Date of birth:
18 December, 1963

Family:
Father Bill worked for a trucking firm and mum Jane is a school counsellor

Love life:
After dating a string of Hollywood actresses, including Juliette Lewis and Gwyneth Paltrow, Brad turned his back on bachelorhood in 2000 when he married Jennifer Aniston. Hollywood's golden couple split just four and a half years later. He subsequently got together with Angelina Jolie, legally adopted her two children and in 2006 Jolie gave birth to the couple's first biological child, a daughter named Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt. On the question of marriage, Brad says, "Angelina and I will consider getting married once all people in America are legally able to." He currently lives in New Orleans with Jolie and their three kids.

The new:
Robert Redford. Classic good looks and genuine acting ability ensure Brad, like Robert, a long career in Hollywood that age can't wither.

Breakthrough moment:
He stole Thelma's money, and all our hearts, in the fabulous Thelma & Louise

Biggest hit:
His Oscar-nominated role in the critically-acclaimed Twelve Monkeys

Most likely to:
Refuse to follow Hollywood's lead. Mixing indie flicks with big budget blockbusters, Brad insists he isn't following a particular path - he's just doing what feels right.

Did you know?
He once had a job standing outside a Hollywood restaurant dressed as a chicken

Why we love him:
Despite regularly being voted the best-looking man on the planet, Brad keeps his feet firmly on the ground. "When you whittle everything away. I'm a grown man who puts on make-up," he says.