HOLLYWOOD – Even after achieving massive global fame, multiple Oscar wins, and bankable status, superstar Brad Pitt (known for iconic roles like Tyler Durden in Fight Club and Cliff Booth in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) has admitted that the most effective remedy for a swelled ego lies in the brutal, unvarnished honesty of his Midwestern grandparents.
Pitt, whose films have collectively grossed over $7.5 billion worldwide as a leading actor, has often shared a funny anecdote about a phone call that perfectly illustrates this grounding effect.
The Six-Word Critique: “The Movie I Don’t Like”
During a period of immense stardom, Pitt called his grandparents. The conversation, which he has humorously recounted to explain how he stays “grounded,” quickly escalated into a moment of pure, unintentional humility:
- His grandfather began the conversation with the matter-of-fact summary: “We’ve seen your movies.”
- Then, without missing a beat, his grandfather reportedly shouted to his grandmother: “Betty, what’s the name of the movie I don’t like?”
Pitt, laughing as he told the story, explained that these moments of genuine, unvarnished feedback prevent him from being “arrogantly made by stardom.” The joke perfectly captures a truth about fame: to the people who knew him first, he is still just a person, not a product. He described the moment as “a very Missouri thing,” referring to the simple, straightforward nature of his home state.
🌟 The Grounding Effect of the Midwest and Academy Wins
Pitt, who hails from Shawnee, Oklahoma, and later Springfield, Missouri, has frequently spoken about how his Midwestern upbringing informs his professional life. This familial anchor of humorous criticism is a constant reminder that accolades and box office figures mean little compared to the perspective of loved ones.
The contrast between his global status and his grandfather’s casual, dismissive review is particularly stark when considering his career achievements:
- Academy Recognition: Pitt has won two Academy Awards—one for Best Supporting Actor for his role as the stuntman Cliff Booth in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), and one as a producer for Best Picture for 12 Years a Slave (2013).
- Bankable Star Status: Pitt consistently commands a minimum of $20 million for major motion picture releases and has starred in blockbusters like Ocean’s Eleven (2001), which grossed over $450 million worldwide.
Despite this unparalleled success, Pitt continues to stress the importance of maintaining his simple, down-to-earth perspective, a humility reinforced by a simple phone call asking for the name of the movie his family found forgettable.