Brad Pitt [1] is 51 today! It's hard to believe, but it's been nearly 30 years since Brad arrived in Hollywood as a fresh-faced youngster [2] from Missouri. Since the '80s, he's starred in big movies — from Thelma & Louise to Killing Them Softly — and dated some of the world's most famously beautiful women, including Gwyneth Paltrow [3], Jennifer Aniston [4], and now, of course, Angelina Jolie [5]. In honor of dad-of-six Brad's big day, we've rounded up 51 facts you might not have known about him. Scroll through to see them all now, and check out his hottest photos over the years [6].
His Real Name Is William
Brad was born William Bradley Pitt and was named after his father.
He Grew Up in Missouri
Brad was born in Oklahoma but grew up with his family in Springfield, MO.
He Jokes About George Clooney
Brad once joked during an interview that he would marry Angelina Jolie [7] only when friend and fellow Hollywood heartthrob George Clooney could marry a man [8], obviously poking fun at the gay rumors surrounding George. George claimed that Brad "nailed him" with that joke. George said, "He really got me badly, something I have had to deal with the past few years."
In case you haven't heard, both Brad and George have since tied the knot [9]; Brad married Angelina in August 2014 and George wed Amal Alamuddin the following month.
He Chipped His Teeth on Purpose
Brad voluntarily went to a dentist [10] to have his front teeth chipped for the role of Tyler Durden in Fight Club. Once production on the film was done, his pearly whites were restored.
He Studied Greek
He took secret Greek lessons to surprise Jennifer Aniston [11], who is of Greek ancestry.
He's Got a Brother — and a Sister
Brad's the oldest of three kids. His brother, Doug Pitt, gained some notoriety of his own in a 2012 ad for Virgin Mobile. Brad and Doug also have a sister, Julie.
He Was a Basketball Reject
After failing to make the basketball team [12] at his middle school, Brad created his own unofficial squad. Brad jokingly named the team the Cherokee Rejects and even enlisted his father, Bill Pitt, as coach.
He Was Buddies With Jason Priestley
Before they both hit it big, Brad was friends with Beverly Hills, 90210 star Jason Priestley. The pair became friends while working as struggling actors in Hollywood.
He Used to Chauffeur Strippers
One of Brad's first jobs was driving strippers [13] to their events. He went to an acting class with one of the women and met famous acting coach Roy London, which he says set him "on the path to where I am now."
His Kids Can't Google Him
Brad and Angelina Jolie [14] don't want their kids finding out about the family through Google [15]. Brad said, "On all the kids' computers we had our names blocked. They can't Google their mom and dad. I don't want to make myself dependent on what other people think."
Success Didn't Take Long
He was in LA only seven months before getting an agent.
He Was an Extra in Less Than Zero
Before he hit it big, Brad had to contend with getting uncredited parts in films as an extra. One of the first movies that Brad worked on as an extra was 1987's Less Than Zero. Brad played a preppy guy who got into a fight at a party. Robert Downey Jr., James Spader, and Andrew McCarthy starred in the film based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis.
He's Related to Barack Obama
In 2008, researchers at the New England Historic Genealogical Society discovered that Brad and President Obama are ninth cousins [16], connected by Edwin Hickman, who died in Virginia in 1769.
He Had a Car Named "Run Around Sue"
Brad left the University of Missouri before graduation and drove to LA to pursue acting in a Datsun he called "Run Around Sue."
He Knows How to Fly
Brad learned how to fly planes after being inspired by Angelina Jolie [17]'s piloting skills.
He Went to School With David Spade
Brad was in fifth grade with comedian David Spade.
He Likes to Snack . . . on Film
Brad's character in the Ocean's franchise is often spotted nibbling on chips, shrimp, or even pot stickers. According to Ocean's Eleven director Steven Soderbergh, the producers wanted Brad's character, Rusty, to be less of a drunk than in the original 1960s version, so instead Rusty became a constant eater.
He Was Banned From China
Brad Pitt [18] was banned from entering China due to his controversial role in 1997's Seven Years in Tibet.
His Parents Were Hard Workers, Too
Brad's mom, Jane Pitt, was a high school counselor before her retirement. His dad, Bill, owned a trucking company.
He Spent a Day in a Psychiatric Ward
Brad checked into a Philadelphia psychiatric ward [19] for a day to do research for his role as a mental patient in 1995's Twelve Monkeys.
He Gets Animated
Brad took a step away from the cameras and lent his voice to 2010's animated hit Megamind. He's also voiced parts in Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas and King of the Hill.
He Was a Frat Boy
Brad was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity while attending the University of Missouri. He acted in several fraternity shows before he dropped out of school.
His Big Break Was Accidental
He almost wasn't in Thelma & Louise. He got the role when Billy Baldwin dropped out to do Backdraft.
Source: MGM Pictures
He Sold a House to Ellen DeGeneres
Brad sold his Malibu home [20] to Ellen DeGeneres [21] and Portia de Rossi [22] in 2012 for $13 million.
He Made a Cameo on Friends
Brad had a guest appearance on Friends while he was married to Jennifer Aniston [23]. He appeared in the eighth season of the hit series, where he played a guy who had a grudge against Jennifer's character, Rachel.
He Created the Make It Right Foundation
Brad established the Make It Right foundation in 2007 to help rebuild homes in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. As of Summer 2012, the organization has built 75 homes.
He Designed Both of His Wives' Engagement Rings
Brad helped designer Silvia Damiani create the round diamond ring that he proposed to Jennifer Aniston [24] with in 1999. He also collaborated with jeweler Robert Procop to design the art deco, diamond-covered band he gave to Angelina Jolie [25] when they got engaged in 2012.
He Injured His Achilles While Playing Achilles
Brad injured his Achilles tendon [26] while playing Achilles in Troy. According to the director Wolfgang Petersen, Brad injured himself while doing a stunt and was "hobbling around for months."
He Worked at El Pollo Loco
After dropping out of college, Brad worked odd jobs in LA, including dressing up as a giant chicken [27] to hand out fliers for El Pollo Loco.
He Doesn't Like to Work at the Same Time as Angelina
Brad and Angelina go to great lengths to make sure they aren't working at the same time and that one parent can always be with their kids.
He's Got a Waterfall
Angelina Jolie [28] purchased land with a waterfall for Brad's birthday and Christmas in 2011.
He Is Chanel's First Male Spokesperson
Brad joined the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Nicole Kidman [29] when he became the face of Chanel No. 5 as the first male spokesperson in October 2012.
He Can Be a Real Jackass
Brad appeared on two episodes of the MTV show
He and Angelina Jolie Sleep With Their Kids
In multiple interviews, Brad's spoken about the "family bed" he and Angelina had specially built for themselves and their six kids. They had special sheets made for an enormous bed, which Angelina has said they even expand by pulling two couches up on either side.
His First Car Was a Hand-Me-Down
Brad's first car [30] was a Buick Centurion 455 handed down from his parents.
He Starting Playing With Guns at a Young Age
Brad got his first BB gun [31] in preschool and his first 12 gauge around kindergarten or first grade.
He Loves Saturday Night Fever
The first R-rated movie that Brad ever snuck in to see was Saturday Night Fever, and it's still one of his "all-time favorites."
He Lost Out on a Role to Christian Slater
Brad lost out on the role [32] of J.D. in 1988's Heathers to Christian Slater.
He Has Power
In 2007, he ranked among Time magazine's most influential people of the year.
He Hasn't Always Dated Famous Women
In 1994, after a romance with Juliette Lewis and before he got together with Gwyneth Paltrow [33], Brad brought girlfriend Jitka Pohlodek to the premiere of Legends of the Fall in LA.
His First Onscreen Kiss Was For a Primetime Soap Opera
Brad's first onscreen kiss [34] was with actress Shalane McCall during his five-episode guest-starring role on the primetime soap Dallas.
He's a Democrat in a Conservative Family
Brad's outspoken about his liberal views, though his parents, Southern Baptists Doug and Jane, don't share his opinions. He spoke about his mom and dad's conservative views after she wrote a pro-Romney letter this Fall. Brad told reporters in London, "I am an Obama supporter and I'm backing his US election campaign."
He Calls Angelina Jolie "Mama"
In a recent interview, it came out that Brad calls Angelina Jolie "mama," [35] an affectionate — and useful! — term since they have six kids.
He Has a Tattoo of The Iceman
Brad loves his ink. He has a map of New Orleans tattooed on his lower back and many more tattoos. He's kept the meaning behind his Iceman ink, located on his left arm, a secret.
Twice as Sexy
Brad was named People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive in 1995 and again in 2000.
He Studied to Be a Journalist
Brad studied journalism at the University of Missouri but dropped out two weeks shy of graduation. He said he realized he wasn't ready to settle for a normal job after college and decided to drop out, move to LA, and pursue acting.
He Doesn't Mind Younger Women
In 1989, the then 25-year-old Brad Pitt [36] started dating 16-year-old Juliette Lewis.
He's a Furniture Designer
Brad designed his own line of high-concept furniture [37] with luxury furniture maker Frank Pollaro. Brad released the limited collection, which includes a marble bathtub for two and a glass dining table with a geometric base, earlier this year.
He Produces, Too
Brad is listed as one of the producers on 2007's best picture Oscar winner, The Departed. He presently has over 20 producing credits to his name.
He Probably Doesn't Remember Meeting You
In a 2013 interview with Esquire, Brad admitted that he has poor recollection skills, saying, "So many people hate me because they think I'm disrespecting them. So I swear to God, I took one year where I just said, 'This year, I'm just going to cop to it and say to people, "OK, where did we meet?"' But it just got worse. People were more offended. Every now and then, someone will give me context, and I'll say, 'Thank you for helping me.' But I piss more people off. You get this thing, like, 'You're being egotistical. You're being conceited.' But it's a mystery to me, man. I can't grasp a face and yet I come from such a design/aesthetic point of view. I am going to get it tested. That's why I stay at home."
He and Matthew McConaughey Are NOLA Neighbors
Brad and fellow actor Matthew McConaughey [38] have homes across from each other in New Orleans. They were even spotted throwing things to each other [39] from their respective balconies in May 2014.