Brad Pitt Bio
William Bradley Pitt (born December 18, 1963) is an American actor and film producer. His career spans over three decades, earning him multiple accolades including two Academy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards. Pitt first gained widespread recognition in the early 1990s and has starred in numerous iconic films such as Fight Club, Ocean’s Eleven, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Beyond acting, he is also known for his work as a producer and his philanthropic efforts.
Early Life and Background
William Bradley Pitt was born on December 18, 1963, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, to William Alvin Pitt, the proprietor of a trucking company, and Jane Etta, a school counselor. The family soon moved to Springfield, Missouri, where he lived with his younger siblings, Doug Pitt and Julie Neal. Born into a conservative Christian household, he was raised as Southern Baptist and later oscillated between agnosticism and atheism. Pitt has described Springfield as “Mark Twain country, Jesse James country,” having grown up with a lot of hills and lakes. Pitt attended Kickapoo High School, where he was a member of the golf, swimming, and tennis teams. He participated in the school’s Key and Forensics clubs, in school debates, and in musicals. Following his graduation from high school, Pitt enrolled in the University of Missouri in 1982, majoring in journalism with a focus on advertising. As graduation approached, Pitt did not feel ready to settle down. He loved films, viewing them as a portal into different worlds, and decided to move to Los Angeles to pursue acting.
Path to Hollywood
Pitt’s acting career began in 1987 with uncredited roles in films such as No Way Out and Less than Zero. He made his television debut in a two-episode role on the NBC soap opera Another World. In November 1987, he had guest appearances on the CBS sitcom Trial and Error and the ABC sitcom Growing Pains. He appeared in four episodes of the CBS primetime series Dallas as Randy, the boyfriend of Jenna Wade’s daughter. Later in 1988, Pitt made a guest appearance on the Fox police drama 21 Jump Street. His first leading film role came in the Yugoslavian-American co-production The Dark Side of the Sun, which was shelved due to the outbreak of the Croatian War of Independence and was not released until 1997. After years of supporting roles in film and frequent television guest appearances, Pitt attracted wider recognition in his supporting role in Ridley Scott’s 1991 road film Thelma & Louise, where he played J.D., a small-time criminal. His love scene with Geena Davis helped define him as a sex symbol.
Brad Pitt Career
Early Career (1987–1993)
While struggling to establish himself in Los Angeles, Pitt took lessons from acting coach Roy London. His early work included uncredited parts in films and guest appearances on various television shows. In 1991, he gained significant attention for his role in Thelma & Louise, which marked a turning point in his career. He followed this with roles in films such as Johnny Suede and A River Runs Through It, the latter being a career-making performance that garnered him critical acclaim.
Breakthrough (1994–1998)
In 1994, Pitt starred in Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles, which, despite mixed reviews, solidified his status as a leading man. He followed this with roles in Legends of the Fall and Seven, both of which showcased his versatility as an actor. His performance in Seven was particularly well-received, earning him praise for his portrayal of a detective on the trail of a serial killer. In 1995, he also starred in 12 Monkeys, which earned him his first Academy Award nomination.
Notable Works and Milestones
Pitt’s signature works include Fight Club, Ocean’s Eleven, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. He has received numerous awards, including two Academy Awards, one for acting and one for producing.
Brad Pitt Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Brad Pitt has received numerous nominations for his performances, including multiple Academy Award nominations and Golden Globe nominations.
Brad Pitt Awards Won
Brad Pitt has won several prestigious awards, including two Academy Awards, two BAFTA Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards.
Brad Pitt Family
Brad Pitt is the son of William Alvin Pitt and Jane Etta. He has a brother, Doug Pitt, and a sister, Julie Neal.
Personal Life
Brad Pitt was married to Jennifer Aniston from 2000 to 2005 and to Angelina Jolie from 2014 to 2019. He has six children with Jolie, including adopted children Maddox, Zahara, and Pax, as well as biological children Shiloh and twins Knox and Vivienne. In 2022, he began dating Ines de Ramon.
