Everyone around the world knows Brad Pitt as the heartthrob actor who has starred in huge films such as Fight Club, Troy, World War Z, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and Ocean’s Eleven, but isn’t there more to him than that? We certainly think so, which is why we’ve discovered 10 of the most interesting true facts about one of the greatest actors of our time.
10. He chose his middle name
Born on December 18th, 1963, the actor’s full name is actually William Bradley Pitt. While it’s uncertain why he chose ‘Brad Pitt’ as his stage name, it could be simply because it sounds short and sweet.
9. Acting wasn’t his first job
Before being a star name in Hollywood, Pitt drove limousines, moved refrigerators to and from apartments, and even dressed as a giant chicken for a restaurant called ‘El Pollo Loco’.
8. He has a passion for watches
Pitt loves to collect vintage watches, and is so enthusiastic about timepieces that he joined Swiss brand Breitling as an ambassador. Along with fellow actors Charlize Theron and Adam Driver, Pitt shot a commercial for Breitling and routinely travels the world to endorse the company, only recently returning from a promotional trip to China. Breitling is already a popular brand online with regards to watch sales, but one has to wonder how big the company can get after signing Brad Pitt.
7. Difficulty speaking in an English accent
When Pitt was cast in the 2000 crime film, Snatch, he was supposed to use an English accent for his character, Mickey. However, he struggled with the accent itself, so he and director Guy Ritchie switched things up and gave Pitt an almost indecipherable Irish accent. A joke runs throughout the film that no one can fully understand the way his character speaks!
6. Life imitates art?
A year before Pitt was scheduled to play the famous Greek hero, Achilles, in the big budget epic Troy, he actually tore his own Achilles tendon! Thankfully, Pitt recovered before filming started.
5. Powerful, rich couple
Although his split with then-wife Angelina Jolie sent shockwaves around the world in 2016, the two actually made it to number five on Forbes’ Top Earning Couples list. Pitt and Jolie made a combined $34 million in one year.
4. No longer banned in China
For almost 20 years, Brad Pitt was actually banned from visiting China. The ban arose because of Pitt’s involvement with the film, Seven Years in Tibet, which the Chinese government pronounced as depicting the country’s rule of Tibet as too cruel and harsh.
3. Don’t watch!
Funnily enough, Pitt actually asked his parents not to watch one of his films. He said there were too many intense and graphic scenes in Fight Club that it wouldn’t be suitable for them!
2. Dancing and monkeys?
Pitt has stated that his two favorite films are Saturday Night Fever (1977) and Planet of the Apes (1968).
1. A fan of Jackass
MTV’s reality stunt show, Jackass, was a massive hit around the world in the early 2000s, but it wasn’t just teenagers who loved the show! Pitt was such a big fan that he asked the cast to be in an episode. He eventually filmed a scene but was dressed in an ape suit so that he wouldn’t be recognized!