Josh Brolin Says His Family Made Him Stand Out ‘Not in a Good Way’

Josh Brolin Dia Dipasupil/FilmMagic

Josh Brolin knows he has famous parents – but he says that it hasn’t been the advantage one might think.

In a new article with the UK’s Sunday Times, the Goonies actor opened up about his childhood, his sobriety and his new memoir titled From Under the Truck.

Brolin is son to famed actor James Brolin, who was known for TV shows like Marcus Welby, M.D. and films like Catch Me if You Can. He is also the stepson of legendary singer and actress Barbra Streisand, whom James married in 1998.

James Brolin and Josh’s mother, Jane, divorced when Josh was 16, after which he went to live in Los Angeles with his father. Previously, he grew up on a ranch in Paso Robles, California, and then moved to Santa Barbara.

Despite his famous father, Josh, 56, tells The Sunday Times that he is not a nepo baby.

“When I started it was, like, ‘Oh, you’re Brolin’s son,’ but not in a good way. You know, this idea of nepotism and all that, it’s, like, ‘Oh no, there’s people out there that want you to not get the job.’”

Josh also recounted his time landing a part in The Goonies in 1984.

“It was the greatest — I will never have an experience like that. It was an accident. It never should have happened.”

The actor said that while filming, he felt imposter syndrome around the more experienced actors surrounding him, such as Corey Feldman and Ke Huy Quan.

“[I was] a fish out of water but I just kept trying to keep my mouth shut. I ruined the first half-day of filming because I was laughing so hard out of nerves.”

Josh has been sober for over 10 years, and spoke about the ways that it has changed his life for the better.

“I love being sober. I have more fun,” he said, reflecting on the positive ways that it has changed his lifestyle. “There’s nothing that I go through that I am absolutely certain wouldn’t be worse if I was drinking.”

He said that during times he struggled with alcohol use, his famous stepmother was not one to beat around the bush.

He recalled an instance when Streisand spoke her mind on his behavior and his habits. Josh said that he went to the house that his father shared with Streisand and asked for a glass of wine.

Streisand said: “But aren’t you a drunk?”

Josh said he appreciated her response.

“There’s nothing I ultimately appreciate more in anybody than an ability to just say it, regardless of the reaction.”