by Amanda Hanes

Created on: November 29, 2010

William Bradley Pitt was born on December 18, 1963 in Shawnee, Oklahoma, USA; to Bill and Jane Pitt.  Brad is the oldest of 3, he has a younger brother, Douglas and a younger sister Julie.  Shortly after his birth, the family moved to nearby Springfield, Missouri where he would spend his childhood.

Brad attended Kickapoo High School where he was involved with many extracurricular activities which include: tennis, golf and swimming. He was members of the Key and Forensics Clubs and also participated in school debates and the occational musical.

After graduating from high school, Brad attended the University of Missouri majoring in journalism with a focus on advertising. A member of the Sigma Chi fraternity; Brad acted in many fraternity shows. As it came time for graduating, Brad's peers were going out and starting their career's, but he wasn't ready to settle down yet. His love of acting took him to California.

Movie Career

When Brad first arrived in California, he struggled to establish himself. He enrolled in acting lessons with coach Roy London. To pay for these lessons he did odd jobs, such as chauffering strippers to their job locations and even dressing up as a chicken for El Pollo Chicken.

Pitt's first on screen jobs came in 1987 with uncredited roles in "No Way Out", "No Man's Land"  and " Less than Zero". He also guest starred on the ABC hit show "Growing Pains".  In 1988 Pitt guest starred as on the soap opera Dallas and eventually ended up guest starring in "21 Jump Street". Over the next few years, Pitt would have minor roles in a few other small movies and television series including: "Too Young to Die?" alongside Juliette Lewis.

In 1991 Brad would take on his first supporting role in the film Thelma and Luise alongside Geena Davis. It has been said that the love scene between Pitt and Davis was the moment that would define Brad as a sex symbol for years to come. In 1992 Brad starred in "A River Runs Through It" which was directed by Robert Redford. Brad received a lot of praise for his performance, although he felt he didn't deserve it.

In 1993 he was reunited with Juliette Lewis to portray Early Grayce, a serial killer, and Lewis' boyfriend. His performance was described as "outstanding" and "scary". Things were looking up for the young actor.

In 1994 Pitt landed a major roll in "Interview with the Vampire". Costars included: Tom Cruise, Kirsten Dunst, Christian Slater and Antonio Banderas. Unfortunately the critics tore apart

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