From humble beginnings to becoming one of Hollywood’s most celebrated icons, discover the story of Brad Pitt.
Twenty years ago, a guy named Brad Pitt rolled into Hollywood, probably wearing sunglasses and carrying dreams bigger than the Golden Gate Bridge.
Fast forward to today, and he’s not just a Hollywood A-lister; he’s a global icon.
But it wasn’t just his stunning good looks that got him here.
It was a potent mix of ambition, talent, and a knack for switching effortlessly between acting and producing that forged a career designed to withstand the test of time.
And even as he’s donned more of a producer’s hat lately, his name still sends ripples through the entertainment world.
Besides being everyone’s favorite Hollywood heartthrob, he’s also a collector of awards.
The guy’s got nominations for starring in blockbuster films coming out of his ears, and with those nominations came big paychecks.
Now, let’s focus on how he went from being a small-town boy to Tinseltown royalty.
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Brad’s Hollywood Odyssey
Before he was the heartthrob who made our hearts flutter, Brad Pitt was a kid from Shawnee, Oklahoma, born in 1963.
He grew up in Springfield, Missouri, in a conservative household with his dad, Bill Pitt, the owner of a trucking company, and his mom, Jane Pitt, a family counselor.
But before he tasted the glitz and glam of Hollywood, this Oscar-winning actor’s first bite of California life was, well, a bit unglamorous.
He dressed up as a chicken for an advertising gig.
Yes, you read that right – Brad Pitt, the man who’d later grace countless magazine covers as the epitome of cool, once waddled around as a chicken mascot.
After he hit the sunny streets of LA, Brad juggled acting classes with a gig as a limo driver, and in just seven months, he had an agent and acting gigs under his belt.
That included soap operas like Another World in 1987 and a double dose of Growing Pains in 1987 and 1989, playing two different characters.
But it was his role as a gambling, fly-fishing enthusiast in Robert Redford’s 1992 film, A River Runs Through It, that earned him respect for his acting chops in Hollywood.
The Peak of Stardom
The big turning point came when he snagged the lead role in Interview With the Vampire alongside Tom Cruise and a young Kirsten Dunst in 1994.
That same year, People magazine crowned him “Sexiest Man Alive.” And you know you’ve made it when you’re declared the sexiest human on the planet.
Brad Pitt didn’t just make a name; he made a fortune.
From a $4.5 million Heineken Super Bowl commercial to an array of award-winning performances in movies.
Troy, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, World War Z, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, he is considered to be one of the highest-paid actors in the industry.
But he didn’t stop at acting.
He rolled up his sleeves and started producing films. He co-founded Plan B Entertainment with his then-wife Jennifer Aniston in 2001.
By 2000, People declared him “Sexiest Man Alive” for the second time. It made him the first male to hold the title twice.
Life With Angelina Jolie
And let’s not forget his high-profile romance with Angelina Jolie, which began in 2005. It then culminated in a secret French wedding in 2014.
In 2014, Pitt won his first Oscar, not for acting, but for producing 12 Years a Slave under Plan B Entertainment.
In 2015, Pitt and Jolie starred together in By the Sea, a film she wrote and directed about a couple trying to mend their marriage in a French hotel.
He also produced The Big Short, earning another Oscar nomination for his producing prowess.
But in September 2016, Jolie filed for divorce, marking the end of a Hollywood power couple.
The Bottom Line
Today, Brad Pitt’s life serves as an inspiration for us all.
From chicken mascot to Hollywood legend, his journey reminds us to pursue our dreams relentlessly.
No matter how absurd they may seem at first.
Now, he has a net worth of $400 million and a string of high-priced real estate in his portfolio.
Pitt’s life is proof that you can achieve greatness if you’re willing to chase it with everything you’ve got.
So, there you have it – Brad Pitt’s meteoric rise to the red carpet.
It’s a Hollywood story for the ages, complete with drama, romance, and more awards than you can shake a golden statuette at.
Banner photo via Instagram @onceinhollywood.
