In the wake of yesterday’s Oscar nominations announcement, seemingly every actor nominated has issued statements. Some are touching, some are purely professional, and all are ass-kissy – you can read some of the statements here. I was drawn to Brad Pitt’s statement, of course, because he actually gave an interview to the Today Show after his nomination came out, and he has more to say than “It’s an honor, blah, blah.”

Brad Pitt’s six kids with Angelina Jolie are in for a treat!

“It’s gonna be pancakes for everyone this morning!” the 48-year-old actor said when he phoned in to the Today show Tuesday morning. Just minutes earlier, the Moneyball actor was nominated in the Best Actor category at the 84th Annual Academy Awards.

Pitt — who will face off against George Clooney (The Descendants), Gary Oldman (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), Jean Dujardin (The Artist) and Demian Bichir (A Better Life) — said he’s “ecstatic” to be recognized.

“It means so much considering this film was just dead on the rocks two years ago,” Pitt said. “It took a lot of people, a lot of artisans and craftsmen, to get it to the screen. It’s a great honor, a real tribute to Billy Beane and Oakland A’s organization. I’m really happy.”

The actor’s 28-year-old costar Jonah Hill also scored his first Academy Award nomination in the Best Supporting Actor category. “I’m so happy for Jonah Hill,” Pitt raved. “I can’t tell you.”

Moneyball wasn’t the only film to earn Pitt praise. “I’m doubly happy that Tree of Life made it in there,” he said. “We thought we were all but forgotten; just excited for [director and nominee] Terry Malick.”

The actor and producer, who’s been in love with 36-year-old Jolie since 2005, said he’s looking forward to seeing Clooney, 50, at the show.

“It’s more fun to have a friend there, and no one does it better than George,” Pitt said. “I say give him all the trophies, and when you run out of trophies, make some new ones and give him those, too.”

[From Us Weekly]

That’s interesting that Brad is coming out in support of Clooney too – much like Clooney has been talking up Brad’s nominations throughout this awards season too. While it’s easy to think that they’re two controlling type-A ballbusters who are just needling each other publicly, I think there is a genuine warmth between the two men. Clooney wants to win, of course, but if he lost to Brad, I don’t think he would be too worked up about it. And dear God, I hope Clooney does lose to Brad. I’ve discussed how much I loved Moneyball – I think it’s one of Brad’s best career performances, and worthy of an Oscar.

Oh, and I love that Brad gave a shout-out to Jonah Hill, who was also amazing in Moneyball. Can you believe that Jonah Hill is an Oscar nominee now? Incredible.

Photos courtesy of WENN.