Key Points:
- Josh Brolin has been sober for over a decade, crediting a life-changing moment in 2013.
- The actor shares insights from his memoir, From Under the Truck, detailing his journey.
- Sobriety brought clarity, joy, and more fun into his life.
- He reflects on blunt conversations and their role in shaping his sobriety.
Josh Brolin on Choosing Sobriety
In 2013, Josh Brolin made a life-changing decision to quit alcohol after visiting his grandmother’s deathbed while intoxicated.
“I knew that was going to be the last time I drank,” he revealed in a recent interview with The Times.
Shortly after, he entered rehab to start his sobriety journey.
Reflecting on his upbringing, Brolin admitted, “I was born to drink. I was birthed to drink.” He shared that his mother’s drinking habits heavily influenced him. He added, “I was raised to be a man and drink like the male equivalent of my mother.”
Brolin credits aging with making sobriety easier.
“I like getting older. It’s like a great excuse to finally go, ‘OK, just mellow out, you don’t need to constantly spin,'” he said.
READ MORE: Winter Soldier: Bucky Barnes’ Journey Explained
Sobriety’s Impact on Life and Career
Brolin now embraces a life free from alcohol, sharing, “I love being sober. I have more fun.” He acknowledged that sobriety helps him face life’s challenges more effectively, saying,
“There’s nothing that I go through that I am absolutely certain wouldn’t be worse if I was drinking.”
The actor reflected on a pivotal conversation with Barbra Streisand, his stepmother. When he once asked her for wine, she bluntly replied, “But aren’t you a drunk?” Brolin appreciated her honesty, saying,
“There’s nothing I ultimately appreciate more in anybody than an ability to just say it, regardless of the reaction.”
Early in his career, Brolin struggled with the sudden attention after starring in films like W. and No Country for Old Men. He described the overwhelming nature of success, saying,
“I wasn’t in the greatest frame of mind then. There was a lot of attention all of a sudden … amazing people wanting to talk.”
Today, Brolin shares two children with his wife Kathryn Boyd, whom he married in 2016, and two children from his first marriage to Alice Adair.
READ MORE: OG Karate Kid Star Exits Karate Kid: Legends ahead of Cobra Kai Finale
Josh Brolin’s Hollywood Breakthrough
Josh Brolin, born on February 12, 1968, in Santa Monica, California, is the son of actor James Brolin. Despite being surrounded by Hollywood early on, Brolin faced numerous challenges before achieving stardom.
His breakout role came in 1985 with The Goonies, but his career truly took off after No Country for Old Men (2007), where he portrayed Llewellyn Moss. The film earned critical acclaim, showcasing Brolin’s talent and earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Other notable performances include:
- Thanos in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame).
- Dan White in Milk (2008), further solidifying his reputation.
- George W. Bush in Oliver Stone’s W. (2008).
- Cable in Deadpool 2 (2018).
- Roles in True Grit (2010), Sicario (2015), and Dune: Part Two (2024).
READ MORE: Enid Sinclair: More Than Just a Quirky Side Character in Wednesday
Josh Brolin Overcoming Challenges and Uncommon Career Turns
Josh Brolin’s path to success wasn’t without setbacks, and his resilience is a hallmark of his career.
Early Career Struggles and Typecasting
Early in his career, Brolin was often typecast as a “jock,” limiting his opportunities. He recalls a Miramax executive once telling him and Benicio Del Toro that they were the worst auditioners she’d ever seen. This criticism fueled his self-doubt but also pushed him to grow as an actor.
Temporary Break from Acting
In his twenties, Brolin took a three-year hiatus from acting to explore stock trading, where he found significant success. He co-founded Marketprobability.com, a website analyzing market trends. Surprisingly, he made more money from this venture than acting during that period, highlighting his adaptability.
Unique Audition Experiences
Brolin competed with Johnny Depp for the lead role in 21 Jump Street. While Depp landed the part, Brolin managed a guest appearance. This instance reflects Hollywood’s unpredictability, with one role shaping a career while another leads to eventual stardom.
Improvisational Brilliance
In Flirting with Disaster (1996), Brolin improvised a scene where he licked Patricia Arquette’s armpit. This bold choice exemplifies his willingness to take creative risks and embrace spontaneity in his work.
A Family Legacy and Presidential Portrayals
Brolin comes from a lineage of Hollywood talent. Both he and his father, James Brolin, have portrayed U.S. Presidents. James played Ronald Reagan, while Josh played George W. Bush in W. (2008). This shared experience adds a unique dimension to his career and family legacy.
Brolin credits his earlier failures for shaping his growth, acknowledging that each “bad performance” taught him invaluable lessons. Today, his dedication to character development and his ability to take on diverse roles make him one of Hollywood’s most respected actors.
READ MORE: How Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldaña Prepared for Their Roles in Emilia Pérez
In addition to his film roles, Brolin has ventured into television, starring in and producing Outer Range on Amazon Prime. With positive reviews for the series and excitement building around Dune: Part Two (2024), Brolin’s career continues to thrive.
Source: ABC News
Stay updated with the Latest News and Stories, follow us on our social media platforms.
You can follow us on:
Stay Connected!! Join our Whatsapp Channel
