Early Life and Education
William Bradley “Brad” Pitt was born on December 18, 1963, in Shawnee, Oklahoma. He was raised in Springfield, Missouri, by his parents, Jane Etta, a school counselor, and William Alvin Pitt, a trucking company manager. Brad Pitt attended Kickapoo High School, where he was actively involved in sports, debate, and student government. He later enrolled at the University of Missouri, majoring in journalism with a focus on advertising, but left just before graduation to pursue an acting career in Los Angeles.
Acting Career Beginnings (1987–1993)
Brad Pitt started his acting career in 1987 with small, uncredited roles in films such as No Way Out and Less Than Zero. He made guest appearances in television shows like Growing Pains, 21 Jump Street, and Dallas. His breakthrough came in 1991 when he played J.D., a charismatic drifter, in Thelma & Louise. This role brought him widespread recognition and set the stage for his leading roles in A River Runs Through It (1992) and Legends of the Fall (1994), the latter earning him a Golden Globe nomination.
Rise to Stardom (1994–2000)
Brad Pitt solidified his status as a Hollywood leading man with diverse roles. He played the vampire Louis in Interview with the Vampire (1994) and received critical acclaim for his role as a mental patient in 12 Monkeys (1995), which won him a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination. He then starred in David Fincher’s Seven (1995) alongside Morgan Freeman, and later collaborated with Fincher again for Fight Club (1999), which became a cult classic.
Blockbuster Success (2001–2010)
In the early 2000s, Brad Pitt starred in several box-office hits, including Ocean’s Eleven (2001) and its sequels. He played the Greek warrior Achilles in Troy (2004) and starred opposite Angelina Jolie in Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005), a film that became both a commercial success and a media sensation due to their real-life relationship. He earned an Academy Award nomination for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), a role that showcased his depth as an actor.
Performances and Production Ventures (2010–2020)
Pitt continued to choose diverse and challenging roles. He starred in Inglourious Basterds (2009), Moneyball (2011), and World War Z (2013), with Moneyball earning him another Academy Award nomination. As a producer through his company Plan B Entertainment, he worked on 12 Years a Slave (2013), which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. His performance as Cliff Booth in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) earned him his first acting Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
Awards and Achievements
Brad Pitt has received numerous awards throughout his career, including:
- Academy Awards: 2 wins (12 Years a Slave – Best Picture, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood – Best Supporting Actor)
- Golden Globe Awards: 2 wins (12 Monkeys, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood)
- British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA): 2 wins
Philanthropy and Humanitarian Efforts
Beyond acting, Pitt is known for his philanthropic work. He co-founded the Make It Right Foundation to rebuild homes in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. He has also been involved in various humanitarian and environmental causes.
Legacy and Impact
As of 2025, Brad Pitt remains one of Hollywood’s most influential actors and producers, with his films grossing over $6.9 billion worldwide.
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