Brad Pitt's...

[PeteP]

Yes, Dave F is correct - Richard Todd was a captain in the Parachute Regiment and was at Pegasus Bridge. However, in the film The Longest Day, he played Major John Howard and not "Ron Frost" (who I've never heard of, to be honest).

I have a copy of a fascinating interview with Todd in which he reveals that the film makers wanted him to play himself in the film but he refused, pointing out that although he was there, he did "nothing special". He felt he'd never again be able to show his face in the Airborne Forces Club if they "wrote up" his part in the battle in traditional Hollywood style! There was one little nod to his actual presence at Pegasus Bridge in the film when he (as Howard) speaks to a young Parachute Regiment officer whom he calls "Sweeny". It seemed to amuse him no end that he talked to himself in the film.
Pete

[Chris Trott]

I just realized I left off one of my personal favorite "famous" pilots - Cliff Robertson. He never owned anything special after the war except maybe a surplus L-4 (Cub), but he flew B-17s in the war.

There's also Jimmy Stewart who flew all sorts of planes while in the USAF Reserve after the war, including getting his Mach 2+ pin flying a TB-58 Hustler after the conclusion of filming "Champion of Champions", but I think the most he owned as a civilian was a light twin. He was much more interested in Radio Controlled and plastic model airplanes outside of "work", even though he loved flying.

[DaveB]

Yes.. it was probably Cliff Robertson I was thinking of. One of the reasons his portrayal of 'Grant' in 633 Squadron was convincing was because he actually knew what he was doing and didn't have to 'so much' act the cockpit scenes. I knew I'd get there in the end

When DaveF mentioned the Para's.. I knew that was right for Richard Todd. Still.. he was good as Guy Gibson in the Dambusters

Jimmy Stewart.. yes, that's another good one Chris

ATB
DaveB

[Chris Trott]

I believe that I read somewhere that Cliff actually checked out in the Mossie either during the war or during the filming of "633 Sqn", making it even more "correct". This was before the real restrictions on letting your stars fly during filming a movie came in. Back then, as long as it wasn't an "experimental" airplane (i.e. something like the BD-5J or the Phoenix) then the studio usually let you fly non-stunt flying on and off film.