Don Cheadle and his Ocean's 12 cast members know how to handle a paparazzi or two. The actor shared his secret weapon for avoiding constant cameras on the set of the 2004 film this week: distracting the press with Brad Pitt.
Cheadle has starred in Ocean's Twelvea sequel to 2001 Ocean's Elevenalong with George Clooney, Matt Damon and Brad Pitt, among others.
“When we were in Italy, where we shot the second one, we had a whole floor of a hotel. We kind of had to do that, because, I mean, 'paparazzi' is an Italian word,” Cheadle said on COnan O'Brien Needs a Friend podcast. “If the paparazzi came, I'd be with George or Matt or something and we'd be like, 'Look, there's Brad!' and they'd all…” and Cheadle made a 'whoosh!' gesture. “'Is that Brad?!'”
At the moment of Ocean's TwelveBrad Pitt's celebrity was already difficult to conceptualize, Cheadle said.
“I can still go out,” he said. “I don't worry too much. Someone will say something or I know someone will recognize me, but for the most part I'm low-key. I don't think Brad can be… He can't go anywhere.”
Cheadle continued with a reflection on fame. “It’s tough,” he said. “People say, ‘Well, what did you expect?’ They think this is the contract: ‘I’m supposed to come up to you, put my hat on your head and go take a picture. What’s wrong with that? I paid for it.’ ‘Well, no. I did that thing, and you paid for that thing and we shook hands, and now I’m just a person out here, me too.’”