Words by Brad Pitt has been a leading man for more than 30 years. Known early on for his looks, he has built a career of ambitious films as both an actor and a producer, winning Academy Awards in both roles.
Early life
William Bradley Pitt was born on Dec. 18, 1963, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and grew up in Springfield, Missouri. He studied journalism at the University of Missouri but left shortly before graduating and drove to Los Angeles to pursue acting.
Breakthrough
After small television roles, Pitt drew wide notice as a charming drifter in Ridley Scott’s “Thelma & Louise” (1991). He followed with Robert Redford’s “A River Runs Through It” (1992), “Interview with the Vampire” (1994) and “Legends of the Fall” (1994).
Star roles
Pitt starred with Morgan Freeman in David Fincher’s thriller “Se7en” (1995) and earned his first Oscar nomination for Terry Gilliam’s “12 Monkeys” (1995). He reunited with Fincher for “Fight Club” (1999), which became a cult classic, and joined George Clooney and Matt Damon in Steven Soderbergh’s “Ocean’s Eleven” (2001) and its sequels.
He also starred in “Troy,” “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” “Babel” and “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.” Fincher’s “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (2008) brought him a best actor nomination.
Plan B
Pitt co-founded the production company Plan B Entertainment, which has become one of Hollywood’s most respected producers. Plan B’s films include “The Departed” (2006), “12 Years a Slave” (2013), which won the Academy Award for best picture and gave Pitt an Oscar as a producer, “Selma,” “The Big Short” and “Moonlight” (2016), another best picture winner.
Later career
Pitt played baseball executive Billy Beane in “Moneyball” (2011), earning nominations for acting and producing. He starred in Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds” (2009) and the World War II tank drama “Fury” (2014).
In Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” (2019), Pitt played stuntman Cliff Booth opposite Leonardo DiCaprio and won the Academy Award for best supporting actor. Later films include “Ad Astra,” “Bullet Train,” “Babylon” and “F1” (2025), a Formula One drama filmed at real Grand Prix races, which became one of the biggest hits of his career.
Make It Right
After Hurricane Katrina, Pitt founded the Make It Right Foundation to build affordable, environmentally friendly homes in New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward. The project built more than 100 homes, though it later faced lawsuits over construction defects.
Architecture and art
Pitt has long been passionate about architecture and design, collaborating with architects and pursuing sculpture. He has also owned a winery in Provence, Château Miraval, whose rosé became widely known.
Personal life
Pitt has six children. He was previously married to Jennifer Aniston and to Angelina Jolie. He has spoken publicly about getting sober and the value of support groups.
Business ventures
Beyond film, Pitt launched a gender-neutral skincare brand, Le Domaine, in 2022, developed with ingredients from grapes grown in southern France. He has also been involved in fashion and design collaborations.
Working with great directors
Pitt’s filmography reads like a list of the most influential directors of his era: Ridley Scott, Robert Redford, David Fincher, Terry Gilliam, Steven Soderbergh, Quentin Tarantino, Terrence Malick, Alejandro González Iñárritu and the Coen brothers, with whom he made “Burn After Reading.” Malick’s “The Tree of Life” (2011), in which Pitt played a stern 1950s father, won the Palme d’Or at Cannes. He has said he learns something new from each director, which helps explain his steady pursuit of challenging projects.
Legacy
Pitt is one of the few stars to remain a major box office draw for three decades while also shaping the industry behind the scenes. Plan B’s best picture winners and his own Oscar-winning performance show the range of his influence.
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