LOS ANGELES — Hollywood heartthrob Brad Pitt made headlines in January 2018 after aggressively bidding $120,000 for the chance to watch an episode of Game of Thrones alongside star Emilia Clarke at a high-profile charity auction.
The moment unfolded during the 7th Annual Sean Penn & Friends Haiti Rising Gala at Milk Studios in Los Angeles on January 6, 2018.
The silent auction item — a private viewing of an episode of the hit HBO series with Clarke — quickly became one of the evening’s most competitive prizes.
Pitt, a known fan of the show, initially bid $80,000 before raising it himself to $90,000.
The stakes escalated further when Clarke’s co-star Kit Harington (Jon Snow) jokingly offered to join the viewing session, prompting Pitt to push his bid all the way to $120,000.
He was seen raising his arms in excitement after the final offer.
Despite the impressive sum, Pitt was ultimately outbid by an anonymous gala attendee, with reports suggesting the winning bid reached approximately $160,000.
The entire experience was intended to benefit Penn’s J/P Haitian Relief Organization.
Emilia Clarke later described the night as surreal and one of the most memorable of her life, recounting the story on talk shows including The Graham Norton Show.
She expressed amusement at the star-studded bidding war that unfolded around her.
The story captured global attention, highlighting both the enduring popularity of Game of Thrones and the extravagant ways celebrities support charitable causes.
Leonardo DiCaprio was also among the notable attendees that evening.
While Pitt did not win the auction, his enthusiastic participation underscored his genuine fandom and willingness to contribute generously to humanitarian efforts.
The event raised significant funds for Haiti relief projects.