Brad Pitt humorously shares a method acting story involving beans, showcasing his dedication and notorious onscreen eating habits.
Brad Pitt revealed one of his most outrageous Brad Pitt method acting stories during a recent appearance on the podcast hosted by Jason and Travis Kelce. On July 2, in Episode 146 of their show, the Kelce brothers delved into Pitt’s long-standing association with eating on screen, prompting the actor to open up about a memorable incident from his early career and the unexpected fallout that followed.
Pitt Offers Candid Account of Early Film Mishap
As the conversation turned to his now infamous on-screen eating, Pitt was quick to poke fun at his reputation. After Travis Kelce brought up how audiences frequently notice his tendency to snack during films, Pitt conceded,
“Everything I’ve done, that’s what I’m known for,”
—Brad Pitt, actor—before launching into the story that few had heard before.
He admitted to the Kelces,
“The confession you heard first, right here,”
—Brad Pitt, actor—signaling an anecdote he had rarely revisited. Pitt recalled working on one of his earliest projects, a small independent film, shot in a cramped and stifling cafe packed with about sixty crew members. To get into character, Pitt explained that his role required him to portray someone who hadn’t eaten for days, ultimately culminating in a scene where his character receives a heaping plate of beans.
“I haven’t thought about this for years,”
—Brad Pitt, actor—he told the podcast hosts, as he described how he approached the scene with determination. Pitt recounted,
Image of: Brad Pitt
“One of my first movies, this little independent film. We’re shooting in this little tiny cafe. It’s full of the crew, so there’s about 60 people in there. It’s hot, you can’t breathe. And my character hadn’t eaten for days, and he gets this big plate of beans.”
—Brad Pitt, actor. Intending to commit fully to the method, Pitt said,
“First plate of beans and bacon, and I was all, like, method, you know?”
—Brad Pitt, actor. With each take, he continued to eat the beans with gusto,
“I was like, ‘I’m going to do this right.’ And I power down this plate of beans. Take two, do the same thing, take three, I do the same thing. Take four, I do the same thing. Something hit me. It was true evil, and there was nothing I could do; I was stuck in this chair, and nature took its course. And then there was nothing. I went, ‘Oh, great, I got away, I got away with that one.’”
—Brad Pitt, actor.
He went on to explain that while he initially believed he had managed to handle the situation discreetly, events in the cafe quickly escalated.
“And then, suddenly, the entire crew… the most diabolical ‘something something’ descended on the crew and the whole room, and they fleed the cafe. Fleed.”
—Brad Pitt, actor. Pitt’s humorous recollection highlighted both his commitment to authentic acting and the unpredictable hazards that can follow.
The Origin of Pitt’s On-Screen Eating Reputation
The conversation also touched on how Pitt’s eating became a signature trait in his roles, particularly with his character Rusty in Oceans Eleven. The Hollywood star explained that his decision for Rusty to be seen snacking so often was motivated by character logic and not just a personal habit.
Pitt detailed his reasoning:
“I figured he’s always waiting around; he’s like the consigliere of the group,”
—Brad Pitt, actor. He added,
“And he’s always doing this, and doing this, and he’s got to eat on the run. That’s all. That’s where this came from. There was, like, thought behind it.”
—Brad Pitt, actor. This explanation provided further insight into how even seemingly spontaneous character quirks can have deliberate creative roots.
During the interview, the Kelce brothers expressed their admiration for Pitt’s honesty and self-deprecating humor as he recounted his experiences on set. The conversation also touched on other memorable moments from Pitt’s career, including his playful participation in a Jackass-style prank and his involvement with sports movies.
Brad Pitt’s revelations highlighted his distinctive approach to character work, often involving unconventional choices that have come to define his screen presence. Sharing the behind-the-scenes story not only entertained listeners but also provided a rare glimpse into the unpredictable and sometimes awkward situations actors can face in pursuit of authenticity. As one of Hollywood’s most recognized figures, Pitt’s willingness to laugh at his own expense adds another memorable chapter to his ongoing legacy.
