Career Timeline of Brad Pitt: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Brad Pitt built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Brad Pitt is a highly acclaimed American actor and film producer with a career spanning over three decades. He has received numerous prestigious awards, including two Academy Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award. His films have collectively grossed over $9.3 billion worldwide, solidifying his position as a major figure in the film industry.
May 1987: Television Debut on Another World
In May 1987, Brad Pitt made his television debut with a two-episode role on the NBC soap opera Another World.
December 1987: Guest Appearance on Trial and Error
In December 1987, Brad Pitt had a guest appearance on the CBS sitcom Trial and Error, continuing to build his early acting career.
1989: Appearances in Films Happy Together and Cutting Class
In 1989, Brad Pitt appeared in a supporting role in the comedy Happy Together and had a featured role in the horror film Cutting Class, marking his early film appearances.
1990: Role in Too Young to Die?
In 1990, Brad Pitt played Billy Canton, a drug addict, in the NBC television movie Too Young to Die?, receiving critical acclaim for his performance.
1991: Role in Across the Tracks
In 1991, Brad Pitt appeared in the film Across the Tracks, portraying Joe Maloney, a high school runner.
1991: Recognition in Thelma & Louise
In 1991, Brad Pitt gained recognition as a cowboy hitchhiker in the road film Thelma & Louise, marking a significant step in his early career.
1991: Breakthrough Role in Thelma & Louise
In 1991, Brad Pitt gained wider recognition for his supporting role in Ridley Scott's Thelma & Louise, which helped define him as a sex symbol.
1992: Role in A River Runs Through It
In 1992, Brad Pitt played Paul Maclean in the biographical film A River Runs Through It, directed by Robert Redford, a performance that boosted his career.
1992: Starring in Johnny Suede and Cool World
In 1992, Brad Pitt starred in the films Johnny Suede and Cool World, though they did not significantly advance his career due to poor reviews and box office performance.
1993: Roles in Kalifornia and True Romance
In 1993, Brad Pitt reunited with Juliette Lewis in Kalifornia, playing a serial killer, and made a brief appearance in True Romance, winning a ShoWest Award for Male Star of Tomorrow.
1994: Role in Interview with the Vampire
In 1994, Brad Pitt portrayed Louis de Pointe du Lac in the horror film Interview with the Vampire, which was based on Anne Rice's 1976 novel of the same name.
1994: Starring in Legends of the Fall
In 1994, Brad Pitt starred in Legends of the Fall, receiving his first Golden Globe Award nomination for his portrayal of Tristan Ludlow.
1994: Starring in Legends of the Fall and Interview with the Vampire
In 1994, Brad Pitt starred in both the western Legends of the Fall and the horror film Interview with the Vampire, showcasing his versatility as an actor.
1995: Roles in Seven and 12 Monkeys
In 1995, Brad Pitt starred in the crime thriller Seven and the science fiction film 12 Monkeys, receiving critical acclaim and expanding his acting horizons. He also won a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor and received his first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for 12 Monkeys.
1995: Starring in Seven
In 1995, Brad Pitt starred in the crime thriller Seven, which was a critical and commercial success and further cemented his status as a leading man.
1995: Oscar Nomination for 12 Monkeys
In 1995, Brad Pitt was Oscar-nominated for his role in the science fiction drama 12 Monkeys.
1995: MTV Movie Awards for Interview with the Vampire
In 1995, Brad Pitt won two MTV Movie Awards for his performance in Interview with the Vampire, despite the film's mixed reception.
1996: Appearance in Sleepers
In 1996, Brad Pitt appeared in the legal drama Sleepers, based on Lorenzo Carcaterra's novel, receiving mixed reviews.
1997: Role in The Devil's Own
In 1997, Brad Pitt starred in The Devil's Own as an Irish Republican Army terrorist, requiring him to learn an Irish accent, which received mixed critical reception.
1997: Release of The Dark Side of the Sun
In 1997, The Dark Side of the Sun, a Yugoslavian–American co-production from 1988 where Brad Pitt played his first leading film role, was finally released after being shelved due to the Croatian War of Independence.
1998: Starring in Meet Joe Black
In 1998, Brad Pitt starred in the fantasy romance film Meet Joe Black, portraying a personification of death. His performance received mixed reviews.
1999: Fight Club premiere and role as Tyler Durden
In 1999, Brad Pitt portrayed Tyler Durden in Fight Club, a film adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk's novel. He prepared for the role with boxing, taekwondo, and grappling lessons and even had pieces of his front teeth removed. The film premiered at the Venice International Film Festival in 1999 and while critical opinion was divided, Pitt's performance was widely praised.
1999: Starring in Fight Club
In 1999, Brad Pitt starred in the cult film Fight Club, a movie that would become a defining role in his career.
2000: Pitt Co-Authors Architectural Book on the Blacker House
In 2000, Brad Pitt co-authored an architectural book on the Blacker House with the architects Thomas A. Heinz and Randell Makinson.
2000: Pitt in Snatch
In 2000, Brad Pitt starred as an Irish Traveller boxer in Guy Ritchie's gangster film, Snatch. While some reviewers were critical of the film, Pitt's performance was generally praised.
November 22, 2001: Guest appearance on Friends
On November 22, 2001, Brad Pitt made a guest appearance on the television series Friends, playing a character with a grudge against Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston).
December 2001: Starring in Ocean's Eleven
In December 2001, Brad Pitt played Rusty Ryan in the heist film Ocean's Eleven, a remake of the 1960 Rat Pack original.
2001: Co-founding Plan B Entertainment
In 2001, Brad Pitt co-founded the production company Plan B Entertainment, expanding his role in the film industry.
2001: Starring in Ocean's Eleven
In 2001, Brad Pitt starred in Steven Soderbergh's heist film Ocean's Eleven, achieving greater commercial success.
2001: Starring in The Mexican and Spy Game
In 2001, Brad Pitt starred opposite Julia Roberts in the romantic comedy The Mexican, which had mixed reviews but did well at the box office. Also in 2001, he played Tom Bishop in the Cold War thriller Spy Game.
February 2002: Appearances on MTV's Jackass
In February 2002, Brad Pitt appeared in two episodes of MTV's reality series Jackass, participating in stunts and a staged abduction.
2003: Voice-acting roles in Sinbad and King of the Hill
In 2003, Brad Pitt took on his first voice-acting roles, as the titular character in the animated film Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas and as Boomhauer's brother, Patch, in an episode of King of the Hill.
October 2004: Pitt Supports John Kerry and Stem-Cell Research
In October 2004, Brad Pitt visited the University of Missouri to encourage students to vote for John Kerry in the 2004 U.S. presidential election. Later that month, he publicly supported public funding for embryonic stem-cell research and endorsed Proposition 71, a California ballot initiative.
2004: Starring in Troy
In 2004, Brad Pitt cemented his leading man status by starring in the blockbuster historical epic Troy.
2004: Starring in Troy and Ocean's Twelve
In 2004, Brad Pitt starred as Achilles in Troy and reprised his role as Rusty Ryan in Ocean's Twelve. He trained extensively for Troy, which was also the first film produced by his company, Plan B Entertainment.
2005: Pitt Narrates 'Rx for Survival: A Global Health Challenge'
In 2005, Brad Pitt narrated the PBS public television series Rx for Survival: A Global Health Challenge, which discusses current global health issues.
2005: Starring in Mr. & Mrs. Smith
In 2005, Brad Pitt starred as John Smith in the action comedy Mr. & Mrs. Smith, alongside Angelina Jolie. The film was praised for their chemistry and became a major hit.
2005: Heineken Super Bowl Commercial
In 2005, Brad Pitt starred in a Heineken commercial for the U.S. market, which aired during the Super Bowl and was directed by David Fincher.
September 2006: Pitt and Jolie Establish Charitable Foundation
In September 2006, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie established the Jolie-Pitt Foundation to aid humanitarian causes around the world, with initial donations of $1 million each to Global Action for Children and Doctors Without Borders.
October 2006: Jolie-Pitt Foundation Donates to Daniel Pearl Foundation
In October 2006, the Jolie-Pitt Foundation donated $100,000 to the Daniel Pearl Foundation, an organization created in memory of the late American journalist Daniel Pearl.
October 2006: Pitt Supports Same-Sex Marriage
In an October 2006 interview with Esquire, Brad Pitt stated his support for same-sex marriage.
2006: Appearance on Forbes Celebrity 100 List
From 2006, Brad Pitt appeared on Forbes' annual Celebrity 100 list, recognizing his influence and popularity.
2006: Pitt Founded Make It Right Foundation
In 2006, Brad Pitt founded the Make It Right Foundation, organizing housing professionals in New Orleans to finance and construct 150 sustainable, affordable new houses in New Orleans's Ninth Ward following the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina.
2006: Starring in Babel and Producing The Departed
In 2006, Brad Pitt starred in Babel and his performance was well-received. Also in 2006, his company Plan B Entertainment produced The Departed, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
2006: Starring in Babel
In 2006, Brad Pitt starred in the acclaimed film Babel, adding to his list of significant roles.
2006: Favorite Celebrity Endorser
In a 2006 global industry survey by ACNielsen in 42 international markets, Brad Pitt, along with Angelina Jolie, was found to be one of the favorite celebrity endorsers for brands and products worldwide.
May 2007: Pitt and Jolie Donate to Darfur Crisis Relief
In May 2007, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie donated $1 million to three organizations in Chad and Sudan dedicated to those affected by the crisis in the Darfur region.
2007: Pitt and Jolie Invested in The Jolie-Pitt Foundation
According to federal filings, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie invested $8.5 million into the Jolie-Pitt Foundation in 2006; it gave away $2.4 million in 2006 and $3.4 million in 2007.
2007: Appearance on Time 100 List
In 2007, Brad Pitt appeared on the Time 100 list, solidifying his status as one of the most influential people.
2007: Starring in Ocean's Thirteen and The Assassination of Jesse James
In 2007, Brad Pitt starred in Ocean's Thirteen and The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival. He won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor for the latter.
2007: Starring in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
In 2007, Brad Pitt starred in the acclaimed film The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, showcasing his range as an actor.
2007: Time 100 List
In 2007, Brad Pitt was included on the Time 100 list, a compilation of the 100 most influential people in the world, as selected annually by Time magazine.
September 2008: Pitt Donates to Campaign Against Proposition 8
In September 2008, Brad Pitt donated $100,000 to the campaign against California's Proposition 8, an initiative to overturn the state Supreme Court decision that had legalized same-sex marriage.
October 2008: Make It Right Foundation Completes First Homes
In October 2008, the Make It Right Foundation completed its first six homes in New Orleans.
2008: Starring in Burn After Reading and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
In 2008, Brad Pitt appeared in Burn After Reading and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. His performance in the latter earned him several award nominations.
2008: Appearance on Forbes Celebrity 100 List
In 2008, Brad Pitt continued to appear on Forbes' annual Celebrity 100 list, recognizing his influence and popularity.
2008: Oscar Nomination for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
In 2008, Brad Pitt received an Oscar nomination for his role in the fantasy romance The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
March 2009: Pitt Promotes Green Housing to US Government
In March 2009, Brad Pitt met with U.S. President Barack Obama and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to promote his concept of green housing as a national model and discuss federal funding possibilities.
June 2009: Jolie-Pitt Foundation Donates to UN Refugee Agency
In June 2009, the Jolie-Pitt Foundation donated $1 million to a U.N. refugee agency to help Pakistanis displaced by fighting between troops and Taliban militants.
September 2009: Pitt Receives Award for Make It Right Project
In September 2009, Brad Pitt received an award from the U.S. Green Building Council in recognition of the Make It Right project.
2009: Starring in Inglourious Basterds
In 2009, Brad Pitt starred in Quentin Tarantino's war film Inglourious Basterds as Lieutenant Aldo Raine. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and was a box office success.
2009: Inclusion on Time 100 List
In 2009, Brad Pitt was again included on the Time 100 list, this time in the "Builders and Titans" category.
January 2010: Jolie-Pitt Foundation Donates to Haiti Earthquake Relief
In January 2010, the Jolie-Pitt Foundation donated $1 million to Doctors Without Borders for emergency medical assistance to help victims of the Haiti earthquake.
2010: Voicing Metro Man in Megamind
In 2010, Brad Pitt voiced the superhero character Metro Man in the animated feature Megamind.
2011: Producing and appearing in The Tree of Life
In 2011, Brad Pitt produced and appeared in Terrence Malick's experimental drama The Tree of Life, which won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. He also portrayed Billy Beane in Moneyball.
2011: Oscar Nomination for Moneyball
In 2011, Brad Pitt received an Oscar nomination for his role in the sports drama Moneyball.
March 2012: Pitt Performs in Play About Prop 8 Trial
In March 2012, Brad Pitt was featured in a performance of Dustin Lance Black's play, 8 – a staged reenactment of the federal trial that overturned California's Prop 8 ban on same-sex marriage – as Judge Vaughn Walker.
September 2012: Pitt Reaffirms Support for Obama
In September 2012, Brad Pitt reaffirmed his support for Barack Obama's U.S. election campaign.
2012: Starring in Killing Them Softly
In 2012, Brad Pitt starred as mob hitman Jackie Cogan in Andrew Dominik's Killing Them Softly, based on the novel Cogan's Trade.
2013: Starring in World War Z and producing 12 Years a Slave
In 2013, Brad Pitt starred in and produced World War Z, a thriller about a zombie apocalypse, and also produced and played a small role in 12 Years a Slave, a historical drama that won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
2013: Academy Award for 12 Years a Slave
In 2013, as a producer, Brad Pitt won the Academy Award for Best Picture for 12 Years a Slave.
October 17, 2014: Release of Fury
On October 17, 2014, the World War II film Fury, starring Brad Pitt, was released. The film was a critical and commercial success.
2014: Plan B Entertainment lands television series
In 2013-2014, Plan B Entertainment's joint venture with ABC Studios, the sci-fi/fantasy drama Resurrection, was picked up by ABC.
2015: Starring in The Big Short
In 2015, Brad Pitt starred in the acclaimed film The Big Short, demonstrating his continued success in the industry.
2015: Starring in By the Sea and The Big Short
In 2015, Brad Pitt starred opposite Angelina Jolie in By the Sea, and also starred in and produced The Big Short.
2015: Oscar Nomination for The Big Short as Producer
In 2015, Brad Pitt was nominated for an Academy Award as a producer for The Big Short.
2016: Starring in Allied
In 2016, Brad Pitt starred in Robert Zemeckis's romantic thriller Allied.
2017: Starring in War Machine and Weatherman on The Jim Jefferies Show
In 2017, Brad Pitt starred in the Netflix satirical war comedy War Machine and played a recurring role as a weatherman on The Jim Jefferies Show.
December 2019: Interview article on addiction and recovery
In December 2019, Brad Pitt co-wrote an article for Interview magazine with Anthony Hopkins, discussing their shared experiences with addiction and recovery, also crediting Bradley Cooper with helping him in his sobriety journey.
2019: Starring in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Ad Astra
In 2019, Brad Pitt starred in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and James Gray's Ad Astra. He received awards for his performance in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
2019: Academy Award for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
In 2019, Brad Pitt won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
October 2020: Pitt Narrates Advertisement for Joe Biden's Presidential Campaign
In October 2020, Brad Pitt narrated an advertisement for Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign.
2020: Portraying Dr. Anthony Fauci on Saturday Night Live
In 2020, Brad Pitt portrayed Dr. Anthony Fauci on Saturday Night Live, earning him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.
2021: Pitt Enters Recording Business
In 2021, Brad Pitt entered the recording business by creating Miraval Studios, a company with French record producer Damien Quintard, set in Pitt's Chateau Miraval in South of France.
January 5, 2022: Pitt Signs On To Star In And Produce Formula One Racing Film
On January 5, 2022, Brad Pitt signed on to star in and produce a racing film on Formula One titled F1, directed by Joseph Kosinski, for which he earned $30 million.
2022: Art Exhibition in Finland
In 2022, nine of Brad Pitt's sculptures were exhibited alongside works by Nick Cave and Thomas Houseago at the Sara Hildén Art Museum in Tampere, Finland.
2023: Art Exhibition in Finland continues
Brad Pitt's sculptures remained on exhibit with works by Nick Cave and Thomas Houseago at the Sara Hildén Art Museum in Tampere, Finland, throughout 2023.
2025: Film Grosses Exceed $6.9 Billion
As of 2025, Brad Pitt's films have grossed over $6.9 billion worldwide, according to The Numbers.
2025: Starring in F1
In 2025, Brad Pitt is slated to star in F1, which may be his next role in the industry.
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