Movie Star. Sex Symbol. Humanitarian. Tabloid Fixture.
Brad Pitt is all of those things and more.
And while it seems like, over the course of his storied career and high-profile romances, we've learned just about all there is to know about the actor, we're here to let you know that you don't even know the half of it.
Take, for instance, the time he took a break from acting to study architecture under the tutelage of famed architect Frank Gehry. Or the time he walked into the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards in a relationship with Christina Applegate and walked out a scorned man, dumped mid-show. Or the car commercial that got banned in Malaysia because his beauty left government officials worried locals would wind up feeling inferior. Or the woman initially attached to Mr. & Mrs. Smith who made him back out of the project. Or the great lengths he took when committing to his role in Fight Club. (Warning: Intentionally chipped teeth are involved.)
In honor of Pitt big birthday—the actor turns 55 on Tuesday, Dec. 18—we present 55 of the most fascinating facts about a life well lived. Enjoy!