In celebration of Brad Pitt’s 50th birthday, here are 12 of his most memorable movie roles.
Thelma and Louise (1991)
Pitt played the role of J.D, a hitchhiker, opposite Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis in this classic film about two women driving across the country on the run from the law. Widely considered to be his breakout role, Pitt beat out a bunch of other future stars to snag the part.
River Runs Through It (1992)
In this biographical film, directed by Robert Redford, Pitt played one of the lead roles of Paul Maclean. The dramatic role showed off his acting ability and made it clear that he was more than just a pretty face.
Interview with the Vampire (1993)
Based on the novel of the same name by Anne Rice, Pitt starred alongside Tom Cruise and Kirsten Dunst as a vampire who has lived for hundreds of years. He won 2 MTV Movie Awards for the role, solidifying him as Hollywood’s newest heartthrob.
Legends of the Fall (1994)
A film based on a novella by Jim Harrison, Legends of the Fall follows three brothers who live with their father in the remote wilderness, and how their lives are affected by nature, history, war, and love. Pitt was nominated for his first Golden Globe for Best Actor for his portrayal of Tristan Ludlow.
12 Monkeys (1995)
Pitt took a supporting role in this science fiction thriller directed by Terry Gilliam. He played the part of Jeffrey Goines, a fanatical mental patient with strong animal rights and anti-consumerism leanings. He won his first Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor and also received his first ever Academy Award nomination.
Seven (1995)
Pitt played a detective on the trail of a serial killer that used the seven deadly sins as inspiration, in this crime thriller. He starred opposite Morgan Freeman, and also met Gwyneth Paltrow on the set, who he went on to date for 2 years.
Fight Club (1999)
The cult classic, based on the novel of the same name by Chuck Palahniuk, showed off Pitt’s ability to look the part. He had pieces of his front teeth removed and trained in tai kwon do and boxing in order to portray the role of Tyler Durden, the leader of an underground fighting ring.
Snatch (2000)
Pitt showed more of his dark comedic range as an Irish gypsy boxer in the Guy Ritchie directed film, Snatch. Despite a barely intelligible Irish accent, many critics praised Pitt’s performance in the gritty gangster movie.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith (2005)
Remembered more for being the movie set that brought Pitt and Angelina Jolie together than anything else, Mr. and Mrs. Smith is an action comedy about a married couple that realizes they are both hired assassins sent to kill each other. The chemistry between the two was undeniably, despite the fact that Pitt was married to Jennifer Anniston at the time.
Babel (2006)
This multi-narrative drama earned Pitt another Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The film as a whole was nominated for seven Academy Awards, and further emphasized Pitt’s dramatic acting chops.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
In another film directed by David Fincher, Pitt plays the title character, portraying a boy who is born an octogenarian and ages in reverse. The film is loosely based on a novella by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and earned Pitt his second Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
Moneyball (2011)
In this adaptation of a non-fiction book of the same name, Pitt played the role of Billy Beane, the real life general manager of the 2002 season Oakland Athletics baseball team. The part earned him his third Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
