Adrien Brody is looking back on an unforgettable time in his early career — working alongside Tupac Shakur in the 1996 film Bullet. While the film starred Mickey Rourke and Frank Senger, it was his experience with Tupac that left a lasting impression.

A Young Brody, an Aspiring Star, and an Icon in the Making

In a recent interview with Variety, Brody shared how he viewed Bullet as his breakout role and how it led to an unlikely friendship with the rap legend. "Working with ’Pac was amazing. He was incredibly focused," Brody recalled. "We hung out a lot when we did the movie."

Although Shakur was already making waves in the hip-hop world at the time, Brody noted that he hadn’t yet reached his iconic status. "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 said.

Graffiti Nights and the Meaning of 'Thug Life'

One of Brody’s most vivid memories is spending time off-set with Tupac, doing graffiti together. "We were writing graffiti together, and he was writing 'Thug Life'.I didn’t know what he was referencing," Brody admitted. The phrase would soon become synonymous with Shakur’s philosophy and public persona.

A Tragic End to a Rising Star

Beyond his role in Bullet, Tupac’s film career included memorable performances in Juice, Above the Rim, Gang Related, and Poetic Justice. However, just months after filming Bullet, his life was tragically cut short. In 1996, at just 25 years old, he was killed in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas — a murder that remains unsolved to this day.

While Tupac’s legacy lives on through his music and films, Brody’s memories offer a rare glimpse into the person behind the icon — a young artist on the verge of becoming a legend, sharing late-night graffiti sessions with a future Oscar-winning actor.