Sultry Canadian actress Jane McLean of The Time Traveler’s Wife said she didn’t recognise Brad Pitt when she met him on the movie’s set. The problem may have been fatigue, but it is more likely to be the fact that he had plopped himself on a couch she intends to buy once shooting is done.

“I actually didn’t know that it was Brad Pitt when I met him. It was quite embarrassing,” the 35-year-old said.

Pitt is an executive producer on Time Traveler, which features Hollywood hunk Eric Bana and another Canadian, the up-and-coming Rachel McAdams.

Pitt showed up wearing a page-boy cap to the set in Toronto one day and sat on the blue sofa McLean wants after it is no longer needed as a prop.

McLean recalled she was tired from her 12-hour work day. “It was just Eric and I, we were trying to finish up this last really quick shot, and from the corner of my eye I see someone sitting on my couch! I’m [thinking]: ‘Who is sitting on my couch? You better not put your feet up on my couch because I’m buying it and taking it home’.”

Pitt came over to introduce himself as “Brad” and later said goodbye. McLean shook his hand and exchanged pleasantries, but that was that.

“So I take off, I get in the car, the driver says to me: ‘Oh, that Mr Pitt’s a really nice guy,”‘ she said, her eyes widening. “I thought: ‘Oh my God, that was Brad Pitt!”‘