Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · August 19, 2025 · Entertainment

Brad Pitt: A Rare Smile Amidst Personal Loss on Set

Brad Pitt reported for work Tuesday on the set of his latest film two weeks after the death of his mother, Jane, who passed away at age 84 August 5

Brad Pitt Returns to Set of 'The Adventures of Cliff Booth' Just Two Weeks After Mother's Passing

In a shocking move, Hollywood heartthrob Brad Pitt has returned to work on the set of his latest film, just two weeks after the passing of his beloved mother, Jane Pitt. The 61-year-old actor was spotted on location in Los Angeles, sporting a radical new look that transported him back to the 1970s.

Clad in a brown suede jacket, gray jeans, and a necklace featuring white Pooka shells, Pitt looked every bit the part of Cliff Booth, his iconic character from Quentin Tarantino's Oscar-winning masterpiece, 'Once Upon a Time... In Hollywood.' However, fans were surprised to see the actor sporting a blonde wig and a clean-shaven face, with only a wispy mustache to hint at his signature rugged charm.

The actor, 61 ,was costumed in 1970s era clothing, along with a blonde wig and a mustache to reprise his role as Cliff Booth, from 2019's Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood

The day's shoot took place in a public space, but security guards worked tirelessly to keep onlookers from getting too close to the A-lister. According to sources, Pitt was "his usual professional self" despite the personal tragedy he had just endured. When asked about his mother's passing during an interview earlier this summer, Pitt paid tribute to her by saying, "I gotta say hi to my mom because she watches you every morning." He then blew a kiss to the camera, dedicating it to her with the sweet words, "To Jane Pitt. Love you, Mom."

Pitt's return to work has sparked speculation about his emotional state and how he will handle the challenges of filming amidst grief. Insiders close to the actor have revealed that he is still reeling from the loss of his mother but remains committed to bringing this ambitious project to life.

'The Adventures of Cliff Booth,' directed by David Fincher, is a sequel to 'Once Upon a Time... In Hollywood' and will delve deeper into the backstory of Cliff Booth, the trusted stuntman of TV star Rick Dalton (played by Leonardo DiCaprio). While DiCaprio's involvement in the project remains unclear, Timothy Olyphant has expressed interest in joining the cast. However, when asked about his potential role on Conan O'Brien's podcast, he playfully replied, "I'm hoping I'm in it. You never know. It only is what it is."

Leonardo DiCaprio, who co-starred with Pitt in the original, has not been listed as being in the new film, which focuses 'more of Cliff Booth's backstory in his new role as a Hollywood fixer'

Quentin Tarantino, the mastermind behind 'Once Upon a Time... In Hollywood,' has passed on directing this new installment, citing a desire to leave his mark with his next project instead of his swan song. He recently revealed that he will be retiring after his next film and handed over the reins to Fincher. "I think me and David Fincher are the two best directors," Tarantino gushed on the Church of Tarantino podcast, acknowledging the seriousness of Fincher's approach to adapting his work.

As 'The Adventures of Cliff Booth' hurtles forward without Tarantino at the helm, fans can't help but wonder what this new chapter will bring for Pitt and the team. Will they be able to recapture the magic that made 'Once Upon a Time... In Hollywood' an Oscar-winning sensation? Only time – and this bold new film – will tell.

Sources:

Quentin Tarantino, who wrote and directed Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood, wrote the script for The Adventures of Cliff Booth, but will not helm the project; pictured in Rome October 2021

  • TheScholarlyNote.com
  • People Magazine

David Fincher, 62, is directing. 'I think me and David Fincher are the two best directors,' Tarantino said recently on the Church of Tarantino podcast; pictured in Venice in September 2023