Brad Pitt opens his checkbook for art and charity

In news that would seem to prove the rumors of their breakup was, at least, premature, the word is emerging that Angelina, Brad and his family have donated $1-million to a Missouri hospital fund.

The gift, made to St John’s Hospital in Brad’s childhood home of Springfield, was announced by Brad’s brother, Doug. In return, the hospital will re-christen their cancer treatment center, “The Jane Pitt Pediatric Cancer Center” in honor of Brad’s mother, who is an ardent fighter for all children’s issues.

Brad’s generous gift will be used as an endowment fund to create a new, 10-bedroom ‘Ronald McDonald’ house there, thus doubling the Hospital’s ability to provide intensive care to those diagnosed with childhood cancers. Leading pediatric cancer specialists will then be hired to work at the center, giving hundreds of children new vistas of hope they might never have seen.

In other news, once it opens later this summer Brad’s shiny, new gift will become an affiliate of St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital…which just happens to be one of Jennifer Aniston’s pet projects.

A coincidence? Hmmm?

And proving you can’t keep a good man – or his check-book – in check, Brad Pitt’s in the news again today — This time as an art connoisseur…

The 45-year old Oklahoman was recently spied at the ‘Art Basel’ convention in Switzerland, inspecting a painting named, ‘Etappe,’ created by the German artist, Neo Rauch. Created in 1998, the 9ft-tall artwork, whose title translates as ‘Stage,’ depicts the dizzying scene of a driver at the wheel of a fire-red Formula-1 race car.

The actor was hooked and the deal was done. Price? A cool $1-million.

This was Brad’s second time at the 40-year old fair. The four day showcase hosts art from over 2500 of today’s most avant-garde artists, and he spent over $500,000 there last year on some upscale decor.

Source US