Kalifornia, here he comes . . .

THERE'S no shortage of photographs of Brad Pitt whizzing aboutthe internet, plastered over magazines, popping up in newspapers.And they all have one thing in common. His chiselled features andperfectly toned body always look as near perfect as God madepossible.

It would seem only fair that the odd snap should filter throughwith Pitt looking three stone heavier, or eyelids half-closed asthough he's been on the razzle-dazzle, or just looking plain stupid.No such luck.

Where is the picture of him dressed in chicken costume, standingoutside the El Pollo Loco restaurant before he made it big? Or thephoto of him behind the wheel of a car, driving strippers tobachelor parties? The world will have to make do with Mr Perfect.

Actually, he's a pretty ordinary guy. Even his wife, JenniferAniston, told a glossy mag that married life had been "boring".Life, she said, was "sitting at home, ordering take-out. He's a TacoBell, Domino's Pizza-type of guy."

His upbringing was also somewhat less than exciting. WilliamBradley Pitt was born on December 18, 1963, in Shawnee, Oklahoma.His father, a trucking company manager, and mother, a high schoolcounsellor, were respectable church-going folk. But Brad assures uslife was not quite as boring as the press would have us believe. "Athigh school I was known as a heartbreaker, and sometimes atroublemaker. I was in fist-fights and sometimes got suspended fromschool."

The school he refers to is Kickapoo High (only worthy of amention because of its name) and studied at the University ofMissouri. However, just two weeks before graduating he packed all ofhis belongings into his car (an old Datsun he called Runaround Sue)and headed for Hollywood. He took jobs waiting tables, deliveringfridges to college students, limo-driving, and dressing up as achicken to pay his way through artschool. And it wasn't long beforehis efforts paid off. He landed a role in Dallas, as theappropriately named Randy, boyfriend of Priscilla Presley'sdaughter. But his real break followed in 1991 in Thelma and Louise,turning him into an overnight celebrity. Twelve months later he hadmade his debut as a feature lead in Johnny Suede.

By 1992 he was rocketing his way to the top of Tinseltown's A-list of celebs. Cementing this was his role in A River Runs ThroughIt, directed by Robert Redford.

From there, the roles just kept rolling: Legends of the Fall(1994), Interview with the Vampire (1994), Seven (1995), Meet JoeBlack (1998), Fight Club (1999), Snatch (2000), and The Mexican(2001).

There was also the Oscar-nominated 12 Monkeys (Pitt turned down apart in Apollo 13 for this film), and the epic Seven Years in Tibet.Pitt was banned from entering China because of his role in themovie. He was also in the running at one point for the lead in TheMatrix, which proved a huge hit for Keanu Reeves.

Life off-screen has proven just as eventful for the Hollywoodhunk. He was engaged for a while to actress Gwyneth Paltrow and tookcourt action against Playgirl magazine to stop distribution after itpublished unauthorised nude photos of the couple. He also datedformer "pop star" Sinitta, and actresses Robin Givens and JilSchoelen. With the exception of Sinitta, all his ex-girlfriendsretain a high opinion of the star.

Now, of course, he is married to Friends star Jennifer Aniston.The ceremony itself was quiet, with the traditional vows. There were200 guests, 50,000 flowers, four bands, a gospel choir, andfireworks.

And, the perfect ending from this perfect man: "Married life isgreat. I really recommend it."

Brad Pitt stars in Kalifornia, Channel 4, 10.30pm.