Angelina Jolie’s Son Maddox Joins Siblings in Dropping Father Brad Pitt’s Surname From His Legal Identity

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s eldest son, Maddox, has joined his siblings in taking steps to remove his father’s last name legally, following a prolonged estrangement.

Pitt and Jolie separated in 2016 following a highly publicized altercation on a private flight. At the time, Jolie accused Pitt of abusive behavior toward her and their children.

According to a report by the Daily Mail, Maddox has filed paperwork requesting a legal name change.

The 24-year-old wishes to officially drop his father’s surname, Pitt, altering his legal name to Maddox Chivan Jolie.

Notably, Maddox has already removed 'Pitt' from his name professionally.

He was credited simply as Maddox Jolie in the end credits of his mother’s recent directorial project, Couture, where he worked as an assistant director.

Maddox joins his siblings who have also disassociated themselves from their father’s surname, either legally or professionally.

While Shiloh dropped Pitt from her name legally, Zahara dropped it informally. Vivienne removed her father’s last name from the playbill for a Broadway production she had worked in.

It appears evident that Pitt and Jolie’s kids have chosen a side and wish to distance themselves from their estranged father.

Adding to speculations of a possible rift, the F1 actor allegedly did not reach out to his daughter Zahara after she graduated from Spelman College.

Maddox’s legal request has yet to be formally granted by the court, but a ruling is expected to be announced soon.

The 24-year-old listed the reason behind his wish to change his name simply as “personal.”

Pitt and Jolie were married from 2014 to 2019, and their divorce was finalized in 2024.

While the Maleficent actress filed for divorce in 2016 following the flight incident -- where she alleged physical and verbal abuse --Pitt has consistently denied the charges.

Before Couture, Maddox also worked as a production assistant on his mother’s 2024 biographical drama Maria, where she played the legendary opera singer Maria Callas.

On that particular project, however, he was still credited using the last name 'Jolie-Pitt.'

Jolie reportedly filed a lawsuit against the FBI in 2022 seeking information regarding why they closed their investigation into Pitt without filing charges.

The actress alleged that her former husband poured beer on her during their 2016 altercation on the private plane and was verbally abusive toward Maddox.

Jolie further alleged that Pit had raised his hands at Maddox -- who was 15 at the time -- and struck him. However, Pitt strongly denied the allegations.

However, Pitt was cleared of all charges by the FBI following investigations into the incident.

Just days after the flight, Jolie filed for divorce from Pitt, seeking full custody of their children.