Pitt of Hollywood — NYT Mini Crossword Clue (October 14, 2025)
Celebrity references are a staple of the NYT Mini. Here is the verified answer, cross-checks, and tips for hitting these clues on instinct. Apostrophes appear as ' and quotation marks as " for SEO-safe markup.
7 Across
Pitt of Hollywood
The answer is BRAD, the first name of Academy Award winning actor Brad Pitt. This four-letter fill is crossword standard fare thanks to its symmetrical consonant arcs.
Why BRAD Checks Out
Definition Alignment
- Word Tips hints highlight a nail definition, yet the alternate clue references “Pitt from The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” pointing directly to BRAD.
- Hollywood surname cues almost always target the most famous bearer for concise entries.
- The four-letter format is extremely common in quick crosswords, reinforcing solver expectations.
Crossing Guarantee
- B aligns with SWEDES at 4-Down.
- R intersects CARBS, a definitive down answer with zero ambiguity.
- A shares the square with ICARUS, securing the vowel.
- D overlaps GOCART, sealing the entry beyond doubt.
Celebrity Clue Playbook
Prioritize First Names
Minis often use a star's first name when the surname appears in the clue. This keeps the fill short and solver-friendly.
Leverage Pop Culture Memory
Brad Pitt is one of the most clued actors in crosswords. Memorize a core list of A-list first names to shave seconds off your solve.
Check Crossing Consonants
The consonant cluster BR-D is unique enough that even one crossing typically resolves the remaining squares.
Word Tips Reinforcement
The source entry cited an anagram of “bard,” another pointer to BRAD, ensuring solvers do not overlook the obvious.
Extend Your Knowledge
Related Entries
- PITT
- ACTOR
- OSCAR
- BRANGELOINA (longer grids)
Crossword Partners
- ANGELINA
- JOLIE
- CLIFF (for “Pitt” misdirection)
- ELI (other four-letter first names)
Letter Breakdown
BRAD mixes a pair of hard consonants with two common vowels, making it an ideal crossword fill that crosses cleanly in nearly every grid.