Brad Pitt is one of the most famous and versatile actors in Hollywood. He has starred in a variety of genres, from action to drama, and has won numerous awards and accolades. But what is Brad Pitt’s ethnicity? Where does he come from, and what are his roots?
Early Life and Family Background
Brad Pitt was born as William Bradley Pitt on December 18, 1963, in Shawnee, Oklahoma. His parents are William Alvin Pitt, a trucking company owner, and Jane Etta Pitt, a school counselor. He has two younger siblings, Douglas and Julie. The family moved to Springfield, Missouri, when Brad was young, and he grew up in a Baptist household.
According to EthniCelebs, Brad Pitt’s ethnicity is mostly English, with smaller amounts of Scots-Irish, German, Scottish, Welsh, and Irish ancestry. He also has remote Swedish, Dutch, French, Cornish, and Channel Islander/Jersey roots. Brad Pitt is a third cousin, once removed, of actor Tyler Christopher, who shares some of his ancestors.
Native American Claims and DNA Test
In 2012, Brad Pitt revealed in an interview on Inside the Actors Studio that he believed he had some Native American ancestry, specifically Seminole and Cherokee. He said:
…probably… Irish-Scots, Germans who settled in the area… Native American Indian… I know we have some Seminole, and some Cherokee Indian, in us.
However, no Cherokee or Seminole ancestors have been documented in publicly available family trees of Brad Pitt. Some genealogists have speculated that Brad Pitt may have confused his Native American heritage with that of his former wife, Angelina Jolie, who has some Iroquois and Huron ancestors.
In 2017, Brad Pitt reportedly took a DNA test to confirm his ethnicity and ancestry. The results were published by OK! Magazine, and they showed that Brad Pitt’s ethnicity is:
- 97.6% European
- 1.2% Middle Eastern
- 0.8% African
- 0.4% Native American
The European breakdown was:
- 50.1% British and Irish
- 21.5% French and German
- 11.6% Scandinavian
- 6.7% Iberian
- 4.8% Eastern European
- 2.8% Italian
- 0.5% Ashkenazi Jewish
The Middle Eastern breakdown was:
- 0.7% West Asian
- 0.5% North African
The African breakdown was:
- 0.6% Sub-Saharan African
- 0.2% North African
The Native American breakdown was:
- 0.4% Native American
Conclusion
Brad Pitt’s ethnicity is a complex and diverse mixture of various European, Middle Eastern, African, and Native American origins. His heritage reflects the history and migration patterns of his ancestors, who came from different regions and cultures. Brad Pitt’s ethnicity is one of the factors that contribute to his enigmatic and charismatic persona, as well as his talent and versatility as an actor.