Brad Pitt recently recounted a memorable and embarrassing incident from one of his earliest movies, highlighting what went wrong during his method acting approach. The 61-year-old actor shared this amusing story on the July 2 episode of the New Heights podcast, offering insight into the challenges of fully immersing oneself in a role.
In the film, Pitt’s character had not eaten for days and was shown eating a large plate of beans. Determined to prove his commitment as a serious actor, Brad ate the entire plate of beans during each take, demonstrating his method acting dedication in front of a full crew.
The Unforeseen Consequence of Committing to Method Acting
Describing the scene, Pitt explained that the shoot took place in a small, crowded café with about 60 people present. It was hot and uncomfortable, but he remained focused on the character’s hunger by finishing the plate of beans every time.
“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,”
Brad recalled.
“My character hadn’t eaten for days, and he gets his big plate of beans, first plate of beans and bacon. And I was all like, Method, you know? I was like, yeah, I’m going to do this right. I just powered down this plate of beans. Take two, do the same thing. Take three, I do the same thing. On four, I do the same thing.”
After the fourth take, the physical effects of eating so many beans set in. Pitt described what happened next with humor, highlighting how the crew’s reaction was far from expected.
“I was stuck in this chair and nature took its course,”
he said.
“Then there was nothing. I went, oh, great. I got away with that one. And then suddenly the entire crew… The most diabolical something… Something descended on the crew in the whole room and they fled the cafe.”
Brad Pitt’s Advice Drawn from the Experience
Pitt’s story, shared alongside hosts Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce on the podcast, not only amused listeners but also offered valuable advice for aspiring actors. While the tale of his method acting fail is entertaining, it serves as a reminder of the unpredictable and sometimes humbling moments that come with fully embodying a role. His experience reflects both the dedication required in method acting and the unexpected consequences that can arise from such commitment.
