Brad Pitt
ALL ABOUT BRAD PITT
Full Name: William Bradley Pitt
Date of Birth: December 18,1963
Place of Birth: Shawnee, Oklahoma
Eyes: Blue
Favorite music: Jimi Hendrix, Gipsy Kings, Bob Marley, Stone Temple Pilots, Neil Young, Shirley Manson
Favorite Films: Cuckoo’s Nest, Planet of Apes and Saturday Night Fever
Favorite Drink: Mountain Dew
Favorite Sports: Bicycling, rock climbing, tennis
Hobbies: Interior design, architecture and nature.
Fan Mail:
Brad Pitt
C/O Creative Artists Agency
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Bio:
Actor. Born December 18, 1963, in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Pitt grew up in Springfield, Missouri, the eldest of three children in a devoutly Southern Baptist family. His father, Bill Pitt, owned a trucking company and his mother, Jane Pitt, was a family counselor. Pitt originally aspired to be an advertising art director, studying journalism at the University of Missouri. However, the young college student had other quiet aspirations, the product of a childhood love of movies, which finally seemed tangible his last semester at university when he realized, “I can leave.” On a whim, Pitt dropped out of college, packed up his Datsun, and headed West to pursue an acting career in Los Angeles, just two credits shy of a college degree.
Pitt told his parents he intended to enroll in the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, but instead spent the next several months driving a limousine—chauffeuring strippers from one bachelor party to the next, delivering refrigerators, and trying to break into the L.A. acting scene. He joined an acting class and, shortly after, accompanied a classmate as her scene partner on an audition with an agent. In a twist of fate, the agent signed Pitt instead of his classmate. After weathering only seven months in Los Angeles, Pitt had secured an agent and regular acting work.
Pitt’s first jobs came in television, appearing in episodes of Dallas, the daytime soap Another World, the sitcom Growing Pains, and in 1990’s short-lived Fox Television series, Glory Days. In 1989, Pitt played Billy Canton, the drug-addicted pimp of a teenage runaway, played by Juliette Lewis, in the NBC made-for-television movie Too Young to Die. Pitt and Lewis (9 years his junior at age 16) started dating and eventually moved in together.
Pitt made his big screen debut in 1989’s horror/slasher film Cutting Class with Donovan Leitch, and played a teen track star in Sandy Tung’s Across the Tracks, but it was a well-timed bit part in a controversial Hollywood film that pushed him into the glare of instant stardom. Pitt’s performance as a renegade, sugar-tongued hitchhiker who gets picked up by the two title characters in Ridley Scott’s Thelma and Louise (1991) grabbed universal attention despite only a few minutes worth of screen time. Pitt’s combination of charming bad boy charisma and sexual playfulness (particularly in a fiery love scene with Geena Davis) secured him as a genuine sex symbol (and wore out the rewind button on many a VCR).
Pitt’s next few films failed to boost his acting credibility and establish him as more than just a pretty face in Hollywood. He appeared in The Favor (1992) with Elizabeth McGovern, Tom CiCillo’s directorial debut, Johnny Suede (1992), and the unconvincing, half-animated Cool World (1992).
However, later that year, the Hollywood sunshine set the golden boy alight once more in Robert Redford’s 1992 film based on Norman McLean’s autobiography, A River Runs Through It. Pitt played the main character’s charismatic gambling, fly-fishing brother (looking remarkably like the young Robert Redford). Redford later admitted that he did not choose Pitt on the strength of his audition, rather, because “[he] had an inner conflict that was very interesting to me.” Pitt delivered a sparkling performance, skillfully depicting the character’s dangerous footing between overwhelming charm and reckless self-destructiveness.
In 1993, Pitt re-teamed with three-year girlfriend Lewis in Dominic Sela’s Kalifornia. Pitt played Early Grayce, a man who goes on a cross-country killing spree with his girlfriend. The film was deemed self-indulgently violent and nihilistic by many reviewers and did not do well in the box office. Pitt and Lewis broke up soon after filming, creating a publicity disaster.
Pitt proceeded to lighten his repertoire with a comedic performance as “Floyd,” a burnt-out hippie in Tony Scott’s True Romance, but his next major role came in the adaptation of Ann Rice’s Interview with the Vampire, alongside Tom Cruise. Rice initially expressed outrage at the casting choices, finding the two boyish, all-American film stars too rough for the subtle, slightly homoerotic overtones of the tale. “It’s like casting Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer,” she reportedly complained. However, after seeing the final film, Rice retracted her initial statements and filmed a short spot for the video version, endorsing the film. Caryn James of The New York Times reported, “the power of the film depends on Mr. Pitt’s rich and deeply affecting performance. Low-key and serene, he makes Louis convincing as a bereaved father, lover, even son.”
Pitt’s next few efforts secured his place as a Hollywood staple; still, many critics found his roles lacking in dimension. In 1994’s Legends of the Fall, an epic family melodrama, Pitt played Tristan, a stereotypical romantic hero with long, golden locks and a penchant for alternately selfish and self-sacrificing gestures. However, Pitt abruptly took a gritty turn as a detective on the trail of a serial killer in David Fincher’s disturbing and gory thriller, Seven. During filming, he met and began dating his then relatively unknown costar, Gwyneth Paltrow. Both claimed it was “love at first sight.” The two stayed together for two and a half years and were one of Hollywood’s most admired and celebrated couples. Then, in 1997, after a seven-month engagement, the couple split for unknown reasons.
In 1995, Pitt starred as a mental patient in Terry Gilliam’s psychological thriller Twelve Monkeys and won a Golden Globe for best supporting actor. He followed with another dark thriller, Sleepers (1996), and Alan J. Pakula’s Devil’s Own with Harrison Ford, before heading to Argentina to film Seven Years in Tibet, an ambitious, seventy million dollar project, which met disappointingly mixed reviews. Unfortunately, his next film, the three-hour plus Meet Joe Black, co-starring Anthony Hopkins, in which he played a very comely version of Death, also inspired little praise.
In 1999, after a brief hiatus from the Hollywood hot list, Pitt re-teamed with Seven director, David Fincher, to make Fight Club. The apocalyptic film, also starring Edward Norton, presents an unglamorous Pitt in a disturbing role as leader and recruiter of Fight Club, a bloody diversion for young professional males. Next up for Pitt was the British crime-caper Snatch (2001), costarring Benicio Del Toro and directed by Guy Ritchie. That same year, Pitt starred with Julia Roberts in the romantic comedy The Mexican, teamed with Robert Redford in the thriller Spy Game, and joined an A-list ensemble cast including Roberts, George Clooney, and Matt Damon in Steven Soderbergh’s remake of the Rat Pack heist caper Ocean’s Eleven. In 2004, he starred as the Greek hero Achilles in Warner Bros.’ blockbuster epic Troy. He will also be producing The Madman of Alcatraz, based on the true story of the psychiatrist who treated the infamous Robert “Birdman” Stroud.
A two-time winner of People magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” title (1995 and 2000), Pitt began dating Jennifer Aniston, star of the TV sitcom Friends, in 1998. Pitt and Aniston were married July 29, 2000, in Malibu, California. The couple announced their separation in January 2005 and divorced in October of that year. Soon after their separation, Pitt began dating actress Angelina Jolie. The couple had a baby girl, Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt, in May 2006.
Trivia:
Chosen by Empire magazine as one of the 100 Sexiest Stars in film history (#23). [1995]
Turned down a role as an astronaut in Apollo 13 (1995) to accept his role in Se7en (1995).
Posed for a campus calendar in college.
A girl went to Pitt’s Hollywood-area home shortly after midnight Jan. 7, 1999 and crawled in through an open window, dressed herself in his clothes and stayed for 10 hours before the alarm went off. Athena Rolando, 19, was ordered not to contact the actor and to stay 100 yards away from him for three years. [1999]
Ranked 32 in Empire (UK) magazine’s “The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time” list. [October 1997]
Mutally agrees to split with Gwyneth Paltrow. [June 1997]
Banned from entering China because of his role in Seven Years in Tibet (1997). [1997]
Chosen by “People” magazine as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world. [1997]
Engaged to actress Gwyneth Paltrow. [20 December 1996]
Donated $100,000 to the Discovery Center - a children’s learning museum in his hometown of Springfield, MO. [June 1996]
Chosen by People (USA) magazine as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world. [1996]
His first starring role in a feature film was in _Dark Side of the Sun, The (1997)_ , shot in pre-war Yugoslavia during the summer of 1988. As editing neared completion, civil war tore apart the region and much of the footage was lost. In 1996, after a five-year search, all of the lost footage was found and returned to producer Andjelo Arandjelovic, who is currently working on getting a distribution deal for the film. Pitt was paid $1,523 per week for seven weeks. He played a young American taken by his family to the Adriatic Sea to search for a cure for a rare skin disease.
Purchased a mansion is Southern California from the actress who portrays “Elvira” (Cassandra Peterson). He reportedly paid $1.7 million for the house. This mansion is filled with antiques and has a “vampirish” look to it. [1996]
Given title “Sexiest Man Alive” from People Magazine. After making Legends of the Fall (1994). [1994]
Lived in Southern California with friend Buck Simmonds, who starred with Pitt in the movie A River Runs Through It (1992). [May 1992]
Dated Juliette Lewis. They met when they filmed the NBC movie of the week entitled Too Young to Die? (1990) (TV). Pitt and Lewis also did the film Kalifornia (1993) together.
He was the third choice for the role of J.D. in Thelma & Louise (1991). William Baldwin, the first choice, left to star in Backdraft (1991).
He had to learn how to fly-cast for his role in A River Runs Through It (1992). He practiced on top of buildings in Hollywood. During these practices, Pitt would frequently hook himself in the back of his head.
Voted “Best Actor” by viewers of MTV’s “The Big Picture” (1988) in 1995.
Was a journalism major in college with an advertising focus.
Listed as one of twelve “Promising New Actors of 1991″ in John Willis’ Screen World, Vol. 43. [1991]
Graduated from Kickapoo High School in Springfield, Mo. [1982]
Dropped out of the University of Missouri School of Journalism (Columbia, Missouri).
In high school was a member of the golf, tennis, and swim teams.
Belonged to the Key Club and the Forensics Club in High School.
Listed in “People Weekly”s “Most Intriguing People” list. (December 25, 1995/January 1, 1996 issue)
He has a brother Doug, born in 1966 and a sister Julie, born in 1969.
Given title “Sexiest Man Alive” from People Magazine, Mr. Pitt was also People’s choice in 1995. [2000]
Was considered for the lead in The Matrix (1999).
Has his teeth capped.
Sued Damiani International, the company which created the wedding ring he gave Jennifer Aniston. According to Pitt, the ring was his design and was to be exclusive. The company has since been selling replicas and indicating Pitt/Aniston’s endorsement of the ring. [18 July 2001]
He and ex-wife Jennifer Aniston spent $1 million on their wedding. [2000]
He and ex-wife Jennifer Aniston reached a settlement with Damiani International. The pair claimed the company agreed to never reproduce their wedding rings, but it manufactured and sold “Brad and Jennifer” rings in 18 karat white or yellow gold, featuring either 12 or 13 diamonds and costing about $1,000 apiece. Under the settlement, Pitt will now design jewelry for Damiani that
Aniston will model in ads, and Damiani will stop selling the Pitt and Aniston copies. [11 January 2002]
For the last couple of years he has been the spokesman for Edwin Jeans ads in Japan. In 2001 he was also the face of the ads for a new Japanese canned coffee which is named Roots. Was replaced in these tv ads (2002) by Kevin Costner.
Studied acting with the late Roy London.
Spokesmodel of Toyota (Altis model). The commercial only aired in Asia. The car became so popular and resulted in strong sales figures (an almost 32% share of the total passenger car market for Toyota).
Has a home at Lake Mohawk in Sparta, New Jersey.
Auditioned for the role of “J.D.” in the 1988 cult classic film Heathers (1989) and, though he showed talent, casting directors thought him to be “too sweet” for the role, which later went to Christian Slater. He would later go on to a very similar role in the horror film Cutting Class (1989) in 1989.
Is mentioned by name in the Shania Twain hit song, “That Don’t Impress Me Much.”
He is a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. The Xi Xi chapter at The University of Missouri - Columbia.
After watching Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998), Pitt asked director Guy Ritchie if he could be in his next film. He couldn’t master the English accent, so Ritchie gave him the role of Mickey the One Punch Pikey.
When Brad Grey left for Paramount and after the divorce settlement with ex-wife Aniston, he now solely owns Plan B Entertainment.
Tore his Achilles tendon during the production of Troy (2004), in which he plays, ironically, Achilles. His injury caused the production of Ocean’s Twelve (2004) to be pushed back to April 2004. [2003]
Is the first man ever to be named “Sexiest Man Alive” twice by “People Magazine.” (1994 and 2000).
He and ex-wife Jennifer Aniston are campaigning in the United States to save “EastEnders” (1985) from being axed there [2003].
He is “in talks” to portray Marvel superhero Captain America, a role he says he has wanted to play for a long time. [Early 2004]
Showed his parents the “Chemical Burn” scene to convince them not to watch Fight Club (1999).
He had a mishap during the production of Troy (2004) - he tore his left achilles tendon.
Got into better shape and eventually gained over 20 pounds of muscle for Troy (2004).
He has appeared in three movies with the number seven in the title (Se7en (1995), Seven Years in Tibet (1997), and Sinbad:
Legend of the Seven Seas (2003)). He has also appeared in two movies with the number twelve in the title (Ocean’s Twelve (2004) and Twelve Monkeys (1995)).
He was ranked 6 on VH1’s “100 Hottest Hotties.”
His high school nickname was Brad the “Pitt-bull.”
He took Greek language lessons in secret to surprise his ex-wife Jennifer Aniston who is of Greek ancestry.
Voted 1 in Company magazine’s annual “100 Sexiest Men” poll, 2004.
His favorite movies are Planet of the Apes (1968) and Saturday Night Fever (1977).
Announced on January 7, 2005 that he and Jennifer Aniston are separating after 4 1/2 years of marriage.
Was listed as a potential nominee on the 2005 Razzie Award nominating ballot. He was listed as a suggestion in the Worst Actor category for his performance in the film Troy (2004). He did not receive a nomination, however.
Dianne Wiest is his favorite actress.
Premiere Magazine ranked him as #50 on a list of the Greatest Movie Stars of All Time in their Stars in Our Constellation feature (2005).
His best friend is Troy (2004) co-star Orlando Bloom.
A short while after completing A River Runs Through It (1992), he fled to Amsterdam where he briefly lived for three months by himself in a small basement apartment before returning to the USA to film Kalifornia (1993).
He and his ex-wife Jennifer Aniston met on a blind date, which was arranged by their agent
He and his Ocean’s Eleven (2001) / Ocean’s Twelve (2004) co- stars, Julia Roberts, George Clooney and Elliott Gould, all have guest-starred on the TV show “Friends” (1994), though not in the same episodes
Owns and plays Taylor Guitars
In 2001, Frank O. Gehry renovated the wine cellar in the home of Pitt and Jennifer Aniston. Pitt subsequently did an informal apprenticeship in Gehry’s Los Angeles office.
Owns the rights to the Hong Kong thriller Infernal Affairs (2002). He wanted it to be remade with him and Tom Cruise in the leading roles.
Visited over 100 orphans affected by HIV at a facility run by The Salvation Army in South Africa.
Is a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity.
Has appeared in 8 movies with a number in the Title - and only one of those movies uses an actual number rather than spelling the word out. Which is Se7en (1995), and that is a combination of the two - he has appeared in 1 movie with the number Zero in the title, 1 movie with the number Two in the title, 3 movies with the number Seven in the title, 1 movie with the number Eleven and 2 with the number Twelve.
Without being asked to, he made an appearance on MTV’s “Jackass” (2000) where he did stunts with the cast, dressed in an ape outfit.
Raised in Springfield Missouri and is an alumni of Kickapoo high school. Other Alumni include Adrienne Wilkinson and Jay Kenneth Johnson.
Broke his arm during the filming of Se7en (1995). The injury was written into the movie.
Adoptive father of Angelina Jolie’s children Maddox and Zahara.
Wanted to play Darcy in Bride & Prejudice (2004), but wasn’t able to work out the filming dates.
Daughter, Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt [b. 27 May 2006], in Namibia Africa, with girl friend Angelina Jolie
Ranked 15 on Premiere’s 2006 “Power 50″ list. Had ranked #31 in 2005.
Was considered for two roles which went to Johnny Depp: Ichabod Crane in Sleepy Hollow (1999) and Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005). Both were directed by Tim Burton.
The first commercial that Brad Pitt ever booked was through Matrix Talent Agency, Los Angeles. His agent was Linda Olhava, sister of film director Jody Lee Olhava.
Has Single Engine Land pilot license.
Occasionally fly a Cessna 208B Caravan belonging to Chivan Productions.
Initially, he didn’t want to appear in Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005), although it was he who gave the script for the movie to director Doug Liman.
Tore his Achilles tendon during the production of Troy (2004), in which he plays, ironically, Achilles who is wounded in the Trojan War by an arrow piercing his Achilles tendon. His injury caused the production of Ocean’s Twelve (2004) to be pushed back to April 2004. [2003].
Originally cast as Colin Sullivan in The Departed (2006), but later dropped out. He continued to produce the film under his (and his then wife Jennifer Aniston’s) production company, Plan B.
His first job was dancing in a chicken suit for a chicken restaurant.
March 2007 - he and girlfriend Angelina Jolie adopted a 3-year-old boy named Pax Thien from Vietnam.
Made a cameo appearance with Matt Damon for free in Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002) as a favor to Ocean’s Eleven (2001) costar and close friend George Clooney - the film was Clooney’s directorial debut.
Has been in 7 movies where the title contains the name of the character he plays: Johnny Suede (1991), Meet Joe Black (1998),
Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas (2003), Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005), The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007), The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) and Chad Schmidt (2008).
Considered for the role in “Crimson Tide” (1995) that went to Denzel Washington.
Moved with Angelina Jolie and their four children to New Orleans. [2007]
Voted 6 in Elle (France) Magazine’s “15 Sexiest Men” poll (June 2007).
Mentioned in the song High School Never Ends by Bowling for Soup, as “the quarterback”.
Was trained by renowned Hollywood Gun Coach Thell Reed, who has also trained such actors as: Val Kilmer, Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe, Sam Elliot, Girard Swan, Ben Foster and Kurt Russell.
He and Russell Crowe were director Ridley Scott’s first two choices for the lead in American Gangster (2007). Crowe was eventually cast in what was a challenging casting dilemma for Universal Pictures.
Quotes:
“Being married means I can break wind and eat ice cream in bed.”
“By the time this concert ends this evening, 30,000 Africans will have died because of extreme poverty. By this time tomorrow evening, another 30,000. This does not make sense.”
“Fame is a bitch, man.”
“Heartthrobs are a dime a dozen.”
“I believe you make your day. You make your life. So much of it is all perception, and this is the form that I built for myself. I have to accept it and work within those compounds, and it’s up to me.”
“I have a hard time with morals. All I know is what feels right, what’s more important to me is being honest about who you are. Morals I get a little hung up on.”
“I know when I go outside, there’ll be a van or two and they’ll probably follow us four out of seven days a week, trying to get something. But I’m just going across town and I know they’re just wasting their day, so it doesn’t bother me anymore.”
“I’d like to design something like a city or a museum. I want to do something hands on rather than just play golf which is the sport of the religious right.”
“I’m gonna design my own fleet of trailers. No! I’m gonna record an album like Jennifer Lopez. It’ll be an acoustic version of K.C. and the Sunshine Band. Then maybe I’ll design a line of clothes like Puff Daddy, but all in synthetic fur.”
“I’m one of those people you hate because of genetics. It is the truth.”
“Let us be the ones who say we do not accept that a child dies every three seconds simply because he does not have the drugs you and I have. Let us be the ones to say we are not satisfied that your place of birth determines your right to life. Let us be outraged, let us be loud, let us be bold.”
“Success is a beast. And it actually puts the emphasis on the wrong thing. You get away with more instead of looking within.”
“You shouldn’t speak until you know what you’re talking about. That’s why I get uncomfortable with interviews. Reporters ask me what I feel China should do about Tibet. Who cares what I think China should do? They hand me a script. I’m a grown man who puts on makeup.”
Filmography:
Brad Pitt Filmography as an Actor:
2009 Dallas Buyer’s Club
2008 Chad Schmidt
2008 Dirty Tricks
2008 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
2008 State of Play
2008 Burn After Reading
2007 Ocean’s Thirteen
2007 The Assassination of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford
2006 Babel
2006 The Doctor, The Tornado & The Kentucky Kid
2005 Mr. and Mrs. Smith
2005 Special Thanks to Roy London
2004 Ocean’s Twelve
2004 Troy
2003 Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas
2001 Spy Game
2001 The Mexican
2001 Growing Up Grizzly
2001 Celebrities: Caught On Camera
2001 Ocean’s Eleven
2000 Snatch
1999 Fight Club
1998 Meet Joe Black
1997 The Devil’s Own
1997 Seven Years in Tibet
1996 Sleepers
1995 12 Monkeys
1995 Se7en
1994 Interview With the Vampire
1994 Filmmaking: Shadow Casting - The Making of “A River Runs Through It”
1994 Legends of the Fall
1994 The Favor
1993 Kalifornia
1993 True Romance
1992 Contact
1992 A River Runs Through It
1992 Johnny Suede
1992 Cool World
1991 Thelma & Louise
1990 Too Young to Die?
1989 Across the Tracks
1989 The Dark Side of the Sun
1989 Cutting Class
1989 Growing Pains: Feet of Clay
1989 The Image
1989 Happy Together
1988 A Stoning in Fulham County
1987 Growing Pains: Who’s Zoomin’ Who?
Fighting for Freedom: Revolution & Civil War
Brad Pitt Filmography as an Executive Producer:
2007 Year of the Dog
2005 God Grew Tired of Us
Brad Pitt Filmography as a Producer:
2008 Eat, Pray, Love
2008 The Time Traveler’s Wife
2007 The Assassination of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford
2007 Dirty Tricks
2007 A Mighty Heart
2006 The Departed
2006 Running With Scissors
Brad Pitt Awards:
Academy
1995 Best Supporting Actor Legends Of The Fall
Chicago Film Critics Circle
2006 Best Supporting Actor Babel
Golden Globe
2006 Best Supporting Actor Babel
1995 Best Supporting Actor 12 Monkeys
1993 Best Actor - Drama Legends of the Fall
Satellite Awards
2006 Best Supporting Actor Babel
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