He was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma and raised in Springfield, Missouri , his mother's name is Jane. His father, Bill, worked in management at a trucking firm in Springfield. In high school, Pitt was involved in sports, debating, student government, and school musicals. He attended the University of Missouri School of Journalism where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He was two credits shy of graduating with a journalism degree, before trying his luck in Hollywood. Before he became successful at acting, Pitt supported himself by driving strippers in limos, moving refrigerators, and dressing as a giant chicken while working for the restaurant chain El Pollo Loco. The Chinese government banned Brad from ever entering China because of his role in the movie Seven Years in Tibet. In 1995, he was chosen by Empire magazine as one of the 25 sexiest stars in film history. He was nominated for an Academy Award as Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the 1995 film Twelve Monkeys. Pitt was involved in a long-term relationship with actress Gwyneth Paltrow. They became engaged in December 1996, but it didn't last long and the two split up in June 1997. Extensive tabloid coverage surrounded the relationship. Nude photographs of the couple ? taken by paparazzi without permission ? controversially appeared in magazines. He married actress Jennifer Aniston on July 29, 2000. Their separation was announced on January 7, 2005, and Aniston filed for a divorce on March 25 the same year. There has been speculation that on the set of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie had a romantic affair. Photographs have circulated in gossip magazines of them looking as a couple. Pitt and Jolie deny the affair.
