Brad Pitt’s Best Roles Iconic Movie Performances
Explore seven of Brad Pitt’s unforgettable roles in our selection of iconic films!
Brad Pitt is one of Hollywood’s most famous actors, playing a wide range of characters over his 30+ year career. In this article, we look at 7 of his most iconic roles that showcase his talent. Join us as we explore his grungy early ’90s roles to portrayals of historical figures, and learn about Brad Pitt’s pivotal performances over the years.
True Romance (1993)
True Romance Released in 1993 features one of Brad Pitt’s memorable early supporting roles. The film follows two unlikely lovers, played by Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette, who find themselves entangled in a violent high-stakes negotiation after acquiring valuable mob contraband. In this ’90s romantic crime film, Pitt portrays Floyd, Dick’s stoner roommate. Although his role has limited dialogue, Floyd brings a comedic touch to the story. This iconic character later inspired the creation of Pineapple Express.
Interview with the Vampire (1994)
A year later, Interview with the Vampire hit theaters, featuring Pitt as Louis de Pointe du Lac. As an immortal being, Louis has a strikingly pale complexion and luminous green eyes. Throughout this gothic horror tale, he shares the story of his long, tragic existence after being turned into a vampire by Lestat (played by Tom Cruise) to a reporter. Adapted from Anne Rice’s novel, the film has become a classic in vampire pop culture and stands out as one of Pitt’s most iconic performances.
Brad Pitt’s Seven (1995)
Next on our list is David Mills, a young idealistic detective who has recently relocated to the city with his wife. The gripping thriller Se7en unveils a series of gruesome murders that reflect the seven deadly sins, committed by a notorious serial killer. Pitt stars alongside Morgan Freeman, who plays veteran detective William Somerset, as they work together to solve this chilling case. Se7en has become a cult classic in the genre and is recognized as one of Brad Pitt most iconic performances.
Ocean’s Movies (2001 – 2007)
For our next ‘Pitt-stop,’ we turn to Rusty Ryan in Ocean’s Eleven. The story follows ringleader Danny Ocean (played by George Clooney) as he assembles his crew to execute a complex casino heist, targeting three Las Vegas casinos simultaneously during a major boxing event.
In Ocean’s Twelve, Rusty returns to assist Danny in repaying the money they stole from the casino, devising even more intricate heists. Finally, in *Ocean’s Thirteen*, Rusty re-joins Danny and the gang for one of their riskiest adventures yet.
As Danny’s loyal sidekick, Rusty plays a crucial role in executing the notorious heists that define the Ocean’s franchise. This iconic character is unforgettable for Pitt and contributes significantly to the legacy of the series and its ensemble of thieves.
Brad Pitt’s Troy (2004)
Troy, an epic historical war film, centers on the heroic warrior Achilles and the challenges he confronts in ancient Greece. In this film, Pitt takes on the leading role and delivers a truly iconic performance. Thanks to Pitt’s exceptional acting, the movie went on to gross nearly $500 million worldwide.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2008)
Our penultimate entry features one of Pitt’s lesser-known characters, yet it highlights his versatility as an actor. Similar to *Troy*, this revisionist western allows Pitt to portray another historical figure: Jesse James, a 19th-century outlaw and gang leader. The film recounts the events leading up to his assassination and his rise to fame in American history. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford garnered numerous accolades for its portrayal of these events, with Pitt receiving significant acclaim for his iconic performance as the legendary figure.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Finally, we reach our last entry featuring one of Pitt’s most celebrated roles: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. This film tells the unique and poignant story of a man who ages in reverse. Born with the appearance and ailments of an elderly man, he becomes increasingly youthful while those around him, including his love interest, age normally. For his remarkable performance, Pitt earned a Best Actor Academy Award nomination.