by Brad Pitt is one of the biggest movie stars in the world. He has starred in countless hit films over his decades-long career, from Fight Club and Ocean’s Eleven to Moneyball and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. He’s worked with the top directors in the industry and has been nominated for eight Academy Awards, winning one for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
But Pitt’s path to stardom wasn’t linear. In fact, there was a specific decision he made early in his career that transformed it. This decision is one that we can all learn from in our own lives and careers.
In a recent interview, Pitt opened up about the pivotal moment that changed everything for him. He shared that when he first moved to Los Angeles in the late 1980s to pursue acting, he was focused on one thing only: getting cast in big-budget studio films.
“When I first got to L.A., my only goal was to get into big-budget studio films,” Pitt explained. “I wasn’t thinking about the actual roles or the films themselves. I just wanted to get my foot in the Hollywood door.”
For those first few years, Pitt hustled to land any part in any major studio movie he could get. He picked up minor roles in films like Cutting Class, Happy Together, and Across the Tracks. They weren’t very demanding roles, but they were in well-financed films with decent distribution.
“I didn’t care about the quality of the films I was doing. If it was a big studio movie, I was on board. I just wanted the exposure and to work with established actors and directors,” Pitt admitted.
However, after a few years of pursuing this strategy, Pitt realized it wasn’t fulfilling him:
“I wasn’t feeling creatively satisfied. The roles I was playing were underdeveloped and felt meaningless. I was so laser-focused on big budget projects that I wasn’t finding material that resonated with me.”
It was at that point that Pitt made a major change:
“I decided I needed to flip the script and make creative fulfillment my goal over box office draw or studio prestige. I wanted to seek out roles that I found compelling and challenging, in films that felt meaningful to me. Box office upside and production budgets were now less of a factor.”
This was a total game-changer for Pitt’s career trajectory. Once he shifted his focus towards roles for their creative merit over commercial appeal, his career took off in exciting new directions.
Pitt started working with emerging directors like David Fincher, Guy Ritchie, and Steven Soderbergh who had edgier, more unconventional projects. He took risks on smaller indie films like True Romance and Twelve Monkeys. And he began playing more morally ambiguous, complex characters that allowed him to show his acting chops.
Some examples of the bold projects and roles Pitt took on after this turning point include:
Fight Club (1999)
In David Fincher’s dark satire Fight Club, Pitt plays Tyler Durden, an charismatic anarchist who starts an underground boxing club that evolves into a dangerous cult. It was a provocative, unsettling film that explored themes of masculinity, consumerism, and social conformity. Pitt delivered a raw, intense performance that became iconic.
Snatch (2000)
Pitt surprised audiences by playing Mickey O’Neil, a nearly incomprehensible Irish gypsy boxer, in Guy Ritchie’s crime comedy Snatch. It was a radical change of pace for Pitt, showing off his comedic skills and willingness to look unglamorous on screen.
Babel (2006)
In Alejandro González Iñárritu’s searing drama Babel, Pitt played an American tourist in Morocco who deals with the tragic accidental death of his wife during their vacation. It allowed Pitt to explore grief and internal turmoil in a stripped-down, emotionally vulnerable performance.
Moneyball (2011)
Pitt earned his third Academy Award nomination for Moneyball, based on the true story of Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane. It cast Pitt dramatically against type as a brainy stats geek revolutionizing baseball analytics. He displayed gravitas and depth beyond just leading man charm.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)
Pitt won an Oscar for his comedic turn as laidback stunt double Cliff Booth in Quentin Tarantino’s fantasy reimagining of 1960s Hollywood. As a devotee of Tarantino’s singular, bold style, Pitt relished the chance to bring the director’s vision to life.
By taking creative risks and aligning himself with audacious filmmakers instead of chasing commercial sure-things, Pitt was able to reinvent himself multiple times as an actor. His career moved to ever higher levels of critical acclaim and industry respect.
“Making that decision to prioritize creative merit was the smartest thing I could have done,” Pitt reflected. “It opened me up to so many more possibilities. I learned to trust my instincts and take chances on provocative material. Saying yes to those edgier, unconventional roles allowed me to discover who I was as an actor.”
Pitt believes this type of career-changing decision is vital for anyone pursuing their passions:
“If you’re serious about your craft – whether you’re a performer, writer, artist – you have to tune out the noise and follow your own inner compass. Take risks, even if they might not lead to mainstream success. Stay true to your own vision – that’s how you’ll do your best work.”
Pitt’s willingness to pivot from just chasing commercial projects to seeking out films that stirred him creatively demonstrates the power of this type of values-driven decision-making. And his story provides some key lessons that can impact other arenas of life:
Examine your motivations
Early on, Pitt’s only motivation was mainstream Hollywood success. But he realized he needed to connect with work that had personal meaning to him. Taking stock of the driving factors behind your decisions is crucial. Make sure your actions align with what matters most to you.
Be willing to deviate from a conventional path
Pitt stepped off the beaten path of using big-budget movies as a ladder to fame. He zigzagged between commercial and passion projects. Don’t be afraid to divert from the expected career trajectory if it leads you somewhere more fulfilling.
Prioritize learning and growth
Pitt was eager to work with directors like Fincher and Soderbergh who could teach him new acting techniques. He consistently chooses roles that build his skills. Make expanding your abilities a goal, not just achievement markers like money or status.
Tune out external voices
Early on, Pitt got caught up in what Hollywood and agents thought he should pursue. Once he blocked that noise out, magic happened. Don’t make decisions based on what others expect. Follow your inner compass.
Embrace uncertainty
Pitt couldn’t predict with certainty that unconventional choices like Fight Club and Snatch would work out. But he rolled the dice on his talent. Have faith in yourself and be willing to take smart risks without any guarantee.
Brad Pitt’s “aha moment” that changed everything was realizing he needed to shape his career around passion, not paychecks. Rather than chasing big-budget movies to elevate his star power, he pivoted to offbeat projects that expanded him as an actor. It took his career to new heights and led to countless legendary performances.
Pitt believes that if you want to excel in any endeavor, you need to let your inner fire be your guide. Tune out popular narratives about the “right” path. Take smart risks driven by what moves you, not external measures of success. While your definition of fulfillment may be completely different from Pitt’s, the same principle applies: make decisions that honor your unique talents, values and purpose.
This wisdom doesn’t just apply to Hollywood stars. No matter your profession, reflecting carefully on your motivations and getting creative about your path can lead you somewhere extraordinary. Pitt’s conviction is that if you follow your inner spark – just like he did by swerving down less predictable but more rewarding creative roads – you’ll end up where you’re meant to be.
