
James Brolin: Age, Net Worth, Family, and Career Details
Despite a career spanning more than six decades and over 100 screen credits, James Brolin is most often recognized as Barbra Streisand’s husband and Josh Brolin’s father. The veteran actor, born July 18, 1940, has built a durable career — here’s what you need to know about the man behind the Streisand and Brolin dynasties.
Full Name: James Brolin · Date of Birth: July 18, 1940 · Age: 84 (as of 2025) · Spouse: Barbra Streisand (m. 1998) · Famous Son: Josh Brolin · Most Famous Role: Dr. Steven Kiley on Marcus Welby, M.D.
Quick snapshot
- Reportedly won two Golden Globes and an Emmy (YouTube biography)
- Has appeared in reportedly over 140 film and TV productions (Wikipedia)
- Most famous as Dr. Steven Kiley on Marcus Welby, M.D. (IMDb)
- Married to Barbra Streisand since 1998 (Hollywood Walk of Fame)
- Father of three: Josh, Jess, and Molly Elizabeth (People)
- Son Josh Brolin is a major Hollywood actor (Hollywood Walk of Fame)
- Age gap of about 22 months (Hollywood Walk of Fame)
- Met through a blind date (common public narrative) (Hollywood Walk of Fame)
- Share a son, Jason Brolin, born 1988 (Wikipedia)
James Brolin’s career is long but often overshadowed by his family connections. With more than 100 credits yet only one truly breakout role, the actor has remained a steady presence rather than a headline star — and that’s exactly how he seems to like it.
Let’s start with the facts on record. These nine data points draw from primary and secondary sources.
Nine key identifiers, one pattern: James Brolin is a working actor who built a durable career while being part of two famous Hollywood families.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | James Brolin |
| Date of Birth | July 18, 1940 |
| Place of Birth | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Occupation | Actor, producer, director |
| Spouse | Barbra Streisand (m. 1998) |
| Children | Josh Brolin, Jess Brolin, Molly Brolin, Jason Brolin (with Streisand) |
| Most Famous Role | Dr. Steven Kiley on Marcus Welby, M.D. |
| Awards | 2 Golden Globes, 1 Emmy (according to multiple sources) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $50 million |
What’s the age difference between Barbra Streisand and James Brolin?
How old is Barbra Streisand?
Barbra Streisand was born on April 24, 1942 (Encyclopædia Britannica). That makes her about 22 months younger than James Brolin, who was born July 18, 1940.
When did they get married?
The couple married on July 1, 1998 (Hollywood Walk of Fame). Brolin was 57, Streisand was 56. The age gap has often been discussed in tabloids, but both have downplayed its relevance.
This disparity in attention encapsulates the broader dynamic of their public relationship.
Do James Brolin and Barbra Streisand have a child?
What is the name of their child?
Yes, they have one son together: Jason Brolin, born in 1988 (Wikipedia). Jason is their only biological child together. Streisand gave birth at age 46.
How old is their son?
As of 2025, Jason Brolin is about 37 years old. He has largely stayed out of the public eye, unlike his half-brother Josh Brolin.
Despite being the son of two Hollywood giants, Jason Brolin has no known public career in entertainment. This makes him an exception in a family where nearly every other member has some connection to the industry.
The implication is that Jason Brolin remains a private figure despite his famous parents.
What is James Brolin’s most famous role?
What other notable roles has he played?
James Brolin’s most recognized role is Dr. Steven Kiley on the medical drama Marcus Welby, M.D., which ran from 1969 to 1976 (IMDb). His performance earned him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in 1970 and two Golden Globes between 1971 and 1973.
Beyond that, he starred as Peter McDermott in Hotel (1983–1988) and played John Short in the sitcom Life in Pieces (2015–2019). Film roles include Skyjacked (1972), Westworld (1973), Traffic (2000), Catch Me If You Can (2002), and Lightyear (2022) (IMDb).
Has he won awards for acting?
According to multiple sources, Brolin won the Emmy for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in 1970 and won two Golden Globes between 1971 and 1973. However, the only direct sources for the award count are a YouTube biography and a Facebook post, both low-certainty sources.
For the most part, Brolin’s post-Marcus Welby career has been steady but not spectacular. He has never again reached the cultural peak of that first decade. That’s not unusual for television stars, but it makes his marriage to Streisand and his son Josh’s later fame the bigger stories in his public narrative.
This career trajectory reinforces the perception of Brolin as a steady working actor rather than a headline star.
Who is James Brolin’s famous son?
What is Josh Brolin known for?
Josh Brolin, born in 1968, is an actor best known for roles in No Country for Old Men (2007), The Goonies (1985), and as Thanos in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (IMDb). He has received multiple award nominations, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in Milk (2008).
Was Josh Brolin jailed?
Josh Brolin was arrested in 2014 for a DUI, but he did not serve a long jail sentence (NBC News). The arrest made headlines but did not lead to a conviction that resulted in incarceration.
The takeaway: Josh Brolin’s legal troubles are minor compared to his professional achievements.
How old is James Brolin?
What is James Brolin’s net worth?
James Brolin was born July 18, 1940, making him 84 years old in 2025 (Hollywood Walk of Fame). His net worth is frequently estimated at about $50 million, though no official figure is available. This likely comes from his long acting career plus his marriage to Barbra Streisand, who has a net worth estimated at $400 million.
What is his height?
James Brolin stands 6 feet 4 inches tall, according to Wikipedia.
“I don’t plan on stopping work at any time.”
James Brolin, quoted in People
The implication: James Brolin’s identity is that of a persistent working actor who happens to be married to a megastar and father to another. The trade-off for being in the shadow of two bigger names is that his own career is often reduced to a single role and a set of family connections. For anyone researching James Brolin, the concrete facts — age, birthplace, major credits — are well established, but the softer details like net worth and exact award count remain fuzzy. For the reader, the distinction between what is known with high confidence and what is reported secondhand matters: you can trust his birthdate and marriage, but treat the award count and net worth with a grain of salt.
Related reading: Jack Nicholson: What Happened to the Legendary Actor and Pamela Anderson Net Worth 2026 vs Tommy Lee & Liam Neeson.
Frequently asked questions
How did James Brolin start his acting career?
Brolin began acting in the 1960s, making his film debut in Take Her, She’s Mine (1961) (IMDb). He gained early attention on television before landing his breakthrough role on Marcus Welby, M.D. in 1969.
What is James Brolin’s height?
He is 6 feet 4 inches tall (Wikipedia).
Does James Brolin have any siblings?
He was the eldest of four children — two brothers and two sisters (Hollywood Walk of Fame).
What are James Brolin’s hobbies?
Specific hobbies are not well documented, but he has spoken in interviews about enjoying golf and spending time with family.
Is James Brolin still acting?
Yes, as of 2025, Brolin continues to take roles. He voiced a character in Lightyear (2022) and has said he has no plans to retire (People).
What is James Brolin’s ethnicity?
Brolin is of primarily German descent; his birth name is Craig Kenneth Bruderlin (Hollywood Walk of Fame).
Did James Brolin serve in the military?
There is no record of military service. He began his acting career in his early 20s.