Josh Brolin’s upcoming memoir, “From Under the Truck,” unveils a series of startling revelations about his turbulent past, painting a vivid picture of a life marked by wild encounters, addiction, and ultimate redemption.
The 56-year-old actor, son of Hollywood veteran James Brolin, opens up about his unconventional upbringing, including hair-raising encounters with wild animals orchestrated by his mother Jane, a wildlife conservationist. In one of the most shocking accounts, Brolin describes how his mother would command nearby predators—including cougars, coyotes, and bobcats—to chase him and his brother Jess with a simple “Sic ’em” command.
“You knew if you didn’t get on the other side of that shut door within a couple of seconds, you’d be cleaning up fresh bloody marks somewhere on your body for the rest of the day,” writes Brolin, revealing the raw reality of his childhood experiences.
Brolin’s path to success didn’t come with privilege, despite his famous lineage. “When I started it was like, ‘Oh, you’re Brolin’s son,’ but not in a good way,” he shares, addressing the nepotism accusations that followed him early in his career. His breakthrough role in “The Goonies” (1984) came with its own challenges, as he admits to battling imposter syndrome alongside more experienced child actors.
The memoir takes a darker turn as Brolin details his struggles with substance abuse, beginning with his first acid trip at age 13. His journey through addiction led to multiple encounters with law enforcement—nine jail stays by his own count—and countless dangerous situations, including a particularly sobering incident at a Del Taco that involved a hit-and-run.
A pivotal moment occurred while visiting his 99-year-old grandmother’s deathbed. Brolin arrived reeking of alcohol, but her simple smile became the catalyst for his transformation. “If this woman could get through 99 years on life’s terms, how dare I?” he reflects. This moment marked the beginning of his sobriety journey, which has now lasted over a decade.
The book also describes a near-fatal incident in Costa Rica in 2013, where an attempted robbery stabbed Brolin in the belly button. “The umbilical ligament is the densest ligament in the body, and it slowed the knife down enough to stop it from hitting any vitals,” he explains, crediting this anatomical quirk with saving his life.
Now married to Kathryn Boyd and father to four children—Trevor Mansur (36), Eden (29), Westlyn Reign (6), and Chapel Grace (3)—Brolin speaks of his current life with profound gratitude. “The fear is still there, but I just don’t care about it as much. That’s the beauty of age,” he reflects. “As bewildering as life can be at times, and as irritated as I can be with myself, I truly believe that it is a gift.”
“From Under the Truck” hits bookstores on Tuesday, November 19, promising readers an unvarnished look at Hollywood royalty, survival, and the power of redemption. The memoir stands as a testament to Brolin’s journey from a wild child running from actual wild animals to a mature artist embracing sobriety and authenticity.
His stepmother, Barbra Streisand, who has been frank about his past behavior, stands among the many witnesses to his transformation. As Brolin puts it simply yet powerfully: “I love being sober. I have more fun. There’s nothing that I go through that I am absolutely certain wouldn’t be worse if I was drinking.”