James Brolin – His Movies, Career, and Family Life
For more than six decades, James Brolin has been a fixture on American screens, moving from television heartthrob to respected character actor. Best known to modern audiences as the husband of Barbra Streisand and the father of Josh Brolin, his own career includes an Emmy, two Golden Globes, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Born in Los Angeles in 1940, Brolin started acting in the early 1960s and found lasting fame as Dr. Steven Kiley on Marcus Welby, M.D. His filmography spans cult classics like Westworld (1973) and Capricorn One (1978), as well as voice work in Pixar’s Lightyear (2022). Beyond the camera, he has also worked as a producer and director.
This article pieces together verified details about his life, career earnings, family relationships, and the milestones that shaped his long run in Hollywood.
What Are James Brolin’s Most Famous Movies and TV Shows?
Brolin’s career divides roughly into two lanes: long-running television series that made him a household name, and film roles that have aged into genre favorites. The overview below captures the essential facts at a glance.
Key Career Insights
- James Brolin is a Golden Globe and Emmy-winning actor with over 140 screen credits.
- His breakthrough role came as Dr. Steven Kiley on Marcus Welby, M.D. (1969–1976).
- He played Peter McDermott on the prime-time drama Hotel (1983–1988) for five seasons.
- In 2003 he portrayed Ronald Reagan in the television film The Reagans.
- He voiced Emperor Zurg in the 2022 Pixar animated feature Lightyear.
- Brolin earned a Primetime Emmy Award in 1970 for Outstanding Supporting Actor and won two Golden Globe Awards between 1971 and 1973.
Snapshot Facts
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | July 18, 1940, Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Birth Name | Craig Kenneth Bruderlin |
| Occupation | Actor, Producer, Director |
| Years Active | 1961–present |
| Spouse(s) | Barbra Streisand (m. 1998); previous marriages to Jane Cameron Agee (m. 1966–1972) and Jan Smithers (m. 1983–1986) |
| Children | Josh Brolin (b. 1968), Jess Brolin (b. 1972) |
Brolin never appeared in the 2010 musical film Burlesque; that query likely stems from a confusion with another project or actor. His son Josh Brolin, however, has starred in many high-profile films such as No Country for Old Men and the Marvel Avengers series.
For a complete list of credits, the IMDb page maintains an up-to-date filmography. Rotten Tomatoes aggregates audience and critic scores for his major releases.
Who Is James Brolin Married To?
James Brolin has been married three times. His current and most high-profile marriage is to singer, actress, and filmmaker Barbra Streisand. The couple wed on July 1, 1998, and remain together as of 2025. They were introduced by a mutual friend in the mid-1990s and have been described by those close to them as one of Hollywood’s most stable long-term pairs.
Brolin and Streisand have been married for over 27 years, making their union one of the longest-lasting among prominent entertainment industry couples who wed later in life.
Previous Marriages
Before Streisand, Brolin was married to Jane Cameron Agee from 1966 until their divorce in 1972. Jane is the mother of his eldest son, actor Josh Brolin. His second marriage was to actress Jan Smithers, best known for her role on WKRP in Cincinnati; that marriage lasted from 1983 to 1986. No further details about the reasons for either divorce are widely documented.
How James Brolin Met Barbra Streisand
According to several entertainment news outlets, Brolin and Streisand were set up by a friend in 1996. They connected quickly and were married two years later in a private ceremony at their home in Malibu. The marriage brought together two major Hollywood careers, though both have continued to work independently.
Does James Brolin Have a Son?
Yes. James Brolin is the father of three children: sons Josh Brolin and Jess Brolin, and a daughter named Elizabeth Brolin. Josh is by far the most publicly visible of the three, having built a prominent film career of his own.
Josh Brolin: A Successful Actor in His Own Right
Josh Brolin was born in 1968 to James and Jane Cameron Agee. He earned an Academy Award nomination for his supporting role in Milk (2008) and is widely known for performances in No Country for Old Men, The Goonies, the Avengers franchise (as Thanos), and Dune. It is not uncommon for online searches to confuse James’s achievements with his son’s; for example, James did not win a Golden Globe for No Country for Old Men or any Marvel film — those accolades belong to Josh.
A detailed look at his son’s trajectory is available in the Lee Majors biography, which covers similar territory of Hollywood fathers and sons from overlapping eras. For Josh Brolin specifically, his own filmography and career milestones are tracked on the Wikipedia page for James, which notes the father-son relationship explicitly.
Jess Brolin and Elizabeth Brolin
James’s other son, Jess Brolin, and daughter, Elizabeth Brolin, have largely remained out of the public spotlight. Jess was born in 1972, also to Jane Cameron Agee. Elizabeth’s background and career are not widely reported in entertainment media. James is also a grandfather to Adam Brolin.
What Is James Brolin’s Net Worth?
Estimating the net worth of a long-career actor involves piecing together public records, real estate holdings, and reported salaries from decades of work. For James Brolin, the most consistently cited figure is around $50 million as of 2024, according to CelebrityNetWorth. However, estimates vary.
Some sources place Brolin’s net worth as high as $100 million, but the $50 million figure is the most frequently repeated across entertainment finance trackers. No official audited statement of his assets exists in public records.
Unlike blockbuster stars who earn massive single-film paydays, Brolin’s wealth reflects decades of steady television work, directing credits, and real estate investments. His 27-year marriage to Barbra Streisand, whose own net worth is estimated much higher, has also contributed to combined household assets.
How He Built His Wealth
Brolin’s income streams include acting salaries from seven seasons of Marcus Welby, M.D., five seasons of Hotel, and a recurring role on Life in Pieces (2015–2019). He has also directed television movies, including The Return of the Six-Million-Dollar Man (1983), and produced several projects. Real estate holdings in California, including property shared with Streisand, add to his portfolio.
How Old Is James Brolin and What Was He Like as a Young Actor?
Born on July 18, 1940, in Los Angeles, California, James Brolin was 84 years old in 2024 and turned 85 in July 2025. He began his career as a young character actor in the early 1960s, appearing in guest spots on popular television series of the era.
Career Timeline
- 1940 – Born in Los Angeles, California.
- 1961 – Television debut on The Loretta Young Show; also appeared in an episode of Bus Stop.
- 1969–1976 – Cast as Dr. Steven Kiley on Marcus Welby, M.D.; wins Primetime Emmy Award in 1970.
- 1972 – Stars in the television movie Short Walk to Daylight.
- 1973 – Appears in the sci-fi western film Westworld as John Blane.
- 1983 – Directs his first film, The Return of the Six-Million-Dollar Man.
- 1998 – Marries Barbra Streisand; receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 27.
- 2015–2019 – Co-stars as John Short in the CBS comedy series Life in Pieces.
- 2022 – Voices Emperor Zurg in the Pixar animated film Lightyear.
- 2025 – Continues to take on new acting projects.
In his youth, Brolin was known for a rugged, clean-cut look that suited the 1960s and 1970s television landscape. Guest roles on Batman, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, and The Virginian helped him build experience before landing his landmark role in Marcus Welby, M.D.
What Is Certain and What Remains Unclear About James Brolin?
When writing about a figure with decades in the public eye, some facts are solidly documented while others rely on estimates or secondary reporting. The table below separates what is established from what remains open to interpretation.
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Birth date: July 18, 1940, in Los Angeles, California. | Exact net worth: estimates range from roughly $10–$20 million to as high as $100 million; $50 million is the most commonly cited figure. |
| Marriage to Barbra Streisand on July 1, 1998, is confirmed by multiple public records. | Exact dates of his earlier marriages to Jane Cameron Agee and Jan Smithers are approximate in some sources. |
| He did not appear in the film Burlesque (2010); this is a clear factual error in some online queries. | Details of his personal finances and investment portfolio are not publicly audited. |
| He has over 140 film and television credits since 1961. | The exact number of uncredited or minor early appearances is not comprehensively cataloged. |
What Broader Context Surrounds James Brolin’s Career?
James Brolin’s career spans more than six decades, a period that saw Hollywood shift from the studio system to the era of streaming. He began as a television guest star in the early 1960s, became a primetime star in the 1970s, and adapted into character and voice roles in the 2000s and 2010s. This longevity is relatively rare among actors who peaked in the network television era.
His marriage to Barbra Streisand brought him a new level of public attention later in life, but his own achievements — including two Golden Globes, an Emmy, and a Hollywood Walk of Fame star — predate that relationship. He is frequently described as the father of Josh Brolin in search queries, yet his own body of work stands on its own merits.
Brolin’s net worth, while subject to estimation, reflects the income pattern of a successful television actor rather than the blockbuster paydays of film stars. His directing credits, while modest in number, show a willingness to work behind the camera as well.
Where Does the Information About James Brolin Come From?
The most reliable sources for James Brolin’s biography are encyclopedic databases and entertainment industry registries. Below are the key references used to compile this article.
“James Brolin is an American actor, producer and director. He won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 1970 for his role as Dr. Steven Kiley on Marcus Welby, M.D., and two Golden Globe Awards.”
“Brolin received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 27, 1998, for his contributions to the television industry.”
“James Brolin is the father of actor Josh Brolin and the husband of Barbra Streisand. His net worth is estimated at $50 million.”
Additional credit information was cross-referenced with TV Guide for verified show credits and broadcast history.
What Is the Essential Summary of James Brolin’s Story?
James Brolin built a durable career in television and film over six decades, earning top industry awards and a lasting public profile. He is the husband of Barbra Streisand, the father of Josh Brolin, and an accomplished actor in his own right with more than 140 screen credits. His estimated net worth of around $50 million reflects steady work rather than blockbuster paydays, and he continues to accept new roles. For a comparable story from the same era, the Goldie Hawn biography offers another example of a Hollywood career that has spanned decades with enduring public affection.
Frequently Asked Questions About James Brolin
What was James Brolin’s first acting role?
His debut was on the TV show The Loretta Young Show in 1961.
How many children does James Brolin have?
He has three children: sons Josh Brolin and Jess Brolin, and a daughter, Elizabeth Brolin.
Is James Brolin still acting?
Yes, he continues to take on roles in television and film. His most recent major credit was voicing Emperor Zurg in Lightyear (2022).
Did James Brolin direct any movies?
Yes, he directed TV movies and episodes, including The Return of the Six-Million-Dollar Man (1983).
What is James Brolin’s birth name?
He was born Craig Kenneth Bruderlin and changed his surname to Brolin at age 20.
When did James Brolin marry Barbra Streisand?
They married on July 1, 1998, in a private ceremony in Malibu, California.
Did James Brolin appear in the film Burlesque?
No. He did not appear in the 2010 film Burlesque. This is a common online confusion.
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