Brad Pitt Mourns Frank Gehry, Architectural Mentor and Friend
Los Angeles, CA – Brad Pitt is reportedly deeply saddened by the death of Frank Gehry, the celebrated architect who passed away Friday at the age of 96. Gehry, renowned for designs including the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, held a profound influence on pitt, who once considered a career in architecture himself.
Before finding fame in Hollywood, Pitt harbored ambitions of studying architecture, a passion reflected in his naming of his daughter Shiloh Nouvel after architect Jean Nouvel. However, it was Gehry’s work that truly captivated him. Pitt has described Gehry’s designs as possessing an “audacity” and a “taste for the unexpected,” qualities that fueled his own creative interests. He famously called the walt Disney Concert Hall “the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.”
In 2004,Pitt pursued informal architectural training in Gehry’s Los Angeles offices,impressing the architect with his humility and genuine enthusiasm. The two formed a lasting friendship, collaborating on design concepts for towers in Brighton, England – a project ultimately unrealized due to funding issues.
Gehry also contributed to Pitt’s “Make It Right” initiative in 2006, a project aimed at rebuilding the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. The initiative resulted in the construction of approximately 100 energy-efficient, unconventional homes, though the project later faced challenges.
As recently as 2024, Pitt spoke of his admiration for Gehry in an interview with GQ, stating, “Frank Gehry is quite simply the sweetest man I know… He’s 95 years old and he still makes art and he has a beautiful family. I think that’s kind of the formula for staying creative and continuing to love your life.” Pitt continues to pursue his passion for design at his estate in Provence,france,carrying forward the inspiration provided by his late mentor.
