While Brad Pitt shines as one of Hollywood’s most iconic stars, he isn’t the only remarkable member of his family. Behind the fame are two siblings — Doug and Julie Pitt — who, despite sharing a striking resemblance to the A-lister, have chosen very different paths: ones rooted in service, faith, and community.
Raised in Springfield, Missouri, Brad, Doug, and Julie grew up under the steady guidance of their mother, Jane Pitt, a schoolteacher known for her kindness and strong moral compass. Though Jane passed away in 2021, her values continue to shape her children’s lives in profound ways.
Away from the red carpets and paparazzi, Doug and Julie have built meaningful lives far from the spotlight — ones defined not by fame, but by compassion, resilience, and deep personal conviction.
Doug Pitt: The Brother Who Chose Service Over Stardom
Doug Pitt, Brad’s younger brother, may not be a household name, but his impact stretches across Missouri and beyond. A successful entrepreneur and dedicated philanthropist, Doug has devoted his life to helping others — especially children facing hardship.
In 2008, he founded Care to Learn, a nonprofit born from a simple yet powerful moment. After attending a Springfield Chamber of Commerce meeting where he heard heartbreaking stories — children sharing toothbrushes, coming to school without breakfast — Doug couldn’t shake the images.
Sitting at a red light days later, he made a decision: he had to act.
“People say, ‘You’re just enabling lazy parents,'” he recalled. “And I said, ‘So what? The kid didn’t ask to be in that situation. He doesn’t deserve to suffer because of it.'”
True to his word, Doug ran Care to Learn like a business — efficient, results-driven, and focused on speed. Today, the organization has fulfilled over 3 million service requests, expanded to 46 chapters, and supports more than 135,000 children across Missouri with food, hygiene items, and emergency supplies.
But Doug’s humanitarian work doesn’t stop at state lines. As a Goodwill Ambassador for Tanzania and board member of WorldServe International, he’s helped bring clean water to rural East African communities, improving health and education outcomes for thousands.
Despite his global influence, Doug has never left his roots. He still lives in Springfield, just miles from the home where he grew up, and has raised his three children there with his wife, Lisa.
In 2017, when he returned to his childhood home, he reflected on what that place meant to him:
“I think the greatest compliment I can give it is that I chose to raise my kids here. I could’ve lived anywhere in the world — and I chose Springfield.”
His memories aren’t of luxury or fame, but of simple joys: listening to The Beatles on the living room floor, playing in the backyard shed, or watching a tree Brad brought home in fifth grade grow tall in the yard.
Grounded, humble, and deeply connected to his community, Doug bikes the same streets he rode as a kid and cherishes the closeness of extended family still living nearby.
“I’m sentimental to it,” he said. “It was an amazing, amazing part of my childhood.”
Julie Neal: The Sister Who Found Her Calling in Faith and Family
While Doug has made headlines for his humanitarian work, Brad’s sister, Julie Neal, has lived a quieter, deeply spiritual life centered on faith, family, and service.
Married to Rob Neal for over 34 years, Julie is a devoted wife and mother of five. Their family journey includes two adoptions from Ethiopia — decisions she describes as divine callings.
In a heartfelt social media post in February 2024, she celebrated their anniversary:
“Happy 34th Anniversary, my love. God has blessed us with amazing kids, many adventures, and a marriage made in Heaven! Love you!”
Julie admitted she once lived in a “bubble” — focused only on her immediate world — until she felt God urging her family to adopt.
“We had the space, the love… and all our kids were on board,” she said. “It just felt right.”
Their first adoption brought them to Ethiopia, where Julie fell in love with the people and culture.
“They are the most happy people, and by our standards, they have nothing,” she shared, moved by the joy and resilience she witnessed.
That connection didn’t end with bringing their children home. Julie and Rob extended their mission by helping fund clean water projects in the Ethiopian regions they adopted from — a gesture of gratitude and solidarity.
Philanthropy clearly runs in the family. In 2009, Brad, Doug, and Julie — along with their spouses — joined forces to donate $1 million toward the Jane Pitt Pediatric Cancer Center in Springfield, named in honor of their late mother.
It remains the only facility in the region with a pediatric oncologist and hematologist, offering life-saving care to families who once had to travel hours for treatment.
Though Brad Pitt remains the most visible face of the family, Doug and Julie have quietly built lives of depth, integrity, and impact. Their stories — and the rare photos that capture them — paint a fuller picture of a family shaped not by fame, but by love, service, and the enduring power of home.