In the 2011 film "The Tree of Life," Brad Pitt reportedly left young co-stars Hunter McCracken, Laramie Eppler, and Tye Sheridan traumatized as he portrayed an abusive father on-screen. Despite being known for his polite behavior, Pitt's dedication to his role proved challenging for both him and the inexperienced child actors, who had not previously worked in such an intense environment.
The character Pitt played in the film mirrored his real-life father, William, described as a disciplinarian by makeup artist Jean Black. According to Black, Brad's portrayal was a reflection of his father's powerful presence within the family. While the actor found it difficult to embody the role of a tough father, he reportedly showed a caring side between shots to comfort his young co-stars.
Jean Black explained, "It was really difficult for him because he had to be very tough with those children. They weren’t actors. They’d never done anything like that, and so much of the movie was unscripted. Brad had to be mean to them, and that’s not the way he is with children. He made a point of doing things in between scenes to show how he felt about them. But they were terrified of him."
The article also touches on Brad Pitt's personal life, mentioning his long-term relationship with Angelina Jolie and the media reports surrounding allegations of him being an abusive father during their marriage. The narrative includes Pitt's acknowledgment of regret for his behavior under the influence of alcohol during that period.
