Brad Pitt To Retire From Acting

Ever since he appeared in Thelma & Louise in 1991, Brad Pitt has had a stable career in front of the camera. Now Pitt, 47, says he'll be ready to quit acting for good in favor of more behind-the-scenes production work — in about three years. The timing might sound rather odd for Pitt, who has won rave reviews for his performance in this year's Moneyball and is widely expected to earn a Best Actor Oscar nomination.

When asked how much longer he would stay in the business, Pitt produced a direct, simple answer. "Three years," he told Australia's 60 Minutes. He said he would leave acting in order to become more involved in getting new and unusual stories off the ground. "I am really enjoying the producing side and development of stories and putting those pieces together. Getting stories to the plate that might have had a tougher times otherwise."

Pitt also hinted that he and longtime girlfriend Angelina Jolie (pictured), with whom he shares custody of six children, may have plans to expand their already large family. "I don’t know that we’re finished," he said. "I don’t know yet."

Explaining that the question of how happy he is does not really interest him any more, Pitt admitted that he his level of satisfaction with career and family tends to wax and wane, though he prefers to look at the big picture. "I think happiness is overrated, truthfully. I do. I think sometimes you’re happy, sometimes you’re not. There’s too much pressure to be happy," he said. "I know I will be at times and I know I won’t be at times. Satisfied, at peace, those would be more goals for myself."