Adrien Brody Bonded with Tupac, Did 'Thug Life' Graffiti with Him Off the Set of Their 1996 FilmBullet

Mar. 15, 2025

Adrien Brody (left), Tupac Shakur in the 1990s.Photo:Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty; Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty; Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Adrien Brodyrecalls the early days of his career and spending time with an unlikely friend.

The Brutalistactor, 51, took a stroll down memory lane withVariety. In the conversation, the actor said he considered his breakout role to be the 1996 filmBullet, starringMickey RourkeandTupac Shakur.

“Working with ’Pac was amazing. He was incredibly focused. We hung out a lot when we did the movie,” Brody recalls.

“We spent a lot of time together, and he became quite close with Mickey. And Mickey really took me under his wing at that time.”

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Mickey Rourke and Adrien Brody in “Bullet” in 1996.Richard Blanshard/Getty

Richard Blanshard/Getty

Recalling nights out together, the actor says the rapper was already well into his career, but hadn’t reached the peak of his mega stardom just yet.

“He had a big rap career, but he was not ‘Tupac’ yet. He didn’t even have ‘Thug Life’ tattooed on his chest yet,” Brody noted.

“We were writing graffiti together, and he was writing ‘Thug Life.’ I didn’t know what he was referencing.”

Tupac Shakur and Mickey Rourke in “Bullet” in 1996.Richard Blanshard/Getty

In addition toBullet, Shakur was also known for roles inJuice,Above the Rim, Gang RelatedandPoetic Justice.

His murder has remained unsolved, thoughpolice recently searched a house in suburban Las Vegas for evidencetied to the 1996 homicide.

source: people.com