Gallery: Brad Pitt through the years
updated 12:39 PM EST, Fri November 30, 2012
If the world has to end, wouldn't you want to share that with Brad Pitt? The actor stars as Gerry Lane in
the apocalyptic action film "World War Z," which comes out June 21. Here is a look back at Pitt's life and career:
TV fans might remember a youthful Brad Pitt launching his career with appearances on "Another World," "21 Jump Street" and "Dallas" in his early 20s. Here, he's seen as a recurring character named Randy on "Dallas," a role he held from 1987 to 1988.
In 1991, Brad Pitt established himself as a sex symbol in the making thanks to his steamy shirtless work in "Thelma & Louise."
His breakout role came in 1992's "A River Runs Through It," which was directed by Hollywood great Robert Redford.
Pitt's long locks were on full display at the September 1993 premiere of his film "True Romance." Looking back, Pitt told CNN that he wouldn't have any career advice for his younger self. "I think that guy did all right. I think he figured it out quite fine. I don't think I need to tell him much."
In 1994, Pitt turned in noted performances in "Legends of the Fall," as seen here, and in "Interview With the Vampire" alongside Tom Cruise.
In 1995, Pitt had another breakout role in the thriller "Se7en," in which he co-starred with Morgan Freeman.
Pitt attended the Academy Awards in 1996 as a best supporting actor nominee for his work in the acclaimed "Twelve Monkeys." It was his first Oscar nod, and the actor arrived with the "love of his life" at the time, Gwyneth Paltrow.
After "Twelve Monkeys," Pitt went on to knock out "Seven Years in Tibet" (1997), "Meet Joe Black" (1998) and "Fight Club" (1999), as seen here. The then 35-year-old actor captivated audiences as the volatile Tyler Durden.
In 1999, Pitt was just as famous for his relationship with Jennifer Aniston, whom he started dating in 1998, as he was for his film career.
A match made in Hollywood A-list heaven, Pitt and Aniston tied the knot in July 2000.
By 2004, Pitt was a sculpted leading man, landing roles in comedy capers such as 2001's "Ocean's Eleven" and action epics such as 2004's "Troy."
When Pitt and Aniston arrived for the premiere of "Troy" at Cannes in May 2004, they were just months away from announcing the end of their marriage. That news came with a formal statement in January 2005.
Fans took sides in the Pitt-Aniston breakup as reports claimed that Pitt's "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" co-star Angelina Jolie -- seen here with Pitt and producer Arnon Milchan at a premiere of the film in June 2005 -- was a factor in the split.
After his split from Aniston, it wasn't long before Pitt was seen spending time with Jolie's two adopted children, Maddox and Zahara, whom Pitt carries here through the New Tokyo International Airport in November 2005.
In January 2006, the pair (seen here in Switzerland at the time) announced that they were expecting a baby. Pitt and Jolie's daughter, Shiloh, arrived that May.
Brad moved to adopt Zahara and Maddox toward the end of 2005, officially making them Jolie-Pitts. Here, the family walks along the seafront promenade in Mumbai, where Jolie was filming "A Mighty Heart," a project Pitt produced.
Pitt and Jolie quickly became a fixture on the red carpet and in celebrity gossip magazines as they continued to grow their family. Seen here, the pair arrive at the June 2007 premiere of Pitt's "Ocean's Thirteen."
Along with his partner Jolie, Pitt made an effort to give back. Through his "Make It Right" organization, which builds sustainable homes for communities in need, he planned the construction of 150 ecofriendly homes in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans.
By 2008, Pitt and Jolie's family had grown to include six kids as the couple welcomed twins that July, following the May "Kung Fu Panda" premiere at Cannes, as seen here.
Pitt's influence has stretched beyond Hollywood and into politics. Here, the actor appears alongside former President Bill Clinton at 2009's Clinton Global Initiative meeting to discuss New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
Pitt has done voice work in kid-friendly animated films such as 2010's "Megamind" and 2011's "Happy Feet Two."
Every so often, photographers will catch the entire Jolie-Pitt clan all at once, which is what happened here as the family arrives at the Haneda Airport in Tokyo in November 2011. They were in town to promote Pitt's film "Moneyball," which earned him another Oscar nod, his third for acting.
Pitt played a mob enforcer in 2012's "Killing Them Softly."
![Pitt is also a passionate advocate for marriage equality. He and his pal George Clooney appeared in a play about the issue in March 2012, and he told CNN in November 2012 that marriage is "one of our last big issues of equality. ... [T]here's a certain faction of our society that is not being included."](http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/121129092045-pitt-years-26-horizontal-gallery.jpg)
Pitt is also a passionate advocate for marriage equality. He and his pal George Clooney appeared in a play about the issue in March 2012, and he told CNN in November 2012 that marriage is "one of our last big issues of equality. ... [T]here's a certain faction of our society that is not being included."
Pitt and Jolie are supporters of marriage equality and have said that they won't marry until everyone can. Yet the couple has taken one step closer to the altar this year as Pitt and Jolie announced their engagement in April, a few months after they were seen at the 2012 SAG Awards. The two were prompted by their kids to get engaged, Pitt told CNN in November 2012, but he clarified that they're also getting married for themselves.
Brad Pitt: From 'Dallas' to dad
Brad Pitt, 1987-88
Brad Pitt, 1991
Brad Pitt, 1992
Brad Pitt, 1993
Brad Pitt, 1994
Brad Pitt, 1995
Brad Pitt, 1996
Brad Pitt, 1999
Brad Pitt, 1999
Brad Pitt, 2000
Brad Pitt, 2004
Brad Pitt, 2004
Brad Pitt, 2005
Brad Pitt, 2005
Brad Pitt, 2006
Brad Pitt, 2006
Brad Pitt, 2007
Brad Pitt, 2007
Brad Pitt, 2008
Brad Pitt, 2009
Brad Pitt, 2010
Brad Pitt, 2011
Brad Pitt: From 'Dallas' to 'World War Z'
Brad Pitt, 2012
Brad Pitt, 2012
© 2013 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
|