Born and raised in Oklahoma before moving to Missouri, Brad Pitt grew up with a distant fascination for Hollywood. As a young man, he enrolled at the University of Missouri, but just a few credits shy of graduating, Brad Pitt made a bold move—he packed his bags and headed west to California in the mid-1980s, chasing a dream of becoming an actor. His early days in Tinsel Town were humble, marked by uncredited roles, like his brief appearance in “Less Than Zero” (1987) and a guest spot on the popular series “21 Jump Street” (Fox 1987–1991).
Brad Pitt’s first leading role came in “The Dark Side of the Sun” (1988), though the film never really gained traction. Then came “Glory Days” (Fox 1990), a TV show where he played a central character—but it was canceled after only six episodes. Things started to shift in 1991 when Brad Pitt caught the attention of audiences and critics alike with his charismatic performance in Ridley Scott’s “Thelma & Louise.” That role opened doors, and soon after, he delivered another standout performance in “True Romance” (1993), a script penned by Quentin Tarantino.
Nearly ten years after leaving college, Brad Pitt finally broke into the mainstream in 1994—a big year that saw him starring in both “Interview with the Vampire” and “Legends of the Fall.” These performances cemented his status as a serious actor and a leading man. He kept the momentum going with powerful turns in David Fincher’s “Seven” (1995) and Terry Gilliam’s mind-bending “12 Monkeys” (1995). The latter earned Brad Pitt his first Academy Award nomination, this time for Best Supporting Actor—an achievement that signaled his arrival in Hollywood’s upper echelon.
Of course, not every project hit the mark. Films like “Seven Years in Tibet” (1997) and “Meet Joe Black” (1998) underperformed both critically and commercially, putting a temporary pause on his rising trajectory. But Brad Pitt wasn’t one to stay down for long. In 1999, he reunited with David Fincher for “Fight Club,” delivering an iconic performance as the anarchic Tyler Durden—a role that has since become legendary.
Around this time, Brad Pitt’s personal life also made headlines. He met Jennifer Aniston, and the two quickly became one of Hollywood’s most talked-about couples. They tied the knot in 2000, and even shared the screen when Brad Pitt earned an Emmy nomination for a guest appearance on her hit show, “Friends” (NBC 1994–2004). As the new millennium dawned, Brad Pitt remained a dominant box office presence, headlining major films such as Steven Soderbergh’s “Ocean’s Eleven” (2001) and its sequel “Ocean’s Twelve” (2004), the epic “Troy” (2004), and the action-packed “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” (2005).
It was during the filming of “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” that Brad Pitt began a relationship with co-star Angelina Jolie. Following his divorce from Aniston, Brad Pitt’s connection with Jolie deepened. Though they didn’t officially marry until 2014, they built a family together starting in 2005—Brad Pitt adopted Jolie’s children and later welcomed several more of their own.
By 2007, Brad Pitt was back in award season conversations. His haunting portrayal in “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” received widespread acclaim, paving the way for a Best Actor Oscar nomination for his transformative role in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (2008). A few years later, he earned another Best Actor nod for his nuanced performance as Billy Beane in “Moneyball” (2011)—a film he also produced, contributing to its Best Picture nomination.
Brad Pitt’s success behind the camera continued to grow. In 2013, he won the Academy Award for Best Picture as a producer of “12 Years a Slave”—a monumental achievement. Even as he racked up accolades off-screen, Brad Pitt remained a bankable star, proving it with the global hit “World War Z” (2013).
After his separation from Angelina Jolie in 2016, Brad Pitt appeared in more supporting or cameo roles, stepping back from the spotlight for a while. But 2019 marked a strong comeback. He starred alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in Quentin Tarantino’s nostalgic “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” and delivered a quiet, introspective performance in the space drama “Ad Astra”—both showcasing the depth and range that have defined Brad Pitt’s enduring career.
When it comes to Brad Pitt’s filmography, fans and critics often look at the highs and lows of his career. Now, if we’re talking about Brad Pitt’s most acclaimed performance, many might be surprised to learn that his highest rated movie is actually Big Men from 2013. It’s a documentary that showcases deep storytelling and global issues, and while Brad Pitt wasn’t the central figure on screen, his involvement as a producer really elevated the project. People tend to forget that Brad Pitt also shines behind the scenes, not just in front of the camera.
On the flip side, when we consider Brad Pitt’s lowest rated film, the spotlight turns to Cool World, released back in 1992. This animated-live action hybrid didn’t quite hit the mark with audiences or critics, and it’s often cited as one of the weaker entries in Brad Pitt’s diverse body of work. Still, even in less successful roles, Brad Pitt brought a certain charisma that kept viewers interested. So, whether it’s a critically praised production like Big Men or a box office miss like Cool World, Brad Pitt continues to be a fascinating presence in cinema.