Josh Brolin Opens Up About His Difficult Childhood and Long Road to Sobriety

Josh Brolin has spent decades in Hollywood, but in his new memoir, From Under the Truck, the actor reveals a much more complicated side of his life.

The book takes readers back to his childhood, his family, his struggles with addiction, and the experiences that eventually changed his outlook on life.

A Childhood Unlike Most

Brolin grew up with his brother Jess and their mother, Jane, a wildlife conservationist.

In his memoir, he recalls some unusual—and frightening—childhood experiences. His mother would sometimes tell nearby wild animals, including cougars and coyotes, to chase the boys.

Brolin remembered having only seconds to reach safety before the animals came after them.

Although those memories sound terrifying, Brolin has said he still had complicated feelings about his mother and deeply wanted her in his life.

Jane died in a car accident in 1995 at just 55 years old.

At the time, Brolin was struggling with addiction and viewed 55 as an acceptable age to die.

Years later, he realized just how wrong he had been.

Now older than his mother ever became, Brolin understands that 55 was far too young.

His Battle With Addiction

Brolin also writes openly about how early his substance use began.

He recalls trying marijuana when he was just 9 and experimenting with LSD at 13.

His addiction eventually followed him into adulthood and affected important moments in his life.

One experience became a major turning point.

Brolin arrived at his 99-year-old grandmother’s deathbed after drinking heavily. Seeing her in that condition while realizing what his own life had become forced him to reconsider everything.

He decided that he didn’t want alcohol to control the rest of his life.

That moment happened in 2013.

More than a decade later, Brolin continues to live sober.

Barbra Streisand’s Tough Love

Brolin’s relationship with his stepmother, legendary singer and actress Barbra Streisand, has also included moments of blunt honesty.

He once recalled asking her for a glass of red wine.

Her response was direct:

“Aren’t you an alcoholic?”

Brolin admitted that her honesty was difficult to hear, but he also appreciated the tough love.

She reminded him that if alcohol had already become a problem, drinking wasn’t something he could simply treat casually.

Today, Brolin says he enjoys getting older and appreciates the peace that sobriety has brought him.

“I love being sober. I have more fun,” he has said.

His story is a reminder that even people who appear to have everything can carry painful experiences behind the scenes.

And sometimes, the hardest chapters of a person’s life become the ones that ultimately change them.