Brad Pitt: A Look at His Oscar Nominations
Brad Pitt is one of the most acclaimed actors of the modern era, having earned acclaim in both independent and Hollywood films. In addition, he’s had a longtime presence at the Academy Awards, where he has earned numerous nominations throughout his career. In this article, we take a closer look at Brad Pitt’s Oscar nominations and the projects that earned him recognition from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Background on Brad Pitt’s Career
Brad Pitt first got his start in Hollywood in the late 1980s, appearing in supporting roles in movies like Thelma & Louise and A River Runs Through It. By the mid 1990s, he was appearing in leading roles in major motion pictures like Interview with the Vampire and Legends of the Fall.
By the turn of the century, Pitt was one of the most sought-after leading men in Hollywood, starring in hits like Fight Club, Ocean’s Eleven, and Troy. He has since continued to be one of the most consistent leading men, appearing in major Hollywood projects alongside other A-list talent; he has also taken on major roles in independent and foreign movies like Inglourious Basterds and The Insider.
Brad Pitt’s Oscar Nomination History
Brad Pitt has been nominated for six Academy Awards, spanning three decades of his career. Let’s take a closer look at each of his Oscar nominations.
12 Monkeys (1996)
In 1996, Brad Pitt earned his first Oscar nomination for his performance in Terry Gilliam’s science fiction thriller 12 Monkeys. In the movie, Pitt plays Jeffrey Goines, a loose cannon mental patient with a vast knowledge of the disease that will eventually nearly destroy humanity. Pitt was nominated in the Best Supporting Actor category.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
In 2008, Pitt earned his first Best Actor nomination for his performance in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, a David Fincher-directed film based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. In the movie, Pitt plays the titular character, a man who starts life as an elderly man and then regresses to infancy.
Moneyball (2011)
In 2011, Pitt earned a nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in Moneyball opposite co-star Jonah Hill. In the movie, Pitt plays Billy Beane, the manager of the Oakland A’s baseball team determined to build a winning team in the face of a seemingly insurmountable task.
Killling Them Softly (2012)
In 2012, Brad Pitt was nominated for a second time for his portrayal of mob enforcer Jackie Cogan in Killing Them Softly. In the movie, Cogan is called upon to find out who robbed a mafia-run poker game, and restore order to the criminal underworld.
12 Years a Slave (2013)
In 2013, Pitt earned his first-ever nomination for a motion picture produced and released by independent companies in his role as a supporting character in 12 Years a Slave. In the movie, Pitt plays a Canadian abolitionist who attempts to free a man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery.
Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood (2019)
Brad Pitt’s most recent Oscar nomination came in 2019 for his performance in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood. The movie follows two friends trying to make it in Hollywood in the late 1960s, and Pitt earned a nomination in the Best Actor in a Supporting Role category for his portrayal of stuntman Cliff Booth.
Notable Awards and Nominations
In addition to his six Oscar nominations, Brad Pitt has received numerous other notable awards and nominations. He’s earned two Golden Globe Awards, four BAFTA awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. In addition, he’s been nominated for seven Critics’ Choice Awards and a number of MTV Movie Awards.
Brad Pitt’s Legacy
Throughout his more than three decades in Hollywood, Brad Pitt has established himself as one of the most acclaimed actors of modern times. He’s earned widespread acclaim for his performances in a variety of movie genres, from comedies to science fiction, dramas, and more. In addition, his presence at the Academy Awards has solidified him as one of the greatest actors of his generation, cementing his legacy for years to come.
