Brad Pitt, born William Bradley Pitt on December 18, 1963, is a highly acclaimed American actor and film producer. Throughout his career, he has earned numerous prestigious awards, including two Academy Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award. Pitt has been recognized as one of the most influential celebrities, appearing on Forbes’ Celebrity 100 list from 2006 to 2008 and the Time 100 list in 2007.
Profile Summary
Full Name | William Bradley Pitt |
Date of Birth | December 18, 1963 |
Place of Birth | Shawnee, Oklahoma, U.S. |
Nationality | American |
Spouse | Jennifer Aniston (m. 2000; div. 2005), Angelina Jolie (m. 2014; div. 2019) |
Children | Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Knox, Vivienne |
Occupations | Actor, Film Producer |
Net Worth | Approximately $400 million (2024) |
Early Life and Education
William Bradley Pitt was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma on December 18, 1963, and raised in a conservative Christian household in Springfield, Missouri. He has described his upbringing as being in “Mark Twain country, Jesse James country.”
Pitt attended Kickapoo High School where he was involved in various sports and clubs. After briefly studying journalism at the University of Missouri, he left two weeks before graduation to pursue acting in Los Angeles, citing his love for film as his motivation. Pitt has credited Gary Oldman, Sean Penn, and Mickey Rourke as his early acting inspirations.
Career
While struggling to establish himself in Los Angeles, Pitt took acting lessons from Roy London. His career began in 1987 with uncredited roles in several films and TV shows.
He gained wider recognition in the 1991 film “Thelma & Louise” and continued to showcase his talent with roles in various films, including “Legends of the Fall” (1994) and “Seven” (1995). Pitt received critical acclaim for his performance in “12 Monkeys” (1995), winning a Golden Globe.
He continued to take on diverse roles, but not all were well received, such as in “Interview with the Vampire” (1994) and “Meet Joe Black” (1998). Despite some mixed reviews, Pitt’s versatility and dedication to his craft earned him a solid reputation in the film industry.
In 1999, Pitt starred as Tyler Durden in David Fincher’s “Fight Club,” showing his dedication to the role by undergoing physical training and even having pieces of his teeth removed for a realistic look. The film, based on Chuck Palahniuk’s novel, received mixed reviews but Pitt’s performance was widely praised.
He continued to impress in films like “Snatch” (2000) and “The Mexican” (2001), showcasing his versatility. Pitt also made a memorable guest appearance on “Friends” and starred in the successful heist film “Ocean’s Eleven” in 2001.
Pitt displayed his comedic side with appearances on MTV’s “Jackass” and voice roles in animated films in 2002 and 2003, further expanding his repertoire.
In 2004, Pitt starred as Achilles in “Troy” and reprised his role as Rusty Ryan in “Ocean’s Twelve,” which was a success at the box office. In 2005, he starred in “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” with Angelina Jolie, where their on-screen chemistry was praised. The film was a commercial hit, grossing $478 million worldwide.
Pitt continued to impress with his performance in the multi-narrative drama “Babel” (2006), earning critical acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination. He also produced the Academy Award-winning film “The Departed” through his company, Plan B Entertainment.
In the following years, Pitt starred in sequels like “Ocean’s Thirteen” (2007) and played Jesse James in “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” (2007), a role that earned him recognition at the Venice Film Festival.
Pitt’s performances in films like “Burn After Reading” (2008) and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (2008) continued to showcase his talent and versatility, earning him award nominations and critical acclaim.
In 2009, Pitt starred as Lieutenant Aldo Raine in “Inglourious Basterds,” a Quentin Tarantino-directed war film that was a box office hit and received favorable reviews.
Pitt voiced Metro Man in the animated film “Megamind” (2010) and produced and acted in Terrence Malick’s “The Tree of Life,” which won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and earned critical acclaim.
Pitt’s role as Billy Beane in “Moneyball” (2011) garnered him award nominations, followed by roles in successful films like “World War Z” (2013) and “12 Years a Slave” (2013), which won the Best Picture Oscar.
Pitt continued to impress with roles in “Fury” (2014), “The Big Short” (2015), “Allied” (2016), and “War Machine” (2017). He received awards for his performance in Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” (2019) and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for his portrayal of Dr. Anthony Fauci on Saturday Night Live.
Pitt ventured into the music industry in 2021 with the creation of Miraval Studios in France. In subsequent years, he starred in films like “Bullet Train” and “Babylon” and signed on to produce and star in a racing film titled “F1.” Pitt also co-starred with George Clooney in the comedy-thriller “Wolfs.”
Personal Life
Brad Pitt met Angelina Jolie while filming Mr. & Mrs. Smith in 2004, and they began dating shortly after Pitt’s separation from Jennifer Aniston. The couple married on August 14, 2014, with their six children present at the ceremony.
However, Jolie filed for divorce on September 19, 2016, citing irreconcilable differences. Their divorce was finalized on December 30, 2024, after an extensive legal battle. Despite the challenges, Pitt remains committed to his children: Maddox (23), Pax (20), Zahara (19), Shiloh (18), and twins Knox and Vivienne (16).
Recently, tensions have arisen as Shiloh petitioned to change her last name to Jolie, reflecting her estrangement from Pitt. Currently, he is dating jewelry designer Ines de Ramon.
Brad Pitt Net Worth
Brad Pitt’s net worth is estimated to be around $400 million as of 2024. His wealth stems from a successful acting career, where he typically earns at least $20 million per film, and significant income from his production company, Plan B Entertainment.
Notably, he received $35 million for his role in the upcoming film Wolfs and $30 million for F1. Additionally, Pitt’s investments, including a stake in the Miraval winery valued at approximately $160 million, contribute to his financial portfolio.
Filmography
Brad Pitt’s filmography spans over three decades and showcases his versatility across various genres. Key films include:
- Early Career: Thelma & Louise (1991), A River Runs Through It (1992), Legends of the Fall (1994), Se7en (1995).
- 2000s Success: Ocean’s Eleven (2001), Troy (2004), Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005), Babel (2006), Inglourious Basterds (2009).
- Awards Recognition: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), Moneyball (2011), winning an Oscar for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019).
- Recent Works: Bullet Train (2022) and upcoming films like Wolfs and F1.
Awards and Nominations
Brad Pitt has received numerous accolades throughout his career:
Academy Awards
- Wins: 2
- Best Supporting Actor for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2020)
- Best Picture for 12 Years a Slave (2014, as a producer)
- Nominations: 7
- Best Supporting Actor for 12 Monkeys (1996)
- Best Actor for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2009)
- Best Actor and Best Picture for Moneyball (2012)
- Best Picture for The Big Short (2016)
Other Recognitions
Pitt has also won numerous other awards, including Golden Globes and BAFTAs, further highlighting his impact in the film industry.