Biografía

His first wife, Jane, died in a car crash in 1995. This was devastating to him because after all the turmoil during their divorce, they had become friends. This friendship began when they both had to put up a brave face at a premiere for their son, Josh Brolin.

Father of Josh Brolin (born 1968), Jess Brolin (born 1972) and Molly Brolin (born 1987).

Screen-tested for the role of James Bond in Octopussy (1983), but was ruled out when Roger Moore agreed to reprise the role.

Stepfather of Jason Gould. (Brolin co-starred with Gould's biological father Elliott Gould in Capricornio Uno (1977), 21 years before he married Gould's biological mother Barbra Streisand).

His acting mentor was the late Robert Young.

I spent most of the money I made on phone calls.

I think you can have a whole terrific, smart career as a second and third banana and work more and have much less risk than the lead guy. But I like being the lead guy.

[As a director]: One of the things I love about directing is I love actors, because no matter how complex they are, once you get down to working and talking to them and the toughest guy will want you to open them up and he wants to show you stuff he was afraid to show anybody before.

[on his son's, Josh's arrest, at a bar brawl]: There were people who lived across the street who said there was no fight. How come nobody is suing for being hit? There was no fight.

[on the death of Jane Agee, his first ex-wife, in a car crash]: I think it was she was avoiding a deer. I was surprised, and oh, I was affected. Yeah, I was really ripped up.