In his memoir, From Under the Truck, Brolin shares deeply personal stories from his upbringing, describing experiences that were far removed from the glamorous image often associated with Hollywood. Rather than focusing solely on his acting career, the book explores the challenges that shaped him long before he became an Oscar-nominated actor.
One of the most surprising stories involves his late mother, Jane Brolin, a wildlife conservationist. According to Brolin, she sometimes encouraged wild animals—including coyotes, bobcats, and cougars—to chase him and his brother as children. He recalls that the boys had only moments to get behind a closed door before risking scratches and injuries.
Looking back, Brolin has acknowledged that his childhood was complicated. Although some of the memories sound frightening, he has also spoken about the deep love he had for his mother despite their difficult relationship. He has described her as someone who could be challenging to live with, yet someone whose presence he still longed for.
Jane Brolin died in a car accident in 1995 at the age of 55. For years afterward, Brolin says he viewed 55 as a reasonable age to die—a mindset influenced by both grief and his own struggles with addiction. Today, having surpassed that age himself, he says he realizes how mistaken that belief was and how much life can still lie ahead.
Brolin also writes candidly about his battle with substance abuse. He says he experimented with marijuana at just nine years old and tried LSD by the age of 13. Those early experiences eventually developed into years of addiction that affected many aspects of his life.
One of the most powerful moments in the memoir centers on his grandmother’s final days. Brolin recalls arriving at her bedside while smelling strongly of alcohol after waking up hungover on the street. Seeing her at the end of her life forced him to confront the direction his own life had taken.
He has described that experience as a turning point.
“I knew that was going to be the last time I drank,” Brolin has said.
The decision marked the beginning of his sobriety in 2013. More than a decade later, he says giving up alcohol has transformed his life.
“I love being sober. I have more fun,” he has shared. “There’s nothing that I go through that I am absolutely certain wouldn’t be worse if I was drinking.”
Brolin has also spoken openly about the influence of his father, actor James Brolin, and his stepmother, Barbra Streisand. One memory he recounts involves asking for a glass of red wine while visiting their home after he had already acknowledged his struggles with alcoholism.
According to Brolin, Streisand responded bluntly by asking, “Aren’t you an alcoholic?” When he insisted he liked red wine despite his addiction, she replied simply, “You shouldn’t drink.”
Although the conversation felt direct, Brolin has since described it as an example of tough love rather than criticism. In hindsight, he appreciates the honesty of those who challenged him instead of enabling his addiction.
Now in his mid-50s, Brolin says he has developed a new appreciation for aging. Rather than fearing getting older, he sees it as an opportunity to slow down, find balance, and enjoy life with greater clarity.
His memoir offers readers more than behind-the-scenes Hollywood stories. It is a candid reflection on trauma, family, addiction, recovery, and personal growth. By sharing both his darkest moments and his hard-earned lessons, Josh Brolin hopes to remind others that recovery is possible and that it’s never too late to change the course of your life.