Brad Pitt fans spot fascinating similarity between DOZENS of his on-screen characters – as they question if actor uses quirky habit to try and ‘add depth and humanity’ to his roles
He’s a Hollywood heartthrob with many critically acclaimed films to his name, but there’s one thing Brad Pitt may be known for even more than his acting: his eating on camera.
Eagle-eyed fans have noticed an interesting habit in the Academy Award-winning actor’s performances and the characters he plays: they love to munch on food.
“I’ve noticed something interesting and a bit quirky about Pitt’s characters in many of his films: he is often seen eating,” one Reddit user wrote. Subreddit for movies.
“From snacking in Ocean’s Eleven to chowing down on something in Fight Club, it seems Pitt’s characters have a penchant for food,” they mused, pointing to some of his more iconic, food-oriented roles.
Fans of Brad Pitt have noticed a strange habit in all his films: he often eats too much. The Hollywood actor is pictured in Moneyball eating a Twinkie
A Reddit user cited the Ocean’s Eleven trilogy as an example of “cool food” (Pitt is pictured here with George Clooney)
The Reddit user kept asking if there was a specific reason behind the eating habit and he’s not the first Insider report that Pitt has dined in more than 60 films in which he has appeared.
“Is it a personal choice for Pitt to add depth to his roles, or do directors perhaps see him as more relatable or human when he nails something?” they wondered.
“Has Brad Pitt or other directors commented on this practice? I’m curious about your opinion and whether anyone has any insights or theories about this.’
And it turns out the post resonated with many movie fans.
“Making food look good and cool is just a weird talent of his,” one user wrote. “It looks bad for almost everyone, but it works for him, so he keeps doing it.”
‘It’s the jawline. Flexes all the right muscles,” declared another.
Some theories suggest that the 60-year-old Pitt chooses to eat in scenes because his characters look more casual and natural. While other actors have mastered “busy work” like smoking, few have mastered realistic eating.
“Brad Pitt eating in his movies has become a running joke among fans,” someone else commented.
Pitt in Mr. And Mrs. Smith (2005) with a full meal and a glass of wine in front of him
The actor is seen here eating a baguette in Inglourious Basterds (2009)
In 2023, the actor explained that he is a grazer by nature and likes to keep busy in his films (pictured in 2014’s Fury)
‘In interviews, Pitt has said that food helps him stay busy during shoots and adds a layer of authenticity to the character he portrays. Additionally, directors can use these moments to show a character’s nonchalance or to add a humorous touch to a scene.
‘It has also been noted that Pitt is very fit and so seeing him eat on screen could go a way to humanize his otherwise unattainably perfect characters. It’s definitely a unique quality that contributed to his signature film style!’
The actor himself talked about his habit of chewing on screen, saying that sometimes it suits the character. He used his character, Rusty, in the Ocean’s Eleven films.
“I like to keep myself busy, I’m a grazer by nature,” the actor explained Filmweb in 2023 interview, adding Ocean’s films was an intentional character choice.
“There was actually a method to that, because (his character) was always on the run, always on the move, I thought he could never sit down and have a good meal.”
Reddit users gave their thoughts on the Academy Award winner’s eating habits on film
Pitt’s feeding behavior is not a recent observation, with a Reddit post dating back over five years ago he suggested a connection between films in which the famous actor consumes more than 200 calories, makes more money and has a higher average score from critics and audiences, compared to his films in which he eats less or nothing.
‘He consumed 82.5 percent of all his calories in the 1990s and 2000s. His food in 2010 fell off,” the Reddit user added.
“I think critics and audiences enjoy watching him eat (no way to prove this).”
The user pointed out that the veteran actor also has variations in food, giving some examples.
‘Ocean’s trilogy – Cool food; Moneyball – Stress eating; Meet Joe Black – Curious Food; Interview with the Vampire – Very Hungry; food Kalifornia – Gross food; Seven years in Tibet – I eat everything that eats,” they mentioned.
“I feel like these are the main reasons why people think Brad Pitt always eats on screen.
“The food at Ocean’s Eleven is really over the top and I quite like it.”
They continued, “Pitt’s dedication to shoveling food into his face is a lot of fun and I like how this continues in the hit trilogy.
“Moneyball also gave us the image of Pitt shoving an entire Twinkie in his mouth.”