Brad Pitt reflects on past mental health struggles during divorce

In a recent interview with Esquire published on August 10, 2026, 62-year-old actor Brad Pitt opened up about the severe emotional turmoil he endured during his divorce from Angelina Jolie. Pitt described a specific period of intense suffering where he felt unable to find a way out of his personal distress, noting that the pain was so overwhelming that he experienced phantom, intrusive thoughts about suicide, including the sensation of a cold bullet against his head.

Despite these admissions, the actor emphasized that he is not naturally prone to suicidal ideation and considers himself an inherent optimist. He clarified that he never intended to act on these thoughts, distinguishing his experience from a chronic condition. Pitt explained that he was grappling with significant family issues at the time, which led to a brief moment of despair that he eventually navigated without taking harmful action. His revelations provide insight into the private collapse of his marriage and the subsequent mental health challenges he faced in the public eye.