Brad Pitt: 'My dad taught me to love my work'

Brad Pitt has claimed that his father William taught him to love his work.

The Moneyball star explained that his dad, a trucking company executive, told him that he must pursue his dreams in order to have a happy life.

Pitt told Parade: "My dad worked five and a half, six days a week, and then he would take us fishing. He'd do that all weekend, then start work again. I have immense appreciation for that now that I'm a parent, knowing what you have to do to carve out time for your kids. I know how taxing that was on him."

He continued: "One of the things [my dad taught me] was the importance of enjoying what you do. I played tennis in high school. I was in this tournament and I was at my all-time [John] McEnroe best - throwing my racket and saying words that were not acceptable.

"Then I saw my dad stand up and walk down to the court. He got right up to me and said, 'Are you having fun?' I said, 'No.' And he said, 'Then don't do it'. He very calmly turned around and walked back to his seat. In that moment, all the pressure on me evaporated. I finished the game - I got crushed, but I didn't mind. I didn't play tennis again for maybe a good year."

Pitt went on to say that he is now teaching his and Angelina Jolie's children the importance of finding their passion.

He said: "Finding something you love to do has been a big guideline for me. I think it gave me the impetus to move out to California in a beat-up Datsun with a couple hundred dollars in my pocket.

"It's been the impetus to seek out projects that are important to me, and it's what I want for my kids."

Pitt previously revealed that he and Jolie feel obligated to help the less fortunate.

Moneyball is now playing in the US and is released on November 25 in the UK.

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Watch the trailer for Moneyball, which is now playing in the US and opens on November 25 in the UK, below: