Trivia

Good friends with Javier Bardem.

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

Once aspired to be a chef.

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.

Brolin was concerned what reception he would have on location in San Francisco for the production of 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.

He has appeared in four films that have been nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: No Country for Old Men (2007), Milk (2008), True Grit (2010) and Dune: Part One (2021). No Country for Old Men won in the category.

He was considered to play Batman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), before Ben Affleck was cast.

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

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.

Was named after the character Josh Randall played by Steve McQueen on the television series Wanted: Dead or Alive (1958).

Is a huge fan of John Cassavetes, stating that he has watched A Woman Under the 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 Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)), another Marvel Comics character Cable/Nathan Summers (beginning with Deadpool 2 (2018)) in X-Men franchise , a young Agent K in Men in Black³ (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: A Dame to Kill For (2014).

Attended the Film Industry Workshops until the filming of The 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 Hail, Caesar! (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.

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.

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

Trained with Sandra Seacat and Stella Adler.

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

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

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

Has appeared with Benicio Del Toro in five films: Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Inherent Vice (2014), Sicario (2015), Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Sicario: Day of the Soldado (2018).

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

Father of Eden Brolin and Trevor Brolin.

Engaged to actress Diane Lane. (July 2003)

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

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

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.

Auditioned for the role of "Wild Bill" Wharton in The Green Mile (1999), which went to Sam Rockwell.

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

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.

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

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: The Goonies (1985) and No Country for Old Men (2007).

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.