| Brad Pitt |
Brad Pitt
Although Brad Pitt is first and foremost an actor, over the past few years, he’s gotten more press for his off-screen activities. His breakup with wife Jennifer Aniston and subsequent relationship with Angelina Jolie made headlines all over the world. However, as fascinating as his personal life may be, Brad Pitt’s journey to stardom is equally compelling.
Brad Pitt was born William Bradley Pitt on December 18, 1963 in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Shortly after he was born, the family moved to Springfield, Missouri. At Kickapoo High School, Brad played golf, basketball and tennis, and was a member of the school’s swim team, choir, drama club, and debate team. He also participated in school government.
Brad graduated in 1982, and attended the University of Missouri where he studied journalism and advertising. He was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity, and although he acted in some of the fraternity’s shows, seemed more interested in music than acting. But in 1986, with only two credits left to graduate and $325 in his pocket, he left school and headed for California.
Brad worked as a chauffeur, pool boy, and delivered appliances. He also donned a chicken suit and handed out cigarette samples for El Pollo Loco restaurant. At the same time, he studied acting with Roy London, and soon, the acting jobs started to develop. In 1987, he had small parts in Less Than Zero and No Man’s Land starring Charlie Sheen. Brad appeared on numerous TV shows, including Head of the Class, where he met Robin Givens, whom he dated for a while. He turned up on Growing Pains, thirtysomething, 21 Jump Street, Another World, and Freddy's Nightmare, andappeared on three episodes of Dallas, which led to a relationship with co-star
Shalane McCall.andappeared on three episodes of , which led to a relationship with co-star Shalane McCall.
Brad’s first supporting role was in Cutting Class. He began dating actress Keanu Reeve’s ex, Jill Schoelen. His first starring role was in 1988’s The Dark Side of the Sun, which was shot in Yugoslavia. Unfortunately, war broke out, and the footage was lost for nearly 10 years. But Brad Pitt was on a roll. He landed a role in a 1990 made-for-TV movie called Too Young to Die co-starring with Juliette Lewis. The two paired up off screen and their relationship lasted three years.
After a short stint on the TV show Glory Days, Brad landed a supporting role in 1991’s Thelma and Louise with Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon. More roles followed, including Robert Redford’s A River Runs Through It, Legends of the Fall with Anthony Hopkins, and Se7en in which he starred with Morgan Freeman, and Gwyneth Paltrow who became his off-screen lady as well. The couple was engaged, but broke up in 1997.
In 1995, Brad was nominated for his first Oscar for best supporting actor in Twelve Monkeys. More roles followed, including the 1997 epic, Seven Years in Tibet in which he starred with David Thewlis. Brad Pitt was now one the biggest stars in Hollywood, and was paid over 17 million dollars for Meet Joe Black in which he teamed up once again with Anthony Hopkins, and Fight Club with Edward Norton. But Pitt’s marriage to Friends’ Jennifer Aniston in 2000 elevated him even higher, and the Pitts quickly became Hollywood’s golden couple.
More movies followed, including Snatch and The Mexican, in which he starred with Julia Roberts. However, The Mexican was panned by the critics as was Spy Game, which followed. Fortunately, his inclusion in 2001’s Ocean’s 11, alongside George Clooney, propelled him back to the top of the Hollywood heap.
For the next three years, Brad Pitt all but disappeared. He returned in 2004 in Troy and Ocean’s 12. Then, in 2004, Brad teamed up with Angelina Jolie, on Mr. and Mrs. Smith. During filming, rumors were rampant that the co-stars were more than just friends. While they denied these rumors, Mrs. Pitt was not convinced, and in January 2005 she filed for a separation. The couple was divorced in October 2005.
Although Brad continued to deny any romantic relationship with Angelina, they were photographed together constantly. The rumors proved to be true, however, when, in 2006, Brad adopted her two children. On May 27, 2006, Angelina gave birth to their first child, Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt.
|
|
|
