Brad Pitt is one of Hollywood’s most recognizable actors and film producers. Born William Bradley Pitt on December 18, 1963, he built an international career through a combination of leading roles, complex dramatic performances, action films, crime thrillers, romantic dramas, and independent cinema. He has also become an influential producer through his production company, Plan B Entertainment.
Pitt first attracted widespread attention as J.D., the charismatic drifter in Thelma & Louise (1991). He subsequently starred in acclaimed films such as A River Runs Through It (1992), Legends of the Fall (1994), Se7en (1995), 12 Monkeys (1995), Fight Club (1999), Snatch (2000), Troy (2004), Inglourious Basterds (2009), Moneyball (2011), World War Z (2013), and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019).
His career spans more than three decades, and his work behind the camera has helped bring numerous award-winning films to audiences.
Brad Pitt at a glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | William Bradley Pitt |
| Date of birth | December 18, 1963 |
| Birthplace | Shawnee, Oklahoma, United States |
| Profession | Actor and film producer |
| Active years | 1987–present |
| Production company | Plan B Entertainment |
| Breakthrough film | Thelma & Louise (1991) |
| Major award | Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor |
| Signature films | Fight Club, Se7en, Troy, Inglourious Basterds |
| Recent major film | F1: The Movie (2025) |
Complete Brad Pitt movie filmography
The following filmography is organized chronologically and focuses on his acting credits. It includes notable supporting performances, voice roles, cameos, and short films. Production credits are discussed separately because Pitt has produced many films in which he does not appear as an actor.
1980s: Early film appearances
1987
- Hunk — uncredited appearance
- No Man’s Land — uncredited appearance
- Less Than Zero — uncredited appearance
- No Way Out — uncredited appearance
1988
– The Dark Side of the Sun — Rick
1989
- Cutting Class — Dwight Ingalls
- Happy Together — Brian
These early appearances gave Pitt experience in film and helped establish his career before his breakthrough in the early 1990s.
1990–1994: Breakthrough and rising stardom
4
| Year | Movie | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Too Young to Die? | Billy Canton |
| 1991 | Across the Tracks | Joe Maloney |
| 1991 | Thelma & Louise | J.D. |
| 1992 | Cool World | Detective Frank Harris |
| 1992 | A River Runs Through It | Paul Maclean |
| 1992 | Johnny Suede | Johnny Suede |
| 1993 | Kalifornia | Early Grayce |
| 1993 | True Romance | Floyd |
| 1994 | The Favor | Elliott |
| 1994 | Interview with the Vampire | Louis de Pointe du Lac |
| 1994 | Legends of the Fall | Tristan Ludlow |
Career highlight: Thelma & Louise brought Pitt considerable attention, while Interview with the Vampire and Legends of the Fall established him as a major leading man.
1995–1999: Critical recognition and cult classics
4
| Year | Movie | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Se7en | Detective David Mills |
| 1995 | 12 Monkeys | Jeffrey Goines |
| 1996 | Sleepers | Michael Sullivan |
| 1997 | The Devil’s Own | Rory Devaney |
| 1997 | Seven Years in Tibet | Heinrich Harrer |
| 1998 | Meet Joe Black | Joe Black |
| 1999 | Fight Club | Tyler Durden |
| 1999 | Being John Malkovich | Himself, uncredited |
Pitt received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for 12 Monkeys. His performance as Tyler Durden in Fight Club, directed by David Fincher, later became one of the defining roles of his career.
2000–2007: Blockbusters and international success
5
| Year | Movie | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Snatch | Mickey O’Neil |
| 2001 | The Mexican | Jerry Welbach |
| 2001 | Spy Game | Tom Bishop |
| 2001 | Ocean’s Eleven | Rusty Ryan |
| 2002 | Full Frontal | Brad Pitt / himself |
| 2002 | Confessions of a Dangerous Mind | Bachelor Brad, cameo |
| 2003 | Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas | Sinbad, voice |
| 2004 | Troy | Achilles |
| 2004 | Ocean’s Twelve | Rusty Ryan |
| 2005 | Mr. & Mrs. Smith | John Smith |
| 2006 | Babel | Richard Jones |
| 2006 | The Departed | Producer |
| 2007 | Ocean’s Thirteen | Rusty Ryan |
| 2007 | The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford | Jesse James |
This period showcased Pitt’s versatility. He combined large-scale historical epics such as Troy with crime comedies, romantic action films, and ensemble productions. Babel also demonstrated his willingness to take part in internationally oriented dramatic cinema.
2008–2014: Award-winning performances and ambitious projects
5
| Year | Movie | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Burn After Reading | Chad Feldheimer |
| 2008 | The Curious Case of Benjamin Button | Benjamin Button |
| 2009 | Inglourious Basterds | Lieutenant Aldo Raine |
| 2010 | Megamind | Metro Man, voice |
| 2010 | Eat Pray Love | Producer |
| 2011 | The Tree of Life | Mr. O’Brien |
| 2011 | Moneyball | Billy Beane |
| 2011 | Happy Feet Two | Will the Krill, voice |
| 2012 | Killing Them Softly | Jackie Cogan |
| 2012 | World War Z — development and production period | Producer |
| 2013 | World War Z | Gerry Lane |
| 2013 | 12 Years a Slave | Samuel Bass |
| 2013 | The Counselor | Westray |
| 2014 | Fury | Don ‘Wardaddy’ Collier |
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Moneyball earned Pitt Academy Award nominations for Best Actor. He also starred in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds and led the worldwide zombie thriller World War Z. His performance in 12 Years a Slave was part of a film that won the Academy Award for Best Picture; Pitt was also one of its producers.
2015–2019: Dramatic roles and acclaimed filmmaking
5
| Year | Movie | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | By the Sea | Roland |
| 2015 | The Big Short | Ben Rickert |
| 2015 | The Audition | Himself, short film |
| 2016 | Allied | Max Vatan |
| 2016 | Voyage of Time: The IMAX Experience | Narrator, voice |
| 2017 | War Machine | General Glen McMahon |
| 2018 | Deadpool 2 | Vanisher, cameo |
| 2018 | Once Upon a Deadpool | Vanisher |
| 2019 | Ad Astra | Roy McBride |
| 2019 | Once Upon a Time in Hollywood | Cliff Booth |
Career highlight: Pitt won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for playing Cliff Booth in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019). His work as a producer also continued to expand through Plan B Entertainment, including films made by other directors and casts.
2020–2026: Recent films and new projects
4
| Year | Movie | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Irresistible | Producer |
| 2022 | The Lost City | Jack Trainer |
| 2022 | Bullet Train | Ladybug |
| 2022 | Babylon | Jack Conrad |
| 2024 | IF | Keith, voice |
| 2024 | Wolfs | Pam’s Man |
| 2024 | The Trainer | Himself / appearance |
| 2025 | F1: The Movie | Sonny Hayes |
| 2025 | Mercedes-AMG: Drift of a Lifetime | Himself, short film |
| 2026 | Heart of the Beast | James Belmont |
| 2026 | The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth | Cliff Booth |
The 2025 racing drama F1: The Movie introduced Pitt to a new generation of motorsport-focused audiences. In the film, he plays Sonny Hayes, a veteran driver returning to Formula One competition.
The two 2026 titles, Heart of the Beast and The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth, are listed in current filmography databases, although release status and dates can vary by source. The latter continues the story of his Once Upon a Time in Hollywood character.
Brad Pitt’s most famous movies
1. Fight Club (1999)
Genre: Psychological thriller
Pitt plays Tyler Durden, an enigmatic figure who helps a disillusioned office worker establish an underground fight club. The film became a major cult classic for its themes of identity, consumerism, and alienation.
2. Se7en (1995)
Genre: Crime thriller
Pitt stars as Detective David Mills alongside Morgan Freeman. The investigation into a serial killer’s crimes leads to one of modern cinema’s most discussed endings.
3. Troy (2004)
Genre: Historical epic / action
Pitt portrays Achilles in the large-scale adaptation of stories surrounding the Trojan War, bringing a mythological warrior to the screen.
4. Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Genre: War / alternate history
As Lieutenant Aldo Raine, Pitt leads a group of soldiers on a dangerous mission in Nazi-occupied Europe in Quentin Tarantino’s alternate-history war film.
5. Moneyball (2011)
Genre: Sports drama
Pitt plays Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane, whose data-driven approach challenges traditional baseball scouting. The performance earned him an Academy Award nomination.
6. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)
Genre: Comedy-drama
Pitt’s portrayal of stuntman Cliff Booth earned him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
7. F1: The Movie (2025)
Genre: Sports drama / action
Pitt plays Sonny Hayes, a racing veteran who returns to Formula One and teams up with a younger driver. The film features real racing venues and Formula One personalities.
Brad Pitt’s television career
Although Pitt is best known for movies, he appeared in television productions early in his career and later made guest appearances in comedy series.
| Year | Television show | Appearance |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Another World | Early television role |
| 1987 | Growing Pains | Jeff |
| 1988 | Dallas | Randy |
| 1989 | 21 Jump Street | Peter |
| 1990 | Glory Days | Walker Lovejoy |
| 1990 | Freddy’s Nightmares | Rick |
| 1992 | The Image | TV movie |
| 1994 | Friends | Will Colbert |
| 2001 | King of the Hill | Patch Boomhauer, voice |
His 2001 appearance on Friends is particularly memorable. He played Will Colbert, a former schoolmate of Ross and Monica Geller who harbors a grudge against Rachel. The episode is known for its Thanksgiving setting and guest performance. Television credit lists may differ in how they count pilots, television films, and appearances.
Brad Pitt as a film producer
Pitt’s achievements extend beyond acting. Through Plan B Entertainment, he has helped develop and produce films across drama, historical cinema, comedy, and independent filmmaking.
Notable production credits include:
| Year | Film | Production significance |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | The Departed | Crime drama; Best Picture winner |
| 2007 | A Mighty Heart | Drama based on a journalist’s story |
| 2011 | The Tree of Life | Acclaimed philosophical drama |
| 2013 | 12 Years a Slave | Historical drama; Best Picture winner |
| 2015 | The Big Short | Financial crisis drama |
| 2016 | Moonlight | Independent drama; Best Picture winner |
| 2018 | If Beale Street Could Talk | Romantic drama |
| 2019 | The King | Historical drama |
| 2020 | Minari | Family drama |
| 2022 | Women Talking | Drama |
| 2024 | Nickel Boys | Historical drama |
| 2025 | Mickey 17 | Science-fiction film |
These are selected examples rather than a complete list of his producer and executive-producer credits.
Awards and nominations
Brad Pitt has received major recognition for both acting and producing.
- Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2020 ceremony).
- Academy Award for Best Picture: as a producer of 12 Years a Slave (2014 ceremony).
- Academy Award nominations for acting: 12 Monkeys, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and Moneyball, among other recognized performances.
- Golden Globe recognition: including wins for 12 Monkeys and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
- BAFTA recognition: for acting and producing, including 12 Years a Slave and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
Award totals depend on whether a list counts nominations, individual awards, or awards shared with a film’s production team.
Upcoming Brad Pitt movies
The following projects have been listed in film-industry databases. Their release dates and production statuses may change.
| Project | Reported role | Status reported in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| The Riders | Fred Scully | Post-production |
| Ocean’s 14 | Rusty Ryan | Pre-production |
| Land of Opportunity | Not confirmed in the cited listing | In development |
| World War Z 2 | Producer | Development listing |
The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth is also listed as a 2026 project, with Pitt returning as Cliff Booth. For the latest status, consult the IMDb Brad Pitt filmography.
Frequently asked questions
What was Brad Pitt’s first movie?
Pitt’s early film appearances date to 1987, including uncredited roles in Hunk, No Man’s Land, Less Than Zero, and No Way Out. The Dark Side of the Sun (1988) was among his earliest leading roles.
What made Brad Pitt famous?
His performance as J.D. in Thelma & Louise (1991) was a major breakthrough. He became an international star through films such as Interview with the Vampire, Legends of the Fall, Se7en, and Fight Club.
Has Brad Pitt won an Oscar?
Yes. He won Best Supporting Actor for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and shared the Best Picture award as a producer of 12 Years a Slave.
What is Brad Pitt’s latest major movie?
F1: The Movie (2025) is his latest widely released major feature among the titles covered here. Film databases also list 2026 projects, including Heart of the Beast and The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth.
What is Brad Pitt’s most famous role?
There is no single objective answer. Tyler Durden in Fight Club, Detective David Mills in Se7en, Achilles in Troy, and Cliff Booth in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood are among his most widely recognized roles.
Brad Pitt’s filmography reflects a career built on variety rather than a single screen persona. He has played romantic leads, historical warriors, detectives, soldiers, astronauts, stuntmen, and unconventional antiheroes. His transition from a supporting actor in the late 1980s to an award-winning leading man and influential producer demonstrates his continuing role in contemporary cinema.
For viewers exploring his work, Thelma & Louise, Se7en, Fight Club, Snatch, Troy, Inglourious Basterds, Moneyball, The Big Short, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and F1: The Movie offer a broad introduction to the different phases of his career.
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