Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt | Source: Getty Images
Brad Pitt Reveals AA Meetings Helped Him Cope After Angelina Jolie Filed for Divorce
The "Fight Club" actor opened up about his experience during his appearance on the "Armchair Expert" podcast. The interview comes several months after his divorce was finalized following its initial filing in 2016.
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Brad Pitt sat down with Dax Shepard and Monica Padman in an "Armchair Expert" episode published on Monday, June 23. The interview began as Pitt arrived with what appeared to be an iced coffee.
Brad Pitt attends the "Wolfs" red carpet during the 81st Venice International Film Festival on September 1, 2024, in Venice, Italy. | Source: Getty Images
Shepard informed the "F1" star that he had placed two nicotine products next to his seat in case he wanted any, and Pitt responded, "No, I'm long—I'm done." The actor shared he had stopped smoking a couple of years ago after 30 years of sticking with the habit.
Drinking is another habit that Pitt gave up following the breakdown of his marriage to Angelina Jolie. The "Maria" actress filed for divorce in 2016, and a tumultuous legal battle ensued between them. After eight years, they finally reached a settlement in December 2024.
A file photo dated May 21, 2009, shows actress Angelina Jolie and actor Brad Pitt attending to the screening of Quentin Tarantino's 'Inglourious Basterds' at the 62nd International Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France. | Source: Getty Images
Pitt had been struggling with substance abuse, which affected their relationship, and eventually committed to sobering up. He began attending AA meetings alongside Shepard.
Recalling the experience, he shared, "I just thought there was just incredible men sharing, you know, their experiences, their foibles, their missteps, their wants, their aches—and a lot of humor with it."
A screengrab from an "Armchair Expert" episode, uploaded June 23, 2025. | Source: YouTube/Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
He added, "I thought it was a really special experience, coming from the Ozarks where we're like, 'Everything's great.'" Pitt expressed he had a deep respect for the openness and honesty in those meetings. "And it meant a lot to me, really did," he said.
Pitt also spoke about his internal struggles when he started going to AA. He admitted he was a bit shy at first, but, "I was pretty much on my knees, and I was really open. I was trying anything and everyone. Anything anyone threw at me," he recalled.
"It was a difficult time. I needed rebooting. I needed to wake the [expletive] up in some areas. And it just meant a lot to me," he said, adding that he grew to love the experience.
