Time Magazine’s annual list of the one hundred most influential people in the world came out this weekend. Time splits up their lists into five categories: leaders & revolutionaries; builders & titans; artists & entertainers; heroes & icons; and scientists & thinkers. Several of the expected people made the list: President Obama, Secretary Clinton, President Sarkozy were all named in the leaders section. Artists and entertainers recognized included Penelope Cruz, Kate Winslet, John Legend, M.I.A., Rush Limbaugh, Tina Fey and Zac Efron.

What always strikes me as a celebrity-watcher is which celebrities made the list for a reason other than entertainment value. Angelina Jolie has made the list for several years, but this year she was forgotten, sort of. She wasn’t named one of the most influential people, but she did write a short essay about one of the “Heroes”, a Cambodian women’s and children’s rights activist named Somaly Mam. Also on the “Heroes & Icons” part of list, Time chose to include George Clooney (for his Darfur work, in an essay penned by Bono), Oprah Winfrey (essay by Michelle Obama), Sarah Palin (in an essay penned by Ann Coulter) and Michelle Obama (essay by Oprah).

One the most unexpected inclusions on the list was Brad Pitt – because he wasn’t named as an entertainer, hero or icon. Brad was included in the “builders and titans” part, all for his work with Make It Right NOLA. In a surprisingly lovely essay, James Carville and Mary Matalin write about Brad’s affection and work for the city. Carville and Matalin are famously Democratic and Republican (respectively) political operatives and pundits, as well as a married couple raising their family in New Orleans. Here’s what they had to say about Brad:

During the civil rights movement, the distinction was made between those who would “talk the talk” — i.e., attend parties, fundraisers and speeches — and those who would be willing to “walk the walk” — that is, use their bodies as a backstop for nightsticks and clubs.

In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the news media and New Orleans itself were inundated with people who were willing to talk the talk. And from this gaggle of talkers emerged one who took the long walk with our city.

Brad Pitt found, after listening to residents, that this horrible man-made disaster created an opportunity to build something better than what had existed before. From starting the Make It Right Foundation, which is building hundreds of affordable and sustainable homes in the Lower Ninth Ward and elsewhere in the city, to his advocacy on behalf of New Orleans with congressional leaders to his filming of the movie The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which featured our city so beautifully, Pitt has remained committed to the people of New Orleans.

We knew we were getting a Sexiest Man Alive, and we soon found we got the most committed one too.

At a time when New Orleans’ future — and an entire culture — hangs in the balance, one of the most sought-after actors in the world and our fellow New Orleanian hasn’t simply helped people; he’s also given them their lives back. Pitt, 45, has brought life and hope to the nation’s most unique city and one we’re proud to call home. In a place that has been described as “the city that care forgot,” it is a fact that Brad Pitt never forgot to care.

From Time Magazine

While Brad was out promoting The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, he said several times that this will be the year that the first phase of Make It Right NOLA will complete the initial 100 homes. Brad started the organization in 2005, only a few months after the Hurricane Katrina. There are already several homes up right now, and they have some really beautiful pictures of the eco-friendly homes up on the website.

Even though I usually hate the most beautiful or sexiest lists, I tend to enjoy both Time’s “most influential” list, as well as their Person/people of the year lists. They’re always good reads, and usually the essays are thought-provoking and interesting. Some other notable reads were Ted Kennedy, essay by Arnold Schwarzenegger, Stella McCartney by Gwyneth “GOOP” Paltrow, and M.I.A. by Spike Jonze.

Brad Pitt and George Clooney are shown at the Venice Film Festival on 8/28/08. Credit: WENN.com