Brad Pitt: Moneyball star 'brave' to admit depression Rethink Mental Illness said Pitt was "brave" for opening up about his depression in the 1990s and that his revelation could give many people "renewed hope." The Moneyball star, whose long-term girlfriend is Angelina Jolie, told the Hollywood Reporter he saw his experience with the mental illness as "a great education." In the 1990s Pitt starred in some of his biggest films including Fight Club, 12 Monkeys, Seven and The Devil's Own and admitted he smoked too much marijuana. Mark Davies, director of communications at Rethink Mental Illness, said on Thursday: "Mental illness can happen to any of us at any time, whether famous or not, rich or poor. Sadly it can sometimes be difficult to talk about, even though people with mental illness need as much compassion and support as people with physical health problems. We commend Brad Pitt for speaking so bravely and openly about his experiences. Everyone in the UK knows someone with some form of mental illness, whether depression, schizophrenia or bipolar. When people in the public eye talk about mental illness, it sends a powerful message to all who face it at some point in their lives. Brad Pitt's story shows that it is possible to recover from depression, which will give many people renewed hope.