Anecdotes

Good friends with Javier Bardem.

Once aspired to be a chef.

Has written various stories and poems based on his mother Jane Cameron Agee (died 1995).

He and father James Brolin have both played U.S. Presidents. James played Ronald Reagan, and Josh played George W. Bush.

Josh and longtime friend Benicio Del Toro were once told by then Miramax Films executive Meryl Poster, that they were the worst auditioners she'd ever witnessed.

He has appeared in five films that have been nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: No Country for Old Men (2007), Harvey Milk (2008), True Grit (2010), Dune : Première Partie (2021) and Dune : Deuxième Partie (2024). No Country for Old Men won in the category.

Brolin was concerned what reception he would have on location in San Francisco for the production of Harvey Milk (2008) playing Dan White, the murderer of the city's famous gay politician, Harvey Milk. However, Brolin found he was warmly welcomed by the gay community for his participation in a film about their political hero.

When he's not working on films, he enjoys racing cars and surfing.

He was considered to play Batman in Batman v Superman : L'Aube de la justice (2016), before Ben Affleck was cast.

Loves playing the stock market and is an avid day trader. He's so serious about playing Wall Street, he's got the trade station with three computer screens going simultaneously in his house in Los Angeles. He also co-created marketprobability.com, a website giving investors historical stock overviews.

Is a huge fan of John Cassavetes, stating that he has watched Une femme sous influence (1974) more than 40 times.

Son of actor James Brolin and Jane Cameron Agee (died 1995).

Has a rare distinction of appearing in five different film franchises based on five different comic book publications. He plays the Marvel Comics character Thanos in the expansive Marvel Cinematic Universe (beginning with Les Gardiens de la Galaxie (2014)), another Marvel Comics character Cable/Nathan Summers (beginning with Deadpool 2 (2018)) in X-Men franchise , a young Agent K in Men in Black 3 (2012) in the Malibu/Marvel Comics "Men in Black" franchise, the titular character in DC Comics' Jonah Hex (2010), and Dwight McCarthy in the Dark Horse comics based film Sin City : J'ai tué pour elle (2014).

Was named after the character Josh Randall played by Steve McQueen on the television series Au nom de la loi (1958).

Attended the Film Industry Workshops until the filming of Les Goonies (1985), after which he went back for private coaching from Pat George and Tony Miller. His father, James Brolin, also attended the Film Industry Workshops.

Lived on a ranch in California with Alice Adair and their two children. He spent five years performing in and directing plays at the Reflections Festival at the GeVa Theater in Rochester, New York. Brolin said, "If I'm any kind of actor now it's because of Rochester.". (1996)

He played Eddie Mannix in Ave, César ! (2016) while his ex-wife Diane Lane played Mannix's wife Toni Mannix in Hollywoodland (2006).

In May 2006, two days after being cast in the film, No Country for Old Men (2007), he crashed his motorcycle into a vehicle on Highland Avenue in Los Angeles. Luckily, he only shattered his collarbone and two weeks later, he showed up to start filming.

Trained with Sandra Seacat and Stella Adler.

His son, Trevor Brolin, sketches all his characters before filming.

He was offered the role of Marcus Wright in Terminator Renaissance (2009), which he turned down. The role went to Sam Worthington. Also auditioned for the role of "Wild Bill" Wharton in La Ligne verte (1999), which went to Sam Rockwell.

Was the Fox Network's choice to play Officer Tom Hanson on 21 Jump Street (1987), but producer Patrick Hasburgh preferred Johnny Depp instead.

Hosted the highest viewed Saturday Night Live (1975) in 14 years on October 18, 2008, when Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin made a guest appearance.

Has appeared with Benicio Del Toro in five films: Les Gardiens de la Galaxie (2014), Inherent Vice (2014), Sicario (2015), Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Sicario : La Guerre des cartels (2018).

Stepson of Barbra Streisand. Ex-stepson of Jan Smithers.

Announced engagement to his girlfriend of two years, Minnie Driver. (avril 2001)

Father of Eden Brolin and Trevor Brolin.

He is of English, Swiss-German, German, Scottish, and Irish descent. His father's original family surname, Bruderlin, originates in Switzerland.

Engaged to actress Diane Lane. (juillet 2003)

He won the 24th Annual Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race in Long Beach, California in April 2000 - 22 years after his father won the tournament. This took him just over 18 minutes to complete the course. He outshone 17 other celebrity and professional drivers including George Lucas, John Elway, and actresses Ashley Judd, Melissa Joan Hart and Alyson Hannigan.

Ended engagement and relationship with actress Minnie Driver. (octobre 2001)

Older brother of Jess Brolin and older half-brother of Molly Brolin (aka Molly Elizabeth Brolin). Stepbrother of actor Jason Gould.

Auditioned for the role of "Wild Bill" Wharton in La Ligne verte (1999), which went to Sam Rockwell.

Ex-stepfather of Diane Lane's daughter, Eleanor Lambert, from Lane's first marriage to Christopher Lambert.

He was co-executive director of Geva Theatre's "Reflections" (three American plays in rotating repertory) from 1991 to 1995 with Anthony Zerbe.

He has appeared in two films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: Les Goonies (1985) and No Country for Old Men (2007).

Is one of 105 people invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in 2008.

Collects the art of Malcolm Liepke and Ernst Neizvestny.

He was considered for the role of Johnny Rico in Starship Troopers (1997).

First professional theatre role was in Forgiving Typhoid Mary in Rochester, New York.

Attended the 2003 Golden Globe Awards with Diane Lane.

Born on exactly the same date as Chynna Phillips (of Wilson Phillips fame).

Born at 10:22am-PST.