Jane Etta Hillhouse, born in Oklahoma in 1940, was raised in Springfield, Missouri, and is of English heritage. Professionally a school counselor, Jane has consistently encouraged her son’s acting pursuits, which began to flourish in the late 1980s.
Known as Brad Pitt’s mother, she is recognized for her supportive role and philanthropic endeavors, contributing to her fame as the mother of one of Hollywood’s leading actors and producers.
Jane Etta Hillhouse’s Family and Marriage:
Jane Etta married William Alvin Pitt, a trucking company owner. The couple had three children: Brad, born in 1963; Douglas Mitchell, born in 1966; and Julie Neal, born in 1969.
Before his stellar acting career, Brad attended the University of Missouri, studying journalism with a focus on advertising. He relocated to Los Angeles with the aim of pursuing a career in acting, leaving university just two weeks before graduating.
Jane Etta’s Philanthropic Efforts
Besides being a supportive mother, Jane Etta (whom Zahara Marley Jolie Pitt calls grandma) has participated actively in philanthropy. She is a member of the board of directors for the Children’s Action Network and has been a member of the advisory council for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Her commitment to charitable causes reflects her deep concern for social issues.
Jane Etta’s Other Children
Apart from Brad, Jane Etta’s son, Douglas Mitchell Pitt, is a businessman, investor, and philanthropist. He is known for his water projects in East Africa and his role as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Republic of Tanzania.
Her daughter, Julie Pitt Neal, is a private individual who dedicates her time to philanthropic efforts. She is married to Rob and has five children, two of whom are adopted.
Jane Etta Hillhouse’s Son – Brad Pitt’s Career and Achievements
Brad Pitt, the most well-known of Jane Etta’s children, is celebrated not just as an actor but also as a producer and philanthropist. He co-founded Plan B Entertainment and has engaged in various charitable activities, notably through the Jolie-Pitt Foundation.
His career is distinguished by a range of critically acclaimed films such as “Fight Club,” “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “Moneyball,” and “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.” Brad’s achievements include two Academy Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award.
Despite maintaining a low profile, Jane Etta Pitt has been a pivotal presence in her children’s lives, particularly in nurturing Brad Pitt’s ascendancy in Hollywood. Her dedication to philanthropy, along with her children’s successful endeavors, underscores the family’s dedication to both the arts and humanitarian efforts.
The biography of Jane Etta Hillhouse features prominently in the “All Actors’ Kin” tag of ParentsFamilyBio. This article is part of a series that focuses on the lives and contributions of celebrity mothers. For readers interested in exploring more, we suggest the articles on Carrie Cunningham, the mother of Cade Cunningham. Also, that of Bree Purganan, mother of Jalen Green. Stay tuned for more engaging content about the family members behind famous personalities.