Brad Pitt shared a memorable and embarrassing moment from early in his Hollywood career that involved what he called a “diabolical” fart incident requiring the evacuation of an entire film crew. The event occurred during the filming of an indie movie in a small, cramped café packed with about 60 members of the crew. Pitt described how, in an effort to fully embody his character, he consumed a large plate of beans and bacon, which led to the notorious episode. This story highlights a rare and humorous side of the two-time Oscar winner’s journey before achieving widespread fame.
Committing to Character Through Method Acting
In the July 2 episode of the New Heights podcast hosted by Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce, Brad Pitt explained how he approached the scene with a method-style dedication. He stated,
“We’re shooting in this little, tiny café. It’s full of the crew, so there’s about 60 people in there,”
and went on to add,
“It’s hot. You can’t breathe and my character hadn’t eaten for days, and he gets this big plate of beans and bacon.”
Determined to get it right, Pitt continued eating the beans repeatedly over multiple takes.
He elaborated,
“I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m going to do this right,’”
then described how he
“just powered 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.”
This perseverance, while impressive from an acting standpoint, set the stage for the disastrous outcome.
The Moment Nature Took Its Course and Chaos Ensued
Brad Pitt recounted the precise moment when the physical consequences of his meal struck.
“There was nothing I could do. I was stuck in this chair, and nature took its course,”
he admitted. Initially, he thought he had gotten away with the incident, sharing,
“Then there was nothing. I went, ‘Oh, great. I got away with that one.’”
However, this relief was short-lived.
According to Pitt, the trouble returned dramatically when,
“Suddenly, the most diabolical something-something descended on the crew in the whole room,”
causing everyone to flee the café. The description captures both the severity and the humor of the situation, illustrating an unusual challenge on what should have been an ordinary film shoot. He reflected on the experience by stating,
“Ever since then I pace myself.”
Other Early Career Challenges Beyond the Fart Incident
While the infamous fart story is now a source of laughter, Brad Pitt also recalled another humbling episode from the beginning of his career. After landing his first speaking role on the soap opera Another World in 1987, he experienced an embarrassing mishap involving his publicity photo. Pitt described,
“My picture was in a USA Today and this was a big deal,”
and said,
“I sent it to my mom and dad. ‘Look ma, I made it.’”
However, during a visit to a friend’s apartment, he noticed that photo lying on the floor of a litter box with cat feces on it, a symbolic contrast to his newfound recognition.
Soap Operas as Launchpads for Hollywood’s Biggest Names
Brad Pitt is far from alone in beginning his acting journey on soap operas before rising to fame. Many celebrated stars paid their dues in daytime television, which served as a valuable stepping stone for their later success.
Other Actors Who Started on Soaps
Elizabeth Banks appeared briefly as a waitress in All My Children before her breakout role in the cult classic Wet Hot American Summer.
Leonardo DiCaprio made early appearances on sitcoms like Roseanne and Growing Pains, and even featured in a flashback on the soap Santa Barbara before his rise to stardom with Titanic.
Demi Moore worked on General Hospital in the early 1980s, portraying investigative reporter Jackie Templeton.
Julianne Moore earned a Daytime Emmy Award for her work as twins Frannie and Sabrina Hughes on As The World Turns, showcasing her versatility early on.
Kelly Ripa’s long-term role as Hayley Vaughan on All My Children from 1990 to 2002 marked the beginning of her successful television career and lifelong partnership with co-star Mark Consuelos.
Mark Consuelos himself first gained recognition on All My Children before becoming known for roles like the mob boss on Riverdale.
Many More Celebrities Who Launched Careers in Daytime TV
John Stamos gained early fame as Blackie Parrish on General Hospital, preceding his iconic role as Uncle Jesse on Full House.
Josh Duhamel started with the role of Leo du Pres on All My Children, a character known for his dramatic waterfall accident demise.
Eva Longoria portrayed a troubled character on The Young and the Restless, setting the stage for her future success.
Lindsay Lohan played Alli Fowler on Another World before starring in the beloved film Parent Trap.
Ryan Phillipe’s role as Billy Douglas on One Life to Live stood out notably as the first openly gay teenager character on daytime television.
Hayden Panettiere portrayed Lizzie Spaulding on Guiding Light, gaining recognition from 1996 to 2001.
Susan Sarandon appeared in 325 episodes of A World Apart, playing main character Patrice Kahlman early in her accomplished career.
Justin Hartley, known for This Is Us, began with daytime roles including on Passions and The Young and the Restless.
Chrishell Stause transitioned from acting in The Days of Our Lives and The Young and the Restless to becoming a real estate agent featured on Selling Sunset.
Naomi Watts started on the Australian soap Home and Away before gaining fame for films like Mulholland Drive.
Michael B. Jordan’s early work on All My Children as Reggie Montgomery preceded his breakout roles in Black Panther and Creed.
Nathan Fillion acted as Joey Buchanan on One Life to Live, years before starring in Castle.
Christian Slater appeared on Ryan’s Hope as a high schooler before his film career took off.
Marcia Cross played Katheryn “Kate” Sanders on One Life to Live prior to her roles on Desperate Housewives and Melrose Place.
Laurence Fishburne’s early television work included portraying Joshua Hall on One Life to Live.
Heather Locklear first gained viewers’ attention as Sammy Jo Dean on Dynasty, before her later fame on Melrose Place.
Tommy Lee Jones briefly starred as Dr. Mark Toland on One Life to Live early in his long career.
Taye Diggs debuted on Guiding Light before his prominence on Broadway and in television.
Lacey Chabert appeared on All My Children and Party of Five ahead of her role in the film Mean Girls.
Colin Egglesfield was known to soap fans as Joshua Madden on All My Children long before his film success.
Sarah Michelle Gellar’s portrayal of Kendall Hart on All My Children was critically acclaimed, earning her a Daytime Emmy in 1995.
Morgan Freeman started with roles in soaps like Ryan’s Hope and Another World.
Ted Danson gained experience on soaps such as Somerset and The Doctors before becoming a household name.
The Critical Role of Soap Operas in Building Acting Careers
Soap operas have long served not only as entertainment but as training grounds for many actors who eventually reached Hollywood stardom. The long hours, emotional range, and live-style shooting schedules of daytime dramas provide invaluable experience that prepares performers for diverse roles and larger projects. This crucial background often goes unnoticed, but it remains a foundational part of many celebrated careers including that of Brad Pitt, whose willingness to embrace all challenges—shown even in moments like his infamous fart incident—helped build his resilience and commitment.
Looking Ahead: How Early Experiences Shape Future Success
Brad Pitt’s recounting of the “diabolical” fart episode not only offers a glimpse into his early struggles but also reflects how perseverance and humor contribute to growth in the entertainment industry. Such anecdotes remind audiences that behind every polished performance lies a series of trials and errors, often marked by awkward or difficult moments. His story encourages actors to balance professionalism with adaptability, and for fans to appreciate the human side of stars.
As Pitt continues his acclaimed career, reflecting on past challenges like these adds depth to his professional journey and offers inspiration to aspiring performers navigating their own beginnings.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Brad Pitt diagnosed with?
A. Knox Jolie-Pitt, 16 years old, is getting older quickly. He and his twin sister, Vivienne, are the youngest kids of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Recently, Knox showed off his sporty build while exercising outdoors in Los Angeles.
Q. What is Brad Pitt’s disability?
A. Prosopagnosia, or face blindness, is an uncommon brain disorder impacting around 2% of people. It might even include actor Brad Pitt.
Q. Did Brad Pitt do any surgery?
A. Some people think he might have had surgeries like a nose job, facelift, or liposuction, but there’s no solid proof for these claims. Over time, Brad Pitt’s looks might have changed because of aging and other reasons.
Q. What disability does Brad Pitt have?
A. Here’s some information about the condition. Actor Brad Pitt recently mentioned in an interview that he has prosopagnosia, also known as face blindness, a rare brain disorder.
