It’s been a rough year for Brad Pitt.
The actor admits that in the wake of his high-profile divorce from Angelina Jolie, he fell into a deep depression, and began self-medicating heavily.
After seeking treatment, Pitt recently revealed that he’s sober and working again but just days after assuring fans that he’s back on his feet, the beloved screen icon was struck by a pair of devastating blows.
Two major figures in the world of entertainment passed away in the past week, and while one was much a more recognized name than the other, both were close friends of Pitt’s, who is reportedly devastated by their loss.
The first was producer Brad Grey, a former business partner of Brad’s, who passed on Monday at he age of 59.
As Pitt was reportedly still reeling from the loss of a man he considered one of his closest friends, he got news that Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell had been found dead in a Detroit hotel room.
Pitt has spoken at length about what a huge fan he is of Cornell’s music:
“I’m a big Chris Cornell addict, anything he does,” Brad told Cinema Confidential magazine when asked about his favorite music.
More importantly, however, Cornell and Pitt were friends.
Their kids attended one another’s birthday parties, and Pitt joined Cornell on stage during a benefit concert in January.
“I get to introduce a very, very good friend of mine and someone I’ve known for quite a while, and I’m a huge fan of, Mr. Chris Cornell,” Pitt told the crowd.
The back-to-back deaths of two of his best friends has reportedly shaken Pitt to his core.
“He is devastated and in shock,” a source tells E! News.
“He is trying to process the loss of two great friends. This has hit him very hard.”
In the case of Grey, Pitt was reportedly one of a select view who was aware of the Paramount mogul’s illness.
The knowledge of his friend’s health issues, reportedly did little to soften the blow for Brad:
“With Brad Grey, Brad Pitt was one of the few people who knew he was sick. Grey was told he had a few weeks to live, but he didn’t even get that long. He was gone way too soon,” says one insider.
Sources say Brad will continue to use therapy and the emotional he gained in rehab to get through this extraordinarily difficult time.
