Brad Pitt on his 46th birthday: A through the years photo tribute to that most gorgeous of straight allies

Brad Pitt is one of the few celebrities who put his money where his mouth is last year in the fight against California’s Proposition 8 which outlawed gay marriage in the state.

When he paid a visit to Bill Maher last August and was asked by the host what it is about religion that he doesn’t like, his answer touched on LGBT discrimination: “You know, I grew up in a religious family, in a religious community and it just doesn’t make sense to me. It just doesn’t work for me in the long run. I never wanted to stop anyone else’s religion and their beliefs until I started seeing it defining policy…. Like gay marriage. You have a group of people telling other people how to live their lives, and you can’t do that. In fact, I’m talking like there are actually Christians watching your show… Well, to the three that are watching, I just say you have to, you really have to check what country you’re living in because the freedom that allows you to practice religion is the same freedom you’re stepping on. That’s not right. And I want to add… if there was a nation of gay married couples that were telling you you couldn’t practice your religion, I’d be speaking up for you, too… So, let’s stop the nonsense.”

Well said.

We’ve loved Brad on-screen for about 20 years ago from Thelma and Louise in the early 90s through Interview With a Vampire, Fight Club, Seven, 12 Monkeys, Troy and all the Ocean’s Eleven movies with Clooney and Damon. He may be pretty, but he has always looked for complex roles. I’m loving his recent films most of all: Inglourious Basterds, Babel, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

Here’s hoping this still gorgeous superstar is having a wonderful 46th birthday today with love Angelina Jolie and their six kids!