James Brolin Biography Quotes 2 Report mistakes

Early Life and Entry into Acting
James Brolin was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1940 and grew up near the heart of the American film and television industry. Drawn to performance from a young age, he pursued acting in his teens and early twenties, entering the studio system when major film companies still signed young talent to long-term contracts. Early appearances in small roles across episodic television introduced him to sets, cameras, and the discipline of professional acting, laying the foundation for a career that would span decades and traverse film, television, and voice work.

Breakthrough on Television
Brolin's breakthrough arrived with Marcus Welby, M.D., the hit medical drama that premiered in 1969. Playing Dr. Steven Kiley, he formed a dynamic onscreen partnership with Robert Young, whose title character anchored the series. The show became a cultural touchstone for its gentle bedside manner and topical medical stories, and Brolin's performance earned him both popular recognition and major awards, including an Emmy Award and Golden Globes. The role defined him as a dependable, empathetic leading man and gave him the momentum to move easily between television and feature films.

Film Career
During the 1970s, Brolin expanded his reach with memorable genre films. He starred in Westworld, written and directed by Michael Crichton, opposite Yul Brynner and Richard Benjamin, helping launch a landmark science-fiction concept that would influence the genre for generations. He led the thriller The Amityville Horror alongside Margot Kidder, a box-office success that cemented his status as a bankable screen presence. Other notable titles included Gable and Lombard, in which he portrayed Clark Gable, the suspense film The Car, and the conspiracy thriller Capricorn One. His blend of stoic charisma and approachable warmth made him equally convincing as everyman heroes and as figures shrouded in mystery.

1980s and Television Leadership
Brolin returned to series television with Hotel, which aired through much of the 1980s. As the fictional hotel's general manager, he anchored an ensemble that included Connie Sellecca and Shari Belafonte. The show's weekly blend of glamour, romance, and guest-star-driven storytelling suited his authoritative presence and broadened his reputation as a television leader capable of carrying network dramas across multiple seasons. During this period, he also screen-tested for the role of James Bond when producers considered new options for the franchise, a testament to his international appeal and classic leading-man image.

Producer, Director, and Host
Beyond acting, Brolin explored producing and directing. He developed and starred in the syndicated action drama Pensacola: Wings of Gold, shaping its tone both in front of and behind the camera. He directed projects such as My Brother's War, a film that involved his family creatively and underscored his interest in guiding stories from conception to completion. He also served as the original host of Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction, introducing audiences to a weekly anthology of uncanny tales before passing the baton to Jonathan Frakes, demonstrating his ease as a storyteller and presenter.

Later Work and Voice Performances
In the 2000s, Brolin portrayed Ronald Reagan in The Reagans, acting opposite Judy Davis as Nancy Reagan. The performance drew attention for its nuance and for his ability to humanize a historical figure. He continued to work steadily across genres, taking on roles in independent films and television movies, and later gained a new generation of fans as the kindly, offbeat patriarch in the ensemble comedy Life in Pieces with Dianne Wiest, Colin Hanks, and Betsy Brandt. He further broadened his portfolio with voice work, notably narrating the Netflix series Sweet Tooth and voicing Emperor Zurg in Pixar's Lightyear, showcasing his distinctive vocal authority and timing.

Personal Life and Family
Family has been central to Brolin's story. His first marriage, to Jane Cameron Agee, brought two children, including actor Josh Brolin, who built his own acclaimed career in films ranging from No Country for Old Men to blockbusters in the Avengers franchise. Brolin and Agee also had a son, Jess Brolin. After their divorce, he married Jan Smithers, known for WKRP in Cincinnati; they had a daughter, Molly, who has worked behind the scenes in entertainment. Brolin later married Barbra Streisand, and their enduring partnership has intertwined their artistic lives and philanthropic interests. Through that marriage, he is stepfather to Jason Gould, Streisand's son with Elliott Gould. The bonds among these artists and relatives have shaped Brolin's public and private worlds, with collaborations, red-carpet appearances, and mutual support connecting careers across generations.

Craft and Reputation
Brolin's craft rests on a calm screen presence, a resonant voice, and a willingness to alternate between stalwart heroes and conflicted figures. He has often chosen material that values character integrity and narrative momentum, from medical procedurals to thrillers and family comedies. Colleagues frequently noted his professionalism and steadiness on set, qualities evident in long-running ensembles such as Marcus Welby, M.D. and Hotel, where his rapport with Robert Young, Connie Sellecca, and Shari Belafonte helped sustain audience loyalty.

Legacy
Spanning more than six decades, James Brolin's career reflects the evolution of American entertainment from the studio system to the streaming era. He moved from contract roles to defining television leads, from box-office genre films to prestige portrayals of historical figures, and into voice acting that introduced him to younger viewers. Along the way, his relationships with collaborators and family members, including Barbra Streisand, Josh Brolin, Judy Davis, Yul Brynner, Richard Benjamin, and Margot Kidder, enriched the contours of his life and work. His trajectory exemplifies durability, reinvention, and a grounded sense of performance that continues to resonate with audiences.

Our collection contains 2 quotes who is written by James, under the main topics: I Love You - Marriage.

Other people realated to James: Jill Clayburgh (Actress), Morgan Brittany (Actress)