Join "SmartLess" hosts Will Arnett, Sean Hayes, and Jason Bateman as they dive into an intimate conversation with actor Josh Brolin, who offers a candid look into his life, redefined by sobriety and parenting. Brolin's reflections unveil the stark differences in his relationships with his children across the years, and the benefits of embracing a transparent approach to addressing past issues. His personal insights go beyond the surface, revealing the healing nature of understanding and being present for his family, something he deeply values.
With a career that spans from the hesitant steps of his teenage acting aspirations to his seasoned experience behind the camera, Brolin's journey in the entertainment industry is rich with stories of perseverance, collaboration, and growth. From discussing the turning point in "The Goonies" to his memorable work with the Coen Brothers and Denis Villeneuve, Brolin paints a picture of an artist deeply committed to his craft. Off-screen, his thoughtful and observant demeanor challenges the tough roles he often portrays, while his directorial experiences and ambitions suggest a future where Brolin's impact on cinema might transcend not only roles but borders.
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Josh Brolin has opened up about the significant differences in his parenting style since becoming sober. He clearly sees a contrast in the way he interacts with his younger children compared to his older ones, attributing these positive changes to his sobriety. Brolin admits that alcohol made him less available to his older children, and he appreciates the ability to be more present now. In discussing his family life, he emphasizes the importance of transparency, acknowledging the benefits of addressing past issues openly to facilitate understanding and healing.
In his teenage years, Josh Brolin fell in love with acting, marking the beginning of his journey in the entertainment industry. Despite facing numerous rejections early on, Brolin's perseverance never wavered. He continued to audition and remained dedicated to the craft, convinced of his potential to succeed in the acting world.
Brolin reflects on the career-defining moment when he secured his role in "The Goonies," a moment that would solidify his standing in the film industry. The reflection on this pivotal point in his career underlines how Brolin transitioned from struggling actor to a recognizable face in Hollywood.
Brolin has a notable history with the Coen Brothers, including films like "No Country for Old Men." He recalls working closely with Joel and Ethan Coen, learning from their grounded demeanor and unique approach to filmmaking. Brolin talks about their subtlety on set, particularly their reserved praise, which contrasted with industry norms. He hints at a significant takeaway from his time with them, without detailing what this insight specifically entails, leaving it as an intriguing aspect of his acting development.
Reflecting on his recent work, Josh Brolin touches upon his role as Gurney Halleck in Denis Villeneuve's "Dune." He proudly notes that he was in exceptional physical shape for the film, aligning with his commitment to the intense performance the role demanded.
Will Arnett brings to light the contrast between Brolin's on-screen "tough guy" personas and his off-screen personality. Brolin is known for playing rugged characters but away from the cameras, he's observant, thoughtful, and expressive about his love and appreciation for his family. This depth of character underscores a sensitive and contemplative nature that deviates from the stereotypical roles he often portrays.
Josh Brolin divulges details of his directorial experience on the set of "Outer Range." He explains how he sought guidance from peers like Jason Bateman and valued the collective input from everyone involved in the production. For Brolin, directing the episode was less about leaving a personal imprint and more about harmonizing with the needs of the crew and cast, emphasizing cooperation and attentiveness as key to his directorial approach.
Brolin's burgeoning interest in directing has led him to consider more ambitious and international ventures. He compares his directorial aspirations to his approach to parenting, favoring decisiveness and the willingness to embrace mistakes for the sake of growth and strong leadership. Brolin's enthusiasm for taking on larger-scale projects points to an exciting future with potential international contributions to cinema.
1-Page Summary
Josh Brolin reflects on his experiences of parenthood under the influence of alcohol and how sobriety has profoundly impacted his approach to fatherhood.
Brolin discusses the stark contrast in his parenting between his older and younger children. He suggests that the biggest change in his relationship with his younger kids is attributed to his sobriety. He hints at his past behavior, implying that he was less present in his older children's lives due to alcohol, and acknowledges the positive shift that has come with his sobriety.
Furthermore, Brolin stresses the importance of maintaining an open dialogue within his f ...
Sobriety and parenting
Josh's journey into the acting world began with developing a deep passion for the craft during his teenage years.
In his early teens, Josh discovered his love for acting. This passion quickly became a pivotal part of his life, shaping his dreams and future aspirations.
Despite facing numerous rejections, Josh showed remarkable ...
Josh's early experiences with acting
Will Arnett engages in a conversation with Josh Brolin about the formative moment of his acting career. Brolin reflects on how he landed his first significant role in the iconic film "The Goonies."
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Getting his big break on The Goonies
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Josh Brolin reflects on his work with the Coen Brothers, sharing insights and anecdotes from their time on set together.
Josh Brolin has a history of collaboration with the Coen Brothers, having worked on three films and a short with the acclaimed directing duo. He talks about his role in "No Country for Old Men," directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, sharing a specific scene that was influenced by his commitment to immersive research for a play he was working on earlier.
Brolin notes the normalcy of the Coen Brothers, suggesting that despite their fame and critical acclaim, they’re very grounded. He recalls that he never received explicit praise from them. They would simply move on to the next shot or scene without comments like "great scene," which is often expected in the industry.
One humorous incident Brolin recounts is about Woody Harrelson, a co-star in "No Country for Old Men." During a hospital scene, Harrelson struggled to remember his lines. When Harre ...
Memorable collaborations with the Coen Brothers
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Arnett introduces actor Josh Brolin, focusing on his recent role as Gurney Halleck in Denis Villeneuve's adaptation of "Dune." Brolin shares that during the f ...
Denis Villeneuve's Dune
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Actor Josh Brolin is widely recognized for his portrayals of rugged, tough characters. However, Will Arnett reveals that there's much more to Brolin than what meets the eye when he's on screen.
Arnett indicates that Brolin enjoys "mixing it up", maintaining his physical fitness which complements his "tough guy" film roles. Despite this robust image, Arnett unveils a different aspect of Brolin, describing him as thoughtful and appreciative of the world around him. He extends this appreciation to his familial relationships as well, being open about his love and f ...
Contrast between Josh's "tough guy" roles and his thoughtfulness/sensitivity
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Josh Brolin reflects on his experience directing an episode of "Outer Range," a contemporary Western produced by Amazon, marking a significant milestone in his career. This was his first substantial directorial project with a large budget, a notable step up from his prior work directing theater and a short film.
Brolin sought advice from seasoned actor-director Jason Bateman, who emphasized the importance of being attentive to the contributions of day players—actors who are on set for a short period and might be inclined to leave a strong impression, which could potentially upset the balance of a scene.
For Brolin, directing the episode was an opportunity to converge his diverse interests and l ...
Experience directing an episode of Outer Range
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Brolin has recently revealed a newfound interest in directing, particularly in seeking out international collaborators and embarking on more ambitious directorial projects. This enthusiasm follows his positive experiences so far, which seem to have had a profound impact on his aspirations in the filmmaking industry.
He has indicated a strong desire to continue directing, attributing any previous reluctance to a fear he now feels ready to overcome at this point in his life. Brolin's perspective on directing is likened to his approach to parenting—stressing the importance of decisiveness and the courage to not fear making mistakes. Instead, it is vital to make informed decisio ...
Interest in directing more projects in the future, especially international ones
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