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James Brolin – Biography, Age, Family and Net Worth 2025

Henry Oliver Davies Harrison • 2026-09-23 • Reviewed by Hanna Berg






James Brolin – Biography, Age, Net Worth, Family, Movies & TV Shows (2025)


James Brolin has been a familiar face on American screens for more than six decades. With over 140 acting credits, two Golden Globe Awards, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, his career spans the golden age of television, major Hollywood films, and recent streaming projects. He is also widely recognized as the husband of Barbra Streisand and the father of actor Josh Brolin.

Born in Los Angeles in 1940, Brolin began his career in the early 1960s and rose to prominence as Dr. Steven Kiley on the hit medical drama Marcus Welby, M.D. That role earned him his first Golden Globe and established him as a leading man in television. Decades later, he continues to work, voicing Emperor Zurg in Pixar’s Lightyear in 2022 and appearing in shows like Life in Pieces.

This article provides a comprehensive look at James Brolin’s age, family relationships, career milestones, awards, and net worth, drawing on verified sources including Wikipedia, IMDb, and official industry registries.

Who Is James Brolin?

Full Name
Craig Kenneth Bruderlin (James Brolin)
Age (2025)
84 (born July 18, 1940)
Spouse
Barbra Streisand (m. 1998)
Net Worth
Estimated $12–20 million

The following insights summarize the most important facts about James Brolin’s life and career.

  • James Brolin has sustained a decades-long career spanning TV and film, winning multiple Golden Globes.
  • His marriage to Barbra Streisand places him among Hollywood’s most famous couples.
  • He is the father of actor Josh Brolin, continuing a family acting legacy.
  • Despite his fame, Brolin’s personal life remains relatively private compared to his wife and son.
  • He has accumulated more than 140 screen credits since his debut in 1961.
  • He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 27, 1998.
  • His television career, particularly in the 1970s and 1980s, is considered especially significant by critics.

Key Facts at a Glance

Category Detail
Birth July 18, 1940, Los Angeles, California
Occupation Actor, director, producer
Years Active 1960s–present
Spouse Barbra Streisand (1998–present); previously Jane Cameron Agee (1966–1986) and Jan Smithers (1988–1995)
Children Jess Brolin, Josh Brolin
Notable Awards 2 Golden Globes, 1 Primetime Emmy, Hollywood Walk of Fame star
Birth Name Craig Kenneth Bruderlin
Notable TV Roles Dr. Steven Kiley on Marcus Welby, M.D., Peter McDermott on Hotel
Notable Film Roles Westworld (1973), Traffic (2000), Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Screen Credits More than 140

James Brolin’s Family: His Son Josh and Marriage to Barbra Streisand

James Brolin’s family life has attracted nearly as much attention as his acting career. His marriage to music and film icon Barbra Streisand, and his role as father to actor Josh Brolin, place him at the center of one of Hollywood’s most prominent families.

James Brolin’s Children

Brolin has two sons: Jess Brolin and Josh Brolin. Josh, born in 1968 to Brolin and his first wife Jane Cameron Agee, has become a celebrated actor in his own right, known for roles in No Country for Old Men, Avengers: Endgame, and Dune. Jess Brolin has maintained a lower public profile.

The Brolin Acting Legacy

James Brolin and his son Josh Brolin are one of the few father-son pairs in Hollywood where both have achieved significant critical and commercial success. Josh has frequently credited his father’s work ethic and guidance as influences on his own career.

Marriage to Barbra Streisand

James Brolin married Barbra Streisand on July 1, 1998, in a ceremony at her Malibu estate. The couple met a few years earlier through mutual friends and have remained together since. Streisand, one of the best-selling music artists of all time and an acclaimed film director and actress, has often spoken warmly of their partnership. The marriage brought Brolin into a blended family that includes Streisand’s son Jason Gould.

James Brolin and His Son Josh Brolin

Yes, Josh Brolin is James Brolin’s son. He was born to James and his first wife, Jane Cameron Agee, in 1968. Despite their shared profession, the two have rarely appeared on screen together, though they have expressed mutual respect in interviews. Josh has described his father as a supportive presence throughout his career.

James Brolin’s Career Highlights and Net Worth

From television stardom in the 1970s to memorable film roles in the 2000s, James Brolin’s career reflects remarkable adaptability. He has worked as a leading man, a character actor, a director, and a producer.

Notable TV and Film Roles

Brolin is best known for three television roles that defined different eras of his career. He played Dr. Steven Kiley on Marcus Welby, M.D. from 1969 to 1976, a performance that earned him a Golden Globe. From 1983 to 1988, he starred as Peter McDermott on the prime-time drama Hotel, which brought him a second Golden Globe. Later, he played John Short on the comedy series Life in Pieces from 2015 to 2019.

On film, Brolin appeared as John Blane in Michael Crichton’s Westworld (1973), as General Ralph Landry in Steven Soderbergh’s Traffic (2000), and as Jack Barnes in Steven Spielberg’s Catch Me If You Can (2002). In 2022, he voiced the villain Emperor Zurg in the Pixar animated film Lightyear.

Awards and Recognition

James Brolin has won two Golden Globe Awards and one Primetime Emmy Award. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 27, 1998, at 6801 Hollywood Boulevard. These honors reflect both his television success and his broader contributions to the entertainment industry.

James Brolin’s Net Worth

James Brolin’s net worth is estimated to be between $12 million and $20 million, accumulated through his work as an actor, director, and producer across more than five decades. However, exact figures are not publicly verified, and estimates vary across sources. His marriage to Barbra Streisand, whose net worth is substantially larger, has sometimes led to confusion about his personal finances.

Net Worth Estimates Are Not Verified

Unlike his birth date, marriage, and awards, James Brolin’s net worth is not a matter of public record. The $12–20 million range cited by various outlets is an estimate based on his known projects and industry averages. No official financial disclosure confirms any specific figure.

Role in ‘Burlesque’

In 2010, James Brolin appeared in the musical film Burlesque, starring Cher and Christina Aguilera. He played Mr. Anderson, a wealthy businessman and regular patron of the nightclub where the story takes place. The film was a commercial success and introduced Brolin to a younger generation of viewers.

How Did James Brolin’s Career and Life Unfold Over Time?

The following timeline traces the major events in James Brolin’s personal and professional life, from his birth in Los Angeles to his ongoing work in the 2020s.

  1. 1940 – Born in Los Angeles, California.
  2. 1960s – Begins acting with early television roles.
  3. 1966 – Marries Jane Cameron Agee.
  4. 1968 – Son Josh Brolin is born.
  5. 1970 – Wins Golden Globe for Marcus Welby, M.D.
  6. 1986 – Divorce from Jane Cameron Agee.
  7. 1995 – Divorce from Jan Smithers.
  8. 1998 – Marries Barbra Streisand; receives Hollywood Walk of Fame star.
  9. 2000s – Stars in Pensacola: Wings of Gold and films including Traffic and Catch Me If You Can.
  10. 2010 – Appears in Burlesque as Mr. Anderson.
  11. 2020s – Continues to act, voicing Emperor Zurg in Lightyear (2022) and appearing in television projects.

What Is Known and What Remains Uncertain About James Brolin?

While many aspects of James Brolin’s life are well-documented through official sources, some details, particularly regarding his finances and early private life, are less clear.

Established Information Information That Remains Unclear
Birth date: July 18, 1940, in Los Angeles, California Exact net worth figure (estimates range from $12–20 million)
Marriage to Barbra Streisand on July 1, 1998 Some details of early personal life are private and not publicly verified
Father of Josh Brolin and Jess Brolin
Two Golden Globe Awards and one Primetime Emmy Award
Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (1998)

What Is James Brolin’s Place in Hollywood History?

James Brolin’s career reflects the broader transition of American television from the network-dominated era of the 1970s and 1980s to the streaming age. He was a leading man during a period when television dramas commanded massive audiences, and his ability to shift into film and later into character and voice roles demonstrates a versatility that sustained his relevance.

His marriage to Barbra Streisand brought him a level of public visibility that extended beyond his own work. At the same time, his role as the father of Josh Brolin connects him to a younger generation of moviegoers who may know him primarily through that relationship.

Industry observers and biographers describe Brolin as an actor who successfully navigated the changing landscape of Hollywood by balancing television stardom with film work and later embracing new media. His career trajectory offers a case study in longevity and adaptation.

Where Can You Find Reliable Information About James Brolin?

The most comprehensive and regularly updated sources for James Brolin’s biography are Wikipedia and IMDb, both of which maintain detailed entries covering his career, family, and awards. The Hollywood Walk of Fame website provides an official record of his star. The Golden Globes and Emmy websites document his award history.

James Brolin has worked extensively as both a leading man in TV and in films, with his television career described as especially significant.

Turner Classic Movies (TCM) profile

He was born in Los Angeles and adopted the professional name James Brolin.

— Hollywood Walk of Fame official page

James Brolin is the father of actor Josh Brolin.

— IMDb biography

Key sources include: Wikipedia, IMDb, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Golden Globes, and Emmys.

What Is James Brolin’s Legacy?

As of 2025, James Brolin remains active in the entertainment industry with potential upcoming projects and continued public appearances alongside Barbra Streisand. His legacy is defined by a prolific television career, two Golden Globe Awards, a Primetime Emmy, and his place within a multigenerational Hollywood family that includes his son Josh Brolin. For readers interested in similar actor biographies, the profiles of Sean Connery – Biography, James Bond Films, and Legacy and Kevin Bacon – Biography, Iconic Movies, and Cultural Legacy offer comparable explorations of long-running screen careers.

Frequently Asked Questions About James Brolin

Is James Brolin still acting?

Yes, he continues to take roles in film and television. His most recent major role was voicing Emperor Zurg in Pixar’s Lightyear (2022).

How tall is James Brolin?

He is approximately 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) tall.

Does James Brolin have any siblings?

Yes, he has a sister named Barbara Bruderlin.

What is James Brolin’s real name?

His birth name is Craig Kenneth Bruderlin. He adopted the professional name James Brolin early in his acting career.

Did James Brolin direct any movies?

Yes, he directed films such as My Brother’s War and episodes of the TV series The Young Riders.


Henry Oliver Davies Harrison

About the author

Henry Oliver Davies Harrison

Henry Oliver Davies Harrison is Editor-in-Chief and a writer at PressOrbit, covering UK news, business and public affairs. He is accountable for the newsroom's editorial standards and leads its sourcing and fact-checking process, from research through to final approval, so that each article is accurate, clearly attributed and useful to readers.