Missouri philanthropist Jane Pitt, mother of Brad Pitt, dies before 85th birthday
Philanthropist Jane Etta Pitt of Springfield, Missouri, died Tuesday. She was the mother of Oscar-winning actor Brad Pitt, who grew up in Missouri.
Jane Pitt was 84 and died a week before her 85th birthday and six days before what would have been her 63rd wedding anniversary, according to an obituary shared with KY3 in Springfield.
No cause of death was given.
“We were not ready for you to go yet but knowing you are finally free to sing, dance, and paint again makes it a tad easier,” the actor’s niece, Sydney Pitt, wrote in an Instagram post. “If you knew Grammy, you knew she had the biggest heart. She cared deeply for everyone and everything, no questions asked.”
While promoting his latest movie, “F1,” Brad gave a shoutout to his mom and blew her a kiss during an appearance on the “Today” show.
“I’ve got to say hi to my mom because she watches you every morning,” he told host Savannah Guthrie. “To Jane Pitt! Love you mom.”
Over the years, Pitt was photographed on red carpets and at Hollywood events with her son. She and her husband, William Pitt, attended the 2014 premiere of “Unbroken,” directed by Angelina Jolie, Brad’s wife at the time.
Pitt is survived by her husband, their three children — Brad, Julie (Pitt) Neal and Doug Pitt, a Springfield businessman — and 14 grandchildren.
Pitt, a former school counselor and grade school teacher, was born on August 13, 1940, in Memphis, Tennessee, but grew up in Joplin, according to her obituary. She and her husband supported several charities, especially those that help children.
The Pitt family’s $1 million donation in 2009 helped fund the Jane Pitt Pediatric Cancer Center at Mercy Hospital in Springfield.
“Her greatest joy was her role as Grammy to her fourteen grandchildren. The years of ‘Your Special Day’ of one-on-ones with each grandkid are some of their fondest memories,” said her obituary.
The family thanked Phoenix Home Health staff in Springfield, noting that their services were needed for Pitt over the last year.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Mercy Jane Pitt Pediatric Cancer Center, 1235 E. Cherokee, Springfield, Mo., 65804.
This story was originally published August 6, 2025 at 4:02 PM.
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