Brad Pitt has been shying away from the public eye since his divorce with Angelina Jolie. This was until he attends the star-studded Gersh Oscar Party on Thursday.

Pitt has been hiding from public appearances but on Thursday night, the 54-year-old surprised everyone when he went to the pre-Oscars event at Chateau Marmont with his manager, Cynthia Pett-Dante. The World War Z actor was noticeably in a lighter mood at the event attended by A-listers and Hollywood's who's who.

An insider present at the event observed Pitt remained "low-key, but in a good way." Surfacing photographs showed the Fight Club star gamely smiling for the camera, at least for 30 minutes he was there.

"He was in a happy mood. He did not stay long, but while inside he spent time speaking with friends," the source narrated.

Pitt, who was sporting a salt and pepper beard, and clad with a black jacket, scarf, and hat, instantly became the topic of celebrity attendees. Another source revealed that he was socializing, casually engaging in talks. Some of the celebrities present at the event were Angela Bassett, Margot Robbie, Elizabeth Olsen, Joe Keery, and Richard Jenkins.

But an E! source explained Pitt was there to extend his congratulations to Jenkins and Sam Rockwell for their nominations for best supporting role. The 70-year-old actor and Pitt worked together in the films Killing Them Softly and Burn After Reading. The Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri actor also got to work with Pitt in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.

Rekindling Romance?

This was Pitt's first appearance since news broke out that his ex, Jennifer Aniston, and husband Justin Theroux called it quits after two years of being married. Fans of the former couple were quick to again ship the two as now they're both free of commitment.

But a source denounced this, saying albeit the two had kept their communication open, they have just stayed friends. The insider added that Pitt and Aniston had been in touch since 2005.

Additionally, Pitt's public appearance came just as it was announced he and Leonardo DiCaprio, known Hollywood stalwarts, were tapped for Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, slated for an Aug. 9, 2019 premiere.

Meanwhile, for those living under the rock, Pitt's appearance is a shocker primarily because he had been avoiding the spotlight since his split with Jolie in September 2016. The power couple met on the set of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, released in 2005, where they were paired opposite each other.

Jolie and Pitt share six children, Maddox, 16; Pax, 14; Zahara, 12; Shiloh, 11; and Knox and Vivienne, 9.

Tags: Brad Pitt Angelina Jolie Jennifer Aniston Brad Pitt Angelina Jolie Divorce