It was a bittersweet day for Brad Pitt, one that blurred the line between personal grief and professional duty.
On Tuesday, August 5, the Oscar-winning actor was spotted filming scenes for his latest movie, The Continuing Adventures of Cliff Booth, in Gardena, California.
What wasn’t immediately known was that the same day, his beloved mother, Jane Etta Pitt, had reportedly passed away.
Family Confirms Jane Pitt’s Passing at Age 84
While Brad remained focused on filming, news of his mother’s death emerged the following day through a heartbreaking post shared by his family.
According to the public obituary released by the Springfield News-Leader, Jane Pitt died on August 5 at the age of 84 — just days shy of what would have been her 85th birthday.
The exact time of her passing wasn’t disclosed, and it remains unclear whether she died before or after Brad’s time on set that day.
A Sequel in the Works, Without Tarantino at the Helm
The film Brad is currently working on is a sequel to Quentin Tarantino’s 2019 hit Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood, in which he starred as stuntman Cliff Booth.
However, this time around, Tarantino is not involved.
Instead, the Netflix project is being directed by acclaimed filmmaker David Fincher, marking a shift in tone and creative leadership.
Brad Recently Gave His Mom a Sweet Shoutout on TV
In a poignant reminder of their close bond, Brad had publicly acknowledged his mom just weeks before her death.
While promoting his Formula 1-themed movie on NBC’s Today show in June, he took a moment to wave at the camera with a warm smile and said, “I’ve got to say hi to my mom because she watches you every morning.”
He blew a kiss and added, “To Jane Pitt. Love you, Mom.”
Remembering Jane Pitt — Teacher, Counselor, and Loving Matriarch
Jane Etta Pitt was born on August 13, 1940, in Memphis and later settled in Springfield, Missouri with her husband, William Alvin “Bill” Pitt.
A retired school counselor and former elementary school teacher, she was known for her compassion, creativity, and unwavering love for her family.
The family’s public obituary noted that a private Celebration of Life will be held at a future date to honor Jane’s “remarkable life.”
Brad’s Niece Shares a Touching Tribute to Her ‘Sweet Grammy’
The loss was confirmed on Wednesday by Sydney Pitt, Jane’s granddaughter and the daughter of Brad’s brother, Doug.
In a deeply emotional message, Sydney remembered her grandmother as the heart of their family.
“We were not ready for you to go yet,” she wrote, “but knowing you are finally free to sing, dance, and paint again makes it a tad easier.”
Sydney reflected on how Jane taught her to paint, to lead with kindness, and to find joy in the smallest things.
“She believed in fairness, in putting others first, and doing good simply because it was the right thing to do,” she added.
A Legacy of Love That Lives On Through Family
Sydney’s tribute painted a vivid picture of a woman who was both spirited and selfless — someone who kept up with all 14 of her grandchildren and made every single one feel seen and loved.
“There was no limit to the love she gave,” Sydney wrote. “She was love in its purest form.
We were truly blessed to have her to love on growing up, and I know she lives on through each of us.”
Jane Pitt is survived by her husband William, three children, and 14 grandchildren — all of whom now carry forward her memory, strength, and joy.
