This injury caused delays in the production schedule, but Pitt continued to perform many of his own stunts.

Philanthropy and Environmental Advocacy

Pitt is a dedicated philanthropist and environmental advocate. He has supported numerous causes, including the preservation of the environment, disaster relief efforts, and global health initiatives. He has donated millions to various charities and has used his celebrity status to bring attention to important social issues.

Language Skills

Brad Pitt is fluent in several languages, including French, which he learned while living in the South of France with Angelina Jolie. He has often expressed a desire to improve his language skills and has taken lessons in other languages as well.