Advertisement
Brad Pitt recently opened up about a rare moment of being starstruck early in his career, revealing that meeting Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon left him temporarily speechless. Speaking on the New Heights podcast with Jason and Travis Kelce, Pitt admitted that encountering his Thelma & Louise co-stars for the first time was overwhelming. “When I first met Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon, I was,” he confessed, before lightening the moment with a laugh, adding, “Yeah. I got over it quickly, though.”
Pitt’s role as J.D. in Thelma & Louise marked a pivotal point in his career. The 1991 film was his breakout performance, where he played a seductive drifter who robs Geena Davis’ character after a romantic interlude. While the role catapulted him to stardom, it was the experience of working with Davis and Sarandon that left a lasting impression. Over the years, Pitt has consistently spoken with admiration about Davis, particularly for her kindness during the film’s more intimate scenes. In a 2023 interview with W Magazine, he recalled how she helped guide him through one of his first major love scenes, saying she was “sweet and kind and delicate” and made the multi-day shoot far more comfortable.
The admiration between the actors was mutual. Susan Sarandon, in a 2021 interview with Extra, praised Pitt for bringing more depth to his character than was originally in the script. She noted that beyond his striking looks, he infused the role with humor and nuance, showing signs of the actor he would eventually become. She admired how he continued to challenge himself professionally despite being able to rely on his appearance alone.
Geena Davis also had strong words of support for Pitt’s early talent. In a 2020 PEOPLE interview marking the film’s 30th anniversary, she said it was clear from his audition that he had significant potential. She expressed no surprise at his long-standing success, saying it was great to see him as a respected and honored figure in the industry.
Decades later, Thelma & Louise remains a cinematic milestone. Its story of two women taking control of their lives struck a chord with audiences and continues to be discussed for its cultural impact. During a 2024 panel moderated by PEOPLE, Davis reflected on how the film transformed her career and resonated with fans. She said people often approach her to share how much the film meant to them, whom they watched it with, and how deeply it affected them.
The film’s legacy, along with the genuine respect shared among its cast, continues to make Thelma & Louise a defining moment not only in film history but also in the lives of the actors involved. For Brad Pitt, it was the beginning of a storied career, launched in part by two iconic women who inspired him from the very start.