Fans of Brad Pitt have been left scratching their heads after discovering the true name of the Hollywood heavyweight. The Fight Club actor is a household name, boasting an impressive array of awards including two Oscars, two BAFTAs, and two Golden Globes, and starring in some of the most iconic films ever produced.
Today (December 18) sees Pitt celebrate his 61st birthday - but did you know that Brad Pitt isn't his full moniker?
It's not unusual for actors to adopt stage names or tweak their real ones to make them more memorable or to avoid confusion with another actor sharing the same name. However, many fans were unaware that Pitt was among those who altered their names before stepping into the limelight.
The subject of Brad Pitt's actual name has sparked discussion on platforms like Reddit over the years, with one user questioning if his name is really Bradley, while another admitted they had only just discovered his full name.
Born William Bradley Pitt, he was named after his father, William Alvin Pitt. Yet, when embarking on his acting career, he opted to use his middle name, shortening it to Brad for ease of pronunciation and effective professional branding in Tinseltown, reports the Mirror US.
A Reddit user revealed: "TIL [today I learned] that Brad Pitt's first name isn't Bradley, that would be William, with Bradley being his middle name."
Glamour magazine recounts a tale where he introduced himself as William to a woman in a coffee shop back in 2018. She responded by saying he "looked like a Bradley".
He confirmed that was his middle name, and "smiled and winked at her".
Reflecting on the encounter, the woman shared: "[I replied] 'Nice to meet you, Bradley. I mean William.' He laughed to himself, then got on his bike."
Pitt isn't the only Hollywood heavyweight using a stage name. A list of "celebrities' real names" made the rounds on Reddit a few years ago, surprising many with the number of stars using pseudonyms.
Notable examples include Emma Stone, born Emily, Jack Black, whose full name is Thomas Jacob Black, Julianne Moore, originally Julie Anne Smith, and Vin Diesel, who was christened Mark Sinclair Vincent.
However, some Reddit users noted that most of these name changes involve celebrities adopting nicknames or their middle names, much like Pitt.
One curious commenter pondered: "I always wonder if like, Vin Diesel's friends call him Mark or Vin. Or if Snoop goes by 'Calvin' with his wife or whatnot."
Another chimed in: "I'm always blown away by this stuff. And always wonder how they come up with new stage names!".
One individual commented: "As a Julianne, I find the Julie Anne to Julianne change mesmerising. I can't stand to be called Julie, but it seems strange for her to have squashed two names into one when the sound is basically the same."
When it comes to Brad Pitt, rumours suggest he introduces himself as William in certain social settings, like the reported encounter with a woman in a coffee shop.
Regardless of the name he opts for, we wish him a fantastic 61st birthday!