Brad Pitt has emerged as one of the more respected stars of today; his charity work, liberal political stance and, of course, his constant involvement in the movies, not to mention a furniture line, mean he’s on everyone’s radar for the right reasons.

Check out Brad Pitt in the World War Z Alternative Trailer

But, according to a recent interview with Esquire, it could have been so different if the Fight Club star hadn’t met current partner Angelina Jolie. "For a long time I thought I did too much damage - drug damage. I was a bit of a drifter", Brad explains to the magazine. "A guy who felt he grew up in something of a vacuum and wanted to see things, wanted to be inspired. I followed that other thing. I spent years f--king off," he added. This might come as quite the kick in the teeth for Jennifer Aniston, who was married to Pitt at the time. "But then I got burnt out and felt that I was wasting my opportunity. It was a conscious change. This was about a decade ago. It was an epiphany - a decision not to squander my opportunities. It was a feeling of get up. Because otherwise, what's the point?"

Brad PittAngelina Jolie
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are the definition of a power couple

Whatever change it was, Jolie or otherwise, Pitt’s career certainly hasn’t suffered since then. The 49-year-olds next movie is World War Z, which is doe for release on June 21 in both the U.S and the U.K. It sees Pitt play the part of Gerry Lane, a man who has to look after his family and survive in the face of a zombie apocalypse.

Brad Pitt and Angelina JolieThe happy couple - Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie