Brad Pitt Reveals Ex-Girlfriend Gwyneth Paltrow's Dad Had A Profound Impact On Him

Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Pitt split in 1997, but now they are in a position where they can joke about their relationship. The couple, who called off their engagement back then, are still on good terms, and Pitt always shared a close bond with Paltrow's late dad, Bruce Paltrow.

In a conversation featured on Gwyneth's Goop website, the "Seven" co-stars looked back on their personal history and Pitt's bond with Bruce.

"Okay, since it's almost Father's Day, I'm going to ask you about Bruce," Paltrow, whose dad passed away in 2002, said.

"I'll never forget when we were engaged and he came to me one day, his eyes full of tears, and he said, 'You know, I never really realized what they mean when they say you're gaining a son. Like, I'm gaining a son.' What impact did he have on you? Why did you love him, even though we didn't get married, unfortunately?"

Looking back on his relationship with Bruce, Pitt said Bruce had a profound impact on him.

The 58-year-old actor explained that Bruce "really fostered your voice, your independence. He carved the way for you guys to be who you are. And I think that's so important to parenting, you know? So the child is free to find out who they are and what they love and what they don't. You guys were just so free in your conversations. And witty. And intelligent. And funny as f--k."

"He could be tough if he needed to be, but it would be rare—only if someone was out of line. And it would come with…not a slap on the wrist but a little drop of wisdom, and he'd let you make the choice. That seemed to be his way. Just to offer you this wisdom and let you figure it out. And knowing to have that faith in your child—they'll get there when they get there," Pitt noted.

Following Paltrow's split with Pitt, she went on to marry "Coldplay" frontman Chris Martin in 2003; the couple shares two kids—Apple Martin, 18, and Moses Martin, 16. The two, however, announced their "conscious uncoupling" in 2014. Four years later, Gwyneth tied the knot with another Brad—writer Brad Falchuk", according to E! News.

Pitt, meanwhile, dated and later exchanged vows with "Friends" star Jennifer Aniston. The pair called it quits after five years of marriage, after which he went on to date Angelina Jolie. The pair, who share six children, wed in 2014, but filed for divorce just two years later, in 2016.

During the conversation, the "Inglorious Basterds" star spoke about how everything eventually fell into place. "Oh man, everything works out, doesn't it?"

"Yes, it does. I finally found the Brad I was supposed to marry. It just took me 20 years," the "Iron Man" star said.

Although they didn't work out as a couple, Pitt noted that it was "lovely" to still be able to call Paltrow a friend, before telling her, "And I do love you."

Paltrow, too, reciprocated the sentiment, by assuring Pitt that she loves him "so much."