William Bradley Pitt (born December 18, 1963) is an American actor and producer. He is one of the most influential celebrities of his generation and has gained fame for his roles in films such as Interview with the Vampire (1994) and Seven (1995). Pitt has received numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards.
Early Life
Brad Pitt was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma, to William Alvin Pitt, a trucking company manager, and Jane Etta Pitt, a school counselor. He was raised in Springfield, Missouri, where he attended Kickapoo High School. Pitt later enrolled at the University of Missouri, majoring in journalism with a focus on advertising, but left two weeks before completing his degree to pursue an acting career in Los Angeles.
Career
Pitt’s acting career began with uncredited roles in films such as Hunk (1987) and No Way Out (1987). He gained recognition for his role as a cowboy hitchhiker in Thelma & Louise (1991). His breakthrough came with leading roles in A River Runs Through It (1992), Legends of the Fall (1994), and Interview with the Vampire (1994).
In 1995, Pitt starred in the critically acclaimed films Seven and 12 Monkeys, earning a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor for the latter. He continued to build his career with roles in Fight Club (1999), Ocean’s Eleven (2001) and its sequels, Troy (2004), Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005), and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008).
Pitt’s performance in Inglourious Basterds (2009) and Moneyball (2011) further solidified his status as a leading actor. He won his first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019).
As a producer, Pitt co-founded the production company Plan B Entertainment, which has produced several successful films, including The Departed (2006), 12 Years a Slave (2013), and Moonlight (2016), all of which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Personal Life
Pitt has been married twice, first to actress Jennifer Aniston from 2000 to 2005, and then to actress Angelina Jolie from 2014 to 2016. He has six children with Jolie, three of whom were adopted internationally. Pitt is known for his philanthropic efforts, including his work with the Make It Right Foundation, which builds affordable housing for victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Filmography
- Thelma & Louise (1991) as J.D.
- A River Runs Through It (1992) as Paul Maclean
- Interview with the Vampire (1994) as Louis de Pointe du Lac
- Seven (1995) as Detective David Mills
- 12 Monkeys (1995) as Jeffrey Goines
- Fight Club (1999) as Tyler Durden
- Ocean’s Eleven (2001) as Rusty Ryan
- Troy (2004) as Achilles
- Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005) as John Smith
- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) as Benjamin Button
- Inglourious Basterds (2009) as Lt. Aldo Raine
- Moneyball (2011) as Billy Beane
- World War Z (2013) as Gerry Lane
- Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) as Cliff Booth
Awards and Nominations
Pitt has received numerous awards and nominations throughout his career, including two Academy Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards. He has also been recognized for his work as a producer, with several of his films winning the Academy Award for Best Picture.
