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Try to set up an interview with Brad Pitt, and you instantly plunge into his almost Dada-esque world. After all, where do you go? A restaurant rendez-vous would devolve into a scrum of gawkers and gapers; his suggestion that we meet at this publication’s office creates such a stir among jaded journalists, it is rapidly nixed; and Pitt’s house in the Hollywood Hills is apparently out of bounds, reserved for his partner, Angelina Jolie, and their six kids.

So, The Hollywood Reporter executive editor, features, Steven Galloway found himself feeling like a participant in the witness protection program, ensconced in a 14th-floor-suite at Hollywood’s W Hotel Jan. 20, because Pitt’s Cadillac Escalade can make a quick in-and-out to avoid the paparazzi thirsting to behold him.On this particular morning media reports surfaced revealing that police had interviewed his bodyguard about human limbs scattered near the Hollywood sign. Andd, he can’t help being bemused. “I was watching CNN, and they said, ‘Brad Pitt’s home!’ and, ‘Brad Pitt’s bodyguard!’ ” he laughs in disbelief. “I’m like: ‘Why? Why?’ ” The report is nonsense, of course: His security chief happened to pass a policeman who asked if Pitt’s surveillance cameras had recorded anything strange, which led to CNN’s proclamation: “Police interview Brad Pitt’s bodyguard, search Hollywood Hills for more body parts.”

Still Pitt remains unfazed. During an afternoon together, Pitt was thoughtful, pensive and discussed everything from his politics (supports President Obama) and religion (he veers between agnosticism and atheism), to his relationship with parter of over six years, Angelina Jolie and their six kids.

As for his two (maybe three depending on what the Academy decides his producer status is for Tree of Life) Oscar nominations for Moneyball (both for acting and producing), “It’s a great honor,” Pitt tells THR.

Some of the other personal details he shared in THR’s cover story as well as a behind the scenes video behind the cut:

(more…)

Oscar nominee Brad Pitt has come a long way from his early days of stardom where he battled depression and drug use.

The 48-year-old star opened up about his past struggles with The Hollywood Reporter, saying he used drugs in attempt to escape the spotlight.

“I got really sick of myself at the end of the 1990s: I was hiding out from the celebrity thing; I was smoking way too much dope; I was sitting on the couch and just turning into a doughnut; and I really got irritated with myself,” he told THR. “I got to: ‘What’s the point? I know better than this.’”

In addition to drug use, the “Moneyball” and “Tree of Life” star revealed he had his fair share of dark thoughts.

“I used to deal with depression, but I don’t now, not this decade — maybe last decade. But that’s also figuring out who you are,” he continued. “I see it as a great education, as one of the seasons or a semester: ‘This semester I was majoring in depression.’ I was doing the same thing every night and numbing myself to sleep — the same routine: Couldn’t wait to get home and hide out. But that feeling of unease was growing and one night I just said, ‘This is a waste.’”

Trips to Yugoslavia and Morocco in the late ’90s, where the actor said he saw “poverty to an extreme I had never witnessed before,” was the wakeup call he needed to change his life.

“I just quit. I stopped grass then — I mean, pretty much — and decided to get off the couch,” he recalled.

Pitt then looked to one of music’s biggest philanthropist for inspiration.

“I sought out Bono and sat down with him a few times and got involved in some of the stuff he was doing. But it all started before that. It started with private acts,” he explained, adding that his newfound passion to help others connected him with longtime partner Angelina Jolie.

“That may have been one of the things that brought us together,” Pitt said of Jolie. “Certainly, I’ve met very few people more dedicated than she is. She is always studying issues, daily. She has such compassion for the people she works with.”

Looking back, Pitt is at peace with past struggles.

“This idea of perpetual happiness is crazy and overrated, because those dark moments fuel you for the next bright moments; each one helps you appreciate the other,” he said. “We are all searching for meaning in our lives, love and betterment for ourselves and those around us.”

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Brad Pitt’s six kids with Angelina Jolie are in for a treat!

“It’s gonna be pancakes for everyone this morning!” the 48-year-old actor said when he phoned in to the Today show Tuesday morning. Just minutes earlier, the Moneyball actor was nominated in the Best Actor category at the 84th Annual Academy Awards.

Pitt — who will face off against George Clooney (The Descendants), Gary Oldman (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), Jean Dujardin (The Artist) and Demian Bichir (A Better Life) — said he’s “ecstatic” to be recognized.

“It means so much considering this film was just dead on the rocks two years ago,” Pitt said. “It took a lot of people, a lot of artisans and craftsmen, to get it to the screen. It’s a great honor, a real tribute to Billy Beane and Oakland A’s organization. I’m really happy.”

The actor’s 28-year-old costar Jonah Hill also scored his first Academy Award nomination in the Best Supporting Actor category. “I’m so happy for Jonah Hill,” Pitt raved. “I can’t tell you.”

Moneyball wasn’t the only film to earn Pitt praise. “I’m doubly happy that Tree of Life made it in there,” he said. “We thought we were all but forgotten; just excited for [director and nominee] Terry Malick.”

The actor and producer, who’s been in love with 36-year-old Jolie since 2005, said he’s looking forward to seeing Clooney, 50, at the show.

“It’s more fun to have a friend there, and no one does it better than George,” Pitt said. “I say give him all the trophies, and when you run out of trophies, make some new ones and give him those, too.”

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Congratulations to Brad for picking up a Best Actor nomination (for Moneyball) at this year’s Academy Awards! The film was also nominated under the categories Best Picture (along with Tree of Life), Best Supporting Actor (Jonah Hill), Best Editing, and Sound Mixing. Tree of Life picked up nominations for Best Cinematography and Best Director (Terrance Malick).

The 84th Annual Academy Awards will air live from Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre on ABC, Sunday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m. ET. Billy Crystal, returning for the first time in eight years, will serve as host, for the ninth time.

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GALLERY LINKS:
APPEARANCES / EVENTS > Appearances in 2012 > 23rd Annual Producers Guild Awards – January 21

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PHOTO SHOOTS > 056

Lynn Hirschberg: Which movie has made you cry?
Brad Pitt: I’m not much of a crier at films, but there was one…I was coming back from Cabo on my way to Montreal, and I got hit with Montezuma’s revenge. I could not keep anything down. I was stuck in a hotel room with no windows and was just doing what you do when you’re sick. On day two of this extremely painful episode, I watched a film called Life as a House. Kevin Kline is an architect and learns he has terminal cancer. He’s estranged from his teenage son and decides they’re going to finish this house. I don’t know if it would still hit me the same way, but on my 27th hour of pure wretchedness, this movie just crushed me. I should watch it again to see if it has the same effect.

Have your parents seen you die in a movie?
They would have had to. I die ­really well, by the way. It’s one of my strong points. I just take a bullet well.

Do you have trouble watching yourself die?
God, no. I’m just checking the boxes. Hit that. Missed that. Hit that moment. Missed that one. God, I’d like to do that one again.

Do you really have characters that you’d like to do over?
Um…the first 12 years of my career, I would think.

No!
Okay…first 11 years.

What was the first role you auditioned for?
My agent sent me out for two films: One of them was The Accused with Jodie Foster. I was so excited.

Did you go out for the part of the rapist?
Probably not. With this face, I was probably up for the guy with the conscience. I called up afterward and asked, “How did I do?” There were three seconds of silence and then: “Have you ever thought about acting classes?”

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Brad is up for a Orange British Academy of Film and Television Award for Leading Actor in Moneyball. The film was also recognized in the Supporting Actor category (Jonah Hill) and Adapted Screenplay. The ceremony is on Sunday 12 February at London’s Royal Opera House.

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Brad did not win at the Golden Globes last night – the award went to his friend George Clooney – but there’s always the Academy Awards! I have much more pictures to add to the gallery, so check back!

GALLERY LINKS:
APPEARANCES / EVENTS > Appearances in 2012 > 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards – January 15

An injured ACL is no laughing matter – but that didn’t stop George Clooney from taking a friendly jab at his fellow Golden Globe Awards nominee – who’s also a fellow two-time PEOPLE Sexiest Man Alive honoree – Brad Pitt.

While introducing a clip from Pitt’s film Moneyball (the pals decided to introduce each other’s films at Sunday night’s ceremony, live from the Beverly Hilton Hotel), Clooney borrowed the actor’s cane, which he is using as he recovers from the slip that injured the ligament in his knee.

“I have to give it back to him,” Clooney, 50, who walked the red carpet with girlfriend Stacy Keibler, joked while using the black cane in jest. “He can’t make it to the bar otherwise.”

It’s not the first time Clooney took a turn with Pitt’s accessory: He posed with Pitt’s cane at Thursday’s Critics’ Choice Movie Awards.

“It wasn’t life or death,” Pitt, 48, previously said of his injury, which occurred when he slipped down a hill while carrying 3-year-old daughter Vivienne. “It was just an old man tripping.”

Both actors are up for honors in the best actor in a drama category.

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GALLERY LINKS:
APPEARANCES / EVENTS > Appearances in 2012 > 12th Annual AFI Awards – January 13

GALLERY LINKS:
APPEARANCES / EVENTS > Appearances in 2012 > 17th Annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards – January 12