Brad Pitt returns to the filming set weeks after his mother’s passing

Brad Pitt is back at work just two weeks after the heartbreaking loss of his mother, Jane Pitt, who passed away at 84. The 61-year-old actor was photographed in Los Angeles on Tuesday, August 19, in full costume as Cliff Booth, his Oscar-winning role from Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood.”

Despite the personal tragedy, Pitt is said to be “his usual professional self,” according to a source who spoke with PEOPLE. 

Remembering Jane Pitt

Jane Pitt was known for her warmth, faith, and devotion to family. She and her husband, William Pitt, raised Brad and his siblings, Doug and Julie, in Springfield, Missouri. To her 14 grandchildren, she was lovingly called “Grammy,” a grandmother who made each child feel seen with a cherished tradition called “Your Special Day.” According to her family’s obituary, these one-on-one celebrations remain among their most treasured memories.

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Though Jane mostly stayed out of the Hollywood spotlight, Brad often found subtle ways to honor her publicly. Just weeks before her passing, during a June interview with Savannah Guthrie on Today, Pitt paused to say: “I gotta say hi to my mom because she watches you every morning. To Jane Pitt. Love you, Mom.”

Back in Character as Cliff Booth

Fans first glimpsed Pitt in costume on July 29, when he wore a long blond wig and mustache to reprise his stuntman character. By August 19, the look appeared even more rugged and tousled, giving audiences a hint that this spinoff will show Booth in a very different light compared to his 2019 debut.

This time, Pitt isn’t working under Quentin Tarantino’s direction. Instead, David Fincher is helming the project, which is officially titled “The Adventures of Cliff Booth.” The script, however, was written by Tarantino, who chose to step back from directing after admitting the story felt like “walking down the same ground I’ve already walked.”

A New Chapter in Hollywood Storytelling

“Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood “was both a critical and commercial hit, earning Pitt his first acting Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. The film reimagined late-1960s Los Angeles, with Pitt’s Booth and Leonardo DiCaprio’s Rick Dalton finding themselves woven into a retelling of the Manson murders.

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The new spinoff signals a bold experiment, which expands into a fictional world that audiences love while giving Cliff Booth his standalone journey. While plot details remain under wraps, the title alone suggests an episodic, almost pulpy adventure vibe, perhaps leaning into the mysterious charisma that made Booth one of Tarantino’s most memorable creations.

Moving Forward with Strength

The timing of Pitt’s return to work speaks volumes. Filming a major movie in the wake of such a personal loss would challenge anyone. Still, Pitt’s ability to show up with focus and professionalism reflects both his resilience and the steady support of those around him.

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While there’s no release date yet for “The Adventures of Cliff Booth,” audiences will be lining up to see Brad Pitt back in action. And for Pitt himself, the work may be another way to honor the values of dedication and love instilled by the woman who raised him.