Over the years, Brad Pitt has played many eccentric characters like Fight Club’s Tyler Durden and The Lost City’s Jack Trainer. However, out of all his roles, there was one that seemed to hit a little too close to home. After all, the character he played bore a striking resemblance to his own life and even mirrored aspects that led to his divorce from Angelina Jolie.
Pitt wound up winning a SAG award for Best Supporting Actor for his 2019 role. However, during his acceptance speech, the 60-year-old opened up about how it felt to play such a closely relatable character in Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood.
Brad Pitt on his role that resembled reality
In 2019, Brad Pitt took on the role of Cliff Booth in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood. The laid-back, enigmatic stuntman and the best friend of Leonardo DiCaprio’s character, Rick Dalton, quickly stole hearts on the big screen. But during the 2020 SAG Awards, the 60-year-old star admitted that it wasn’t an easy role.
Let’s be honest it was a difficult part. A guy who gets high, takes his shirt off and doesn’t get on with his wife. It’s a big stretch, it’s big.
Although Pitt had meant it as a joke, the truth of it ran deeper than expected. After all, the character was not too far off from the actor’s actual life. In fact, it had also been one of the key factors that led to his divorce from Angelina Jolie in 2019.
The reasons for their split have varied. However, according to reports from TMZ, it was revealed that his marijuana addiction played quite a big role in Jolie’s decision to file for divorce. After all, the actor had claimed back in 2009 that he had given up the substance after becoming a father, but it seemed to be a lie.
It might have taken Pitt to hit rock bottom to see where his downfalls lay. However, ever since his split from Jolie, the Hollywood heartthrob has decided to leave his vices behind him.
Brad Pitt opens up about his addiction struggles
Like most Hollywood stars, Brad Pitt has faced his own struggles in the limelight. From his marijuana and alcohol addiction to abuse allegations, he has faced it all. However, ever since his divorce from Angelina Jolie, the actor seems to be focusing on becoming the best version of himself.
In an interview with GQ, Pitt opened up about his struggles with alcohol and d*ugs and revealed that he had chosen to cut it out of his life completely. Although it was a struggle, the actor decided that it was the best option for him.
I had to step away for a minute. And truthfully I could drink a Russian under the table with his own vodka. I was a professional.
Pitt admitted that he had also given up smoking p*t. After all, it had caused various problems for him before. When questioned about why he suddenly decided to change his ways, the actor simply stated, “Don’t want to live that way anymore.”
The True Romance star also claimed that his divorce had opened his eyes. He wound up admitting, “For me, this period has been about looking at my weaknesses and failures and owning my side of the street.”
While there may have been no scope for Pitt to fix his failed marriage, the actor chose to fix himself instead. It might have been a difficult journey for the Hollywood star. However, he made it through to the other side with the help of his loyal companion, Jacques.
Stream Brad Pitt’s Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood on Hulu
