Josh Brolin’s journey from a struggling young actor to one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed stars is a compelling tale of perseverance, humility, and personal growth. His candid insights into overcoming nepotism and defining his own path, especially during his early career with The Goonies, highlight the complexities of being a legacy actor in Hollywood.
Carrying the Brolin Name: A Double-Edged Sword
As the son of iconic actor James Brolin, Josh Brolin faced unique challenges during the infancy of his acting career. While many assume that familial connections would ease his rise in Hollywood, Brolin faced skepticism instead. Recalling his early auditions for The Goonies, he said:
“I went in there, and they pulled the Brolin thing, [saying], ‘Are you James Brolin’s kid? You want to be an actor, huh?’” he shared on the podcast Literally! With Rob Lowe. “So instead of that nepotistic thing working in my favor, it was like, ‘Oh yeah? So act.’”
This experience encapsulates the dual pressures faced by many second-generation actors. On the one hand, their family’s name provides opportunities, but on the other, they must prove their talent to silence doubts about nepotism.
Six Auditions and a Dose of Humility
Securing the role of Brand Walsh in The Goonies was far from a straightforward process for Brolin. He underwent six rigorous auditions before being cast. Reflecting on this, he admitted:
“I just looked right for the part. You look at Sean Astin, you look at the type of movie it is. I looked like a bit of a bad boy but sort of a jock, and I was in good shape, so they were like, ‘That’s the guy.’”
Still, landing the role wasn’t just about appearances. To disprove assumptions about his career being handed to him, Brolin turned to theater and intensive self-study.
The Books and Theories That Bolstered Brolin’s Craft
Determined to hone his skills, Brolin delved into classic theater training and the works of renowned figures like Konstantin Stanislavski, Jerzy Grotowski, and Antonin Artaud. He reflected:
“I studied. I got [Stanislavski] books, [Jerzy] Grotowski, and Antonin Artaud’s Theatre of Cruelty. I stayed in a bookstore 90 percent of the time. Just reading, reading, reading.”
This approach not only shaped his technical understanding of acting but also instilled a strong work ethic and discipline that guided him to success.
Spielberg’s Sharp Words: The Lesson That Changed Everything
Despite his preparation, Brolin still encountered humbling moments. One such instance happened on the set of The Goonies, where he approached executive producer Steven Spielberg with a deeply conceptual pitch involving his performance. Brolin recounted:
“I came to Steven at some point, we were in one of the tunnels, and I said, ‘Hey, Steven, can I talk to you for a second?’ I said, ‘Don’t you think the tunnels kind of represent my mother’s womb? And what if we film me climbing up the tunnel, but really I’m trying to cut that emotional umbilical cord of my mother, and I could have tears coming down my face?’”
Spielberg’s blunt response—“Why don’t you just act? Just say the words on the page, you’ll be fine.”—initially startled Brolin. However, the young actor took the advice as a valuable lesson in trusting the process:
“I could have been like, ‘Dick!’ but I didn’t. I was like, ‘Oh, totally. I got it.’”
The Legacy of ‘The Goonies’ and Brolin’s Growth
Released in 1985, The Goonies became a beloved classic, catapulting Brolin and his co-stars—including Sean Astin, Corey Feldman, and Ke Huy Quan—into the spotlight. For Brolin, however, the film represented more than his Hollywood debut; it was his proving ground and a pivotal learning experience. Reflecting on his journey, Brolin often credits The Goonies with teaching him perseverance, self-belief, and the importance of humility.
A Broader Conversation on Nepotism in Hollywood
Brolin’s early struggles offer a nuanced perspective on the nepotism debate in Hollywood. While many second-generation actors benefit from access and opportunities, their path is also fraught with heightened scrutiny. Rather than coasting on his family’s name, Brolin embraced hard work and training to establish his unique identity in the film industry. As The Goonies showed, success requires both talent and effort.
What’s Next for Brolin?
Now 56 years old, Josh Brolin continues to dominate Hollywood with his versatile performances. From reprising his role as Gurney Halleck in Dune: Part Two to his iconic turn as Thanos in the Avengers franchise, Brolin’s dedication remains evident. Decades after his Goonies debut, he continues to prove that success isn’t simply inherited—it’s earned.