Oscar-winning actor Brad Pitt has spoken openly about the significant toll that his ongoing family troubles have taken on his mental health. In an interview published on Monday, Aug. 10, in Esquire, the 62-year-old star addressed his personal journey amid the high-profile legal battles that have followed his separation from ex-wife Angelina Jolie.
Pitt, who was once part of the Hollywood power couple known as "Brangelina," filed for divorce in September 2016 after two years of marriage. While the pair were declared legally single in 2019, their divorce was not finalized until December 2024.
During the conversation, Pitt addressed his mental state, explicitly stating that he was never suicidal by nature. He described himself as a "congenital optimist," a trait he believes has helped him throughout his life, though he admitted it has occasionally led him to walk "foolishly head-on into a Mack truck." However, he did acknowledge one specific, difficult period where he felt the weight of his circumstances.
"I've never been suicidal except for one little period. And in that one little period, I just didn't see a way out," Pitt told the magazine. He described the pain as "oppressive," noting that while he had no intention of acting on it, he could feel the "cold steel of the bullet in my head" and understood the desire for relief. He credited his survival instincts for helping him move past that moment.
The actor, who shares six children with Jolie—Maddox, 25; Pax, 22; Zahara, 21; Shiloh, 20; and 18-year-old twins Vivienne and Knox—attributed his mental health struggles in part to "family stuff." The former couple has been embroiled in a series of legal disputes, most notably regarding the French vineyard Château Miraval. These proceedings have brought to light allegations of physical abuse against Pitt.
In an October 2022 filing, Jolie alleged that Pitt assaulted her and two of their children on a private flight from France to Los Angeles in 2016. While later filings contended that this abuse started long before the flight, Pitt has consistently denied the allegations. The FBI investigated the 2016 incident and ultimately declined to pursue any charges.
The ongoing rift has also impacted Pitt’s relationship with his children. In recent years, several of the children have sought to remove Pitt's last name, including Vivienne, who filed a request for a name change in a Los Angeles court on July 20. Regarding his sobriety, Pitt revealed that his relationship with alcohol has shifted.
After being sober for seven years following his split from Jolie, he admitted that he has since "gotten back off the wagon." He explained that he now drinks in moderation, though he acknowledged he has been overconfident at times. "I can have a few, but I can't have a lot. I have to be professional about it," he said.
Pitt previously credited his initial sobriety to his time in Alcoholics Anonymous and the support of his friend Bradley Cooper. In a June 2025 interview on the "Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard" podcast, he reflected on that period, describing himself as being "on his knees" and needing a "rebooting." If you or someone you know may be experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing or texting 988.
For those seeking help with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
