Pitt’s family fever
The Hollywood star fell in love with the idea of a large family after watching “Saturday Night Fever” as a teenager.
Brad Pitt always wanted a big, chaotic family, said Martyn Palmer in the Daily Mail (U.K.). The Hollywood star—who has six young children with actress Angelina Jolie—fell in love with the idea of a large brood after watching the movie Saturday Night Fever as a teenager. “It was this big, boisterous New York family that I liked, all hitting and yelling at each other,” says Pitt, 48. “It seemed ferocious, but there was a lot of love in it. They related to each other.” It was a world apart from his own upbringing in a strict Southern Baptist family in Missouri. “I was taught from one book [the Bible] and one book only. Then you hear things in songs and start watching films that offer a broader view of the world. It made me want to get out and travel.” Pitt tries to encourage his own kids’ curiosity through movies and stories. “I enjoy when we sit down and share a film.” What was the last movie they all watched together? “Apocalypto.” Mel Gibson’s violent epic about Mayan human sacrifice? “Yeah,” he says, laughing. “The films are a little beyond the grade, but I’ll tell you it sparked some very interesting conversation.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Slovakia's growing bear problem
Under The Radar Government officials back plan to cull animals after latest death
By Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, The Week UK Published
-
Greenland: Sending in the advance guard
Feature The Vice President's 3-day trip to Greenland was cut short after facing backlash from local officials and residents
By The Week US Published
-
Free speech: The case of Rumeysa Ozturk
Feature The Turkish student was confronted by masked federal agents and transported in an unmarked vehicle
By The Week US Published