Brad Pitt Reveals the Acting Styles That Leave Him in Awe—And Why He Can’t Replicate Them

Brad Pitt, one of the most versatile and revered actors of his generation, has been known for his range of roles across various genres. From action-packed films like Fight Club to dramatic portrayals in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Pitt has mastered the art of transformation. However, in a revealing interview with GQ, Pitt shared how two prominent actors—Christian Bale and Tom Hardy—made him reconsider his own approach to acting, especially when it comes to embracing the method acting style that works so well for them.

A Different Approach: Method Acting vs. Personal Experience

While many actors dive headfirst into method acting, where they live and breathe their character off-screen to embody them fully, Brad Pitt has always approached his roles in a more personal way. For Pitt, acting isn’t about inhabiting the psyche of his character to the extent that he loses sight of himself; instead, he prefers to bring his own experiences, emotions, and humor into his performances. It’s about making the character personal, offering an interpretation unique to him and his journey in life.

In contrast, Bale and Hardy are known for their immersive, method acting techniques. Bale, in particular, has famously transformed his body and psyche for roles, such as his portrayal of Patrick Bateman in American Psycho. Pitt, in his interview, expressed admiration for both Bale and Hardy, acknowledging that their approach to acting is something he simply cannot replicate. “When I watch Bale or Hardy, I can’t do what they do,” Pitt admitted. “I love watching them. And I couldn’t step into that role. I want to do the same thing on my end.”

The Subtle Influence of Method Acting

Pitt’s own experience with method acting has been more subtle compared to the extreme transformations of his peers. During the making of Inglourious Basterds (2009), Pitt embraced a bit of method acting by immersing himself in his character’s discomfort. He didn’t just play Aldo Raine, the rugged, scarred soldier; he adopted some of Raine’s gritty traits, including a rather relaxed approach to hygiene. In fact, co-star Eli Roth later recalled a humorous moment when Pitt had to get close to him for a scene. “After a scene, Brad had to get next to me for a close-up shot, and he said, ‘Damn, you’re ripe.’ I said, ‘I didn’t have time to shower.’ He said, ‘Baby wipes, man, baby wipes.’”

This moment, while lighthearted, was an example of how Pitt lightly embraces the method approach without going as far as Bale or Hardy, who dive deeply into their characters’ worlds.

Hardy’s Subtle and Strategic Choices

Tom Hardy’s method isn’t quite as extreme as Bale’s, but it’s still immersive in its own right. In an interview with Digital Spy in 2024, Hardy shared how he approaches a character by exploring “the obvious choice” and then deconstructing it. “I always like to take something that’s an obvious choice and try them over with a less obvious choice, and then look for an obvious choice as a counterpoint,” Hardy explained. This process allows him to explore the complexities of a character before narrowing down the final portrayal.

For Hardy, it’s all about understanding the nuances and contradictions within a character, exploring layers that may not be immediately obvious in the script. This introspective approach, which often leads him to unexpected interpretations, is something that Pitt admires but acknowledges he cannot replicate in his own work.

Embracing Personal Experience Over Method

Brad Pitt’s acting technique is far removed from the deep psychological immersion of method acting, yet it has allowed him to carve out a niche in Hollywood that is all his own. For him, the key to a great performance is drawing on his personal experiences, humor, and the emotional scars he’s accumulated throughout his life. “If I’m gonna do the role, what can I bring to it that someone else can’t?” he mused in his interview. “It’s about bringing my personal experience, my personal humour, my personal, um, embarrassments, and my personal pains.”

This ability to inject his own life into his roles has been one of the hallmarks of Pitt’s career. Unlike Bale and Hardy, who lose themselves in their characters, Pitt stays grounded in his own identity while still allowing the character to evolve in his hands. This personal approach has led to some of his most memorable performances, whether he’s playing the iconic trickster in Ocean’s Eleven or the reflective, aging stuntman in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

The Freedom of Different Approaches

While Christian Bale and Tom Hardy are known for their deep, method-based techniques, Brad Pitt’s ability to weave his personal history into his performances offers a distinct form of storytelling. There is no right or wrong way to approach acting, and all three actors have achieved immense success through their unique methods. Pitt’s perspective on acting, as he explained, is about finding something personal within each role—a way to make it his own without losing himself in the process.

As a result, Pitt has carved out a space for himself in Hollywood, balancing vulnerability and strength, humor and depth. Whether he’s playing a high-stakes action hero or a charming heartthrob, Pitt’s ability to bring his own personal experiences to the screen has made him one of the most versatile and respected actors of his time. And while he may not dive into method acting like Bale or Hardy, his approach offers a refreshing and relatable alternative that continues to captivate audiences.