The Relationship Brad Pitt Credits For Making Him a Better Actor
Brad Pitt has been connected to many Hollywood A-listers throughout his nearly three-decade-long career. From his relationship with Juliette Lewis following Too Young to Die and his romance with Gwyneth Paltrow (ignited on the set of Se7en) to his marriages to Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie, Pitt can’t escape the tabloid fascination with his love life. Yet, while he has spoken positively about most of his former loves, he has credited one relationship for enhancing his performance chops.
During an interview with The Telegraph, back when Pitt and Jolie were still married, the former sat down to promote their film By the Sea, which Jolie directed. Pitt talked about Jolie — detailing the level of trust he put in his then-wife overall, yet also as a director with a clear artistic vision. He also explained that being married to Jolie and having children altered the way he approaches his craft.
Brad Pitt talks acting — before and after Angelina Jolie
When asked how his relationship with Jolie changed him, Pitt paused before providing a detailed explanation. Pitt told The Telegraph:
“I think you can see it in my work…I was a pretty good actor before, but definitely hit and miss. I think I became a really good actor.”
Pitt goes on to note that while “age and wisdom” definitely play a pivotal factor, having a family has been a consequential part of the shift. He elaborated:
“I’m sure a lot of that has to do with age and wisdom too. But I see an absolute shift from the day I started my family. ‘And I think it’s because family – and certainly kids and a stable relationship – is something bigger than yourself. They need you to sit down with them, be there for them when they wake up in the middle of the night.”
Pitt | The Telegraph
Pitt explained that he became ‘more efficient’ as an actor after he had children
Once Pitt and Jolie started a family, Pitt began choosing his projects carefully; he knew that, if he was going to be away from his family, it was going to be for a good reason. He said:
“They need you. So I think that made me less tense about things, less stressed. And very clear that if I’m going to be doing something that’s going to take me away from my family, it better be something that I believe in, and that they’re going to see and be proud of their dad”
Pitt | The Telegraph
Pitt explained that he goes to work and gets the job done — he doesn’t want to overthink it, or stress too much, as he yearns to return home to his family. He said he is “more efficient with it.” He remains an artist compelled to give his best, but he goes about reaching that prime performance place in a different matter post-marriage and fatherhood.
