Top 50 Unknown and Interesting Facts about Brad Pitt

William Bradley Pitt is a renowned American actor and film producer. With an illustrious career spanning decades, Pitt has been recognized with numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award. He is one of Hollywood’s most influential celebrities, having made multiple appearances on Forbes’ Celebrity 100 from 2006 to 2008, and the Time 100 list in 2007.

This blog uncovers 50 unknown and interesting facts about Brad Pitt, covering everything from his childhood to his philanthropic endeavors.

1. Early Life in Missouri

Brad Pitt was born as William Bradley Pitt on December 18, 1963, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and grew up in Springfield, Missouri. His father ran a trucking company, while his mother was a school counselor.

2. High School Activities

During high school, Pitt was involved in several extracurricular activities. He participated in debate, student government, and various sports, including swimming, tennis, and golf.

3. Nickname in High School

In high school, Pitt’s classmates gave him the nickname “Brad the Pit-Bull” because of his tough and determined demeanor.

4. Originally Majored in Journalism

Before pursuing acting, Pitt enrolled at the University of Missouri, where he majored in journalism and advertising. He was only two weeks away from graduating when he decided to move to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting.

5. Worked as a Limo Driver

After moving to Los Angeles, Pitt worked several odd jobs to support himself while auditioning. One of his jobs was driving limousines for strippers.

6. First Acting Gig

Brad Pitt’s first professional acting gig was in a commercial for Pringles in the late 1980s. It wasn’t the most glamorous start, but it got him noticed.

7. Early TV Roles

Before making it big in movies, Pitt appeared in TV shows like Dallas (1987) and 21 Jump Street (1988), gaining small but significant roles.

8. Breakthrough Role

Pitt’s breakthrough came in 1991 when he played a seductive hitchhiker in Thelma & Louise. Though it was a brief role, his performance left a lasting impression.

9. Turned Down Major Roles

Brad Pitt famously turned down roles in some major films, including The Matrix (1999) and Apollo 13 (1995). The roles eventually went to Keanu Reeves and Tom Hanks, respectively.

10. Biggest Box Office Hit

His role in World War Z (2013) became one of the biggest box office hits of his career, grossing over $540 million worldwide.

11. Multiple Academy Award Nominations

Pitt has been nominated for the Academy Awards several times. He finally won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019).

12. First Oscar Win as a Producer

Although he won an acting Oscar in 2020, Pitt’s first Academy Award came as a producer for the film 12 Years a Slave (2013), which won Best Picture.

13. Passion for Architecture

Brad Pitt is passionate about architecture and has even worked alongside renowned architects like Frank Gehry. He founded the Make It Right Foundation to rebuild homes in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, focusing on sustainable and affordable housing.

14. Loves Motorcycles

Pitt has a passion for motorcycles and owns a large collection, including several custom-made bikes. He is often seen riding around Los Angeles and other locations on two wheels.

15. He’s a Pilot

In addition to his love for motorcycles, Brad Pitt is also a licensed pilot. He earned his pilot’s license in 2012 and enjoys flying as a hobby.

16. Learning to Play Guitar

Brad Pitt started learning to play the guitar in his 50s. He is known for immersing himself in new skills and enjoys playing during his downtime.

17. Struggles with Alcohol

Pitt has been open about his struggles with alcohol. In 2016, after his high-profile divorce from Angelina Jolie, he sought treatment for alcohol addiction and has since embraced sobriety.

18. Involved in Multiple Humanitarian Projects

In addition to his work with the Make It Right Foundation, Pitt has been involved in numerous other humanitarian projects. He co-founded the Jolie-Pitt Foundation, which has donated millions to various causes.

19. Buddhist Influence

Though he hasn’t claimed any specific religious affiliation, Brad Pitt has expressed interest in Buddhism, especially during his time with Angelina Jolie, who is known for her interest in the religion.

20. Fluent in French

While not completely fluent, Brad Pitt has been learning French for years, especially during his relationship with Angelina Jolie, who owns a home in France.

21. Publicly Supports Same-Sex Marriage

Pitt has been a vocal advocate for same-sex marriage and has donated substantial amounts to LGBTQ+ causes. He once famously said he wouldn’t marry until everyone had the right to marry.

22. Missouri Boy at Heart

Despite his glamorous Hollywood life, Pitt has often stated that he still identifies as a “Missouri boy” and fondly remembers his childhood in the Midwest.

23. Art Collector

Pitt has an extensive art collection, including works by artists like Banksy and Neo Rauch. He’s been collecting for years and is deeply interested in contemporary art.

24. Passion for Wine

In 2011, Pitt and Angelina Jolie purchased a vineyard in France, Château Miraval, where they produced award-winning wines, including rosé. Even after their split, Pitt remains involved in the business.

25. Studied Acting under a Famous Coach

In his early years in Los Angeles, Brad Pitt studied acting under Roy London, a renowned acting coach who also taught stars like Geena Davis and Sharon Stone.

26. Injury on Set

While filming Se7en (1995), Brad Pitt accidentally broke his arm during a chase scene. The injury was written into the script to accommodate his cast.

27. Animal Lover

Pitt has a deep love for animals and has owned multiple dogs over the years. He’s also an advocate for animal rights.

28. Almost Played Neo in The Matrix

Brad Pitt was considered for the role of Neo in The Matrix (1999) before Keanu Reeves was cast. Pitt turned down the role, saying he couldn’t see himself in the character.

29. Working with Quentin Tarantino

Pitt has worked with director Quentin Tarantino on two major projects: Inglourious Basterds (2009) and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019). Both collaborations earned critical acclaim, and he won an Oscar for the latter.

30. Devoted Father

Pitt is the father of six children: three biological and three adopted. He’s known to be a dedicated and involved father despite his busy schedule.

31. Trained in Martial Arts

For his role in Fight Club (1999), Pitt trained extensively in martial arts and boxing. His physical transformation for the role became one of the most iconic in his career.

32. Vegetarian Lifestyle

Though not strictly vegan or vegetarian, Brad Pitt has followed a plant-based diet for extended periods, especially during his relationship with Angelina Jolie, who also leaned toward plant-based eating.

33. Turned Down Almost Famous

Brad Pitt was originally cast as the lead in Almost Famous (2000), but he dropped out due to creative differences. The role eventually went to Billy Crudup.

34. Made a Guest Appearance on Friends

In 2001, Brad Pitt guest-starred on Friends, playing a former classmate of Ross and Rachel. At the time, Pitt was married to Jennifer Aniston, and the episode remains one of the most memorable cameos in the show’s history.

35. Enjoys Sculpting

In his free time, Pitt enjoys sculpting. He has even collaborated with friends in the art world and has a private studio where he works on his sculptures.

36. Endured Years of Therapy

Pitt has openly discussed his experience with therapy. After his public divorce from Angelina Jolie, he sought therapy to help him deal with personal issues and to become a better father.

37. Loves LEGO

Brad Pitt has a playful side, and one of his hobbies includes building with LEGO. He’s been spotted buying LEGO sets for himself and enjoys constructing complex models.

38. Obsessed with Puzzles

Another lesser-known hobby of Brad Pitt is his love for puzzles. He enjoys working on complex puzzles as a way to relax and clear his mind.

39. Fan of the TV Show ‘The Office’

Pitt is a big fan of the American version of The Office. He has said that watching the show helped him unwind during stressful times.

40. Had His Wisdom Teeth Removed for a Role

To play the role of a handsome young drifter in Thelma & Louise (1991), Brad Pitt had his wisdom teeth removed to achieve a more youthful look.

41. Dislikes Paparazzi

While most celebrities have a love-hate relationship with the paparazzi, Pitt has openly expressed his disdain for the invasive nature of celebrity photography, especially when it comes to his children.

42. Social Media-Shy

Unlike many celebrities, Brad Pitt doesn’t maintain a public social media presence. He’s largely stayed away from platforms like Instagram and Twitter, preferring to keep his personal life private.

43. Pitt as a Producer

Pitt co-founded Plan B Entertainment in 2001 with Jennifer Aniston and Brad Grey. The production company has since produced several award-winning films, including The Departed (2006) and Moonlight (2016).

44. Almost Played Jason Bourne

Brad Pitt was considered for the role of Jason Bourne in The Bourne Identity (2002) before Matt Damon was cast. Pitt passed on the project to star in Spy Game (2001) instead.

45. Collector of Classic Watches

Brad Pitt is a watch aficionado and owns a collection of vintage and luxury timepieces. He’s been seen wearing brands like Rolex and Patek Philippe at red-carpet events.

46. Took Up Pottery During Lockdown

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Brad Pitt took up pottery as a way to pass the time. He found the activity calming and spent hours working on new creations.

47. Met His Idol Robert Redford

Brad Pitt has always admired actor Robert Redford. The two eventually worked together in A River Runs Through It (1992), and Redford remains a mentor to Pitt.

48. Suffers from Prosopagnosia

Pitt has admitted to suffering from prosopagnosia, also known as face blindness, a condition that makes it difficult to recognize people’s faces.

49. Lost Two Major Roles to Tom Cruise

Brad Pitt auditioned for roles in Interview with the Vampire (1994) and Top Gun (1986), both of which ultimately went to Tom Cruise.

50. Passion for the Environment

In addition to his philanthropic efforts, Pitt is an environmental advocate. He’s invested in green energy projects and supported sustainability initiatives, including eco-friendly housing developments.