In a candid, wide-ranging interview with Esquire, Oscar winner Brad Pitt provided an exceptionally unfiltered look into his current life, addressing his evolving relationship with sobriety and reflecting on the darkest moments of his personal journey following his high-profile divorce from ex-wife Angelina Jolie.
Addressing his current lifestyle, the 62-year-old actor revealed that after seven years of complete abstinence from alcohol—a journey that began following his public split—he has chosen to step away from absolute sobriety, opting instead for a strictly moderated approach.
“No, I got—I was sober for seven years. And then I got back off the wagon. In a more restrained manner. I got overconfident a couple times, went, Yep, nope, not good for me. Not in big quantities.”
When asked by the interviewer if he now allows himself the occasional glass of wine, Pitt clarified his current boundaries with straightforward honesty:
“Yeah. Well…I can have a few. But I can’t have a lot. I have to be professional about it.”
The conversation turned toward mental health, with Pitt reflecting on a painful emotional chapter tied to complex family dynamics. Amid ongoing legal disputes, public allegations, and his six children subsequently opting to drop “Pitt” from their legal surnames, the actor opened up about experiencing a fleeting period of intense psychological distress.
“I was never suicidal in any way. It just was not my makeup. In fact, if I have any afflictions, it’s probably being a congenital optimist. Which has helped many times, and it’s also gotten me—I’ve walked foolishly head-on into a Mack truck because of my optimism. Or, as my forever-funny friend David Fincher will say, Yeah, you see the glass as half full, but it’s half full of urine.”
Pitt went on to articulate the overwhelming nature of that specific moment, clarifying how his survival instincts ultimately helped him navigate through the pain.
“Anyway, I’ve never been suicidal except for one little period. And in that one little period, I just thought—I just couldn’t—just didn’t see a way out… And I thought, Oh, okay, now I understand—I understand suicide, in the sense that it’s just relief. It’s just looking for relief from the pain. But I also think we have incredible survival instincts. And for me, that immediately kicked in, but it was just…”
Reflecting on the perspective he holds today, he concluded:
“Yeah. Like, listen: This s*it ain’t easy. And you’re talking to a guy who won the lottery.”
When asked directly if the period of distress was tied to “kid stuff,” Pitt offered a quiet, succinct response:
“Family stuff.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or emotional distress, help is available. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or text HOME to 741741 to connect with the Crisis Text Line.
