Brad Pitt was Ocean's 12's trick to avoid paparazzi

Don Cheadle and his Oceans 12 His colleagues know how to deal with the odd paparazzi. This week, the actor revealed his secret weapon for avoiding constant cameras on the set of the 2004 film: distract the press with Brad Pitt.

Cheadle played in Ocean's Twelvea sequel to 2001 Ocean's Elevenalongside George Clooney, Matt Damon and Brad Pitt, among others.

“When we were in Italy, where we shot the second film, we had a whole floor of a hotel. We kind of had to, because, I mean, 'paparazzi' is an Italian word,” Cheadle said at the COnan O'Brien needs a friend Podcast. “If the paparazzi came, I'd be with George or Matt or something and we'd be like, 'Look, there's Brad!' and they'd all just –” and Cheadle made a 'whoosh!' gesture. “'Is that Brad?!'”

At the time Ocean's TwelveBrad Pitt's fame was hard to imagine even then, said Cheadle.

“I can still just walk around,” he said. “I don't really get disturbed. Someone says something or I know someone recognizes me, but mostly I'm inconspicuous – I don't think Brad can do that… He can't go anywhere.”

Cheadle continued with a reflection on fame. “It's tough,” he said. “People say, 'Well, what did you expect?' They think that's the contract: 'I should go up to you, put my hat on your head and take your picture. What's going on? I paid for it.' 'No, no. I did it, and you paid for it, and we shook hands, and now I'm just a human being out here.'”