Brad Pitt may look and sound like a Generation X slacker, but he has worked hard for most of his adult life. Brad Pitt was born in Oklahoma and raised in Springfield, Missouri. In high school Pitt was involved in sports, debating, student government and school musicals.

Pitt studied journalism at the University of Missouri with a focus on advertising (he occasionally acted in fraternity shows). He left college two credits short of graduating to move to California. Before he became successful at acting, Pitt supported himself by moving refrigerators and dressing as a giant chicken while working for el Pollo Loco.

After attracting attention as a magazine-admodel for Levi's, Pitt made his TV debut inDallas and his film debut in CuttingClass(1989). His first film role of note was as the hitchiker in Thelma and Louise (1991).

Since that time, Pitt has exhibited a range above and beyond his ''Hey dude'' demeanor through such Movies as A River Runs Through It (1993),True Romance (1993), Interview with the Vampire(1994), and Legends of the Fall (1994).