James Brolin's Real Name: Craig Kenneth Bruderlin

Quick answer: James Brolin's original name is Craig Kenneth Bruderlin. He was born on July 18, 1940, in Los Angeles. He is usually billed as James Brolin. He won a supporting-actor Emmy as Dr. Steven Kiley on Marcus Welby, M.D. and later appeared in films including Westworld (1973) and W. (Los Angeles Times).

Real name and early life

The Los Angeles Times Hollywood Star Walk says he was born Craig Kenneth Bruderlin on July 18, 1940, in Los Angeles. The Library of Congress heading is "Brolin, James, 1940-," with the official variant "Bruderlin, Craig Kenneth, 1940-." He took the professional name James Brolin early in his career.

The same Times profile says he did not have to struggle for a first break: at 18 he was stopped on the street and asked to appear in a commercial driving a Dodge truck. He earned $400 and did not yet have to join the Screen Actors Guild. Small film roles followed.

Career highlights

His major television breakthrough was Marcus Welby, M.D., in which he played the young Dr. Steven Kiley opposite Robert Young's veteran doctor and won a supporting-actor Emmy in 1970. Later television work included Hotel, The West Wing, and various sitcoms and soap operas, the Times says. On film he starred in Westworld (1973) and later played President George W. Bush in Oliver Stone's W.

He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, on the south side of the 7000 block of Hollywood Boulevard, in the television category. Since 1998 he has also been widely known as the husband of Barbra Streisand, his third wife. In 2009 he told the Times that he asked her advice when deciding on a project: "I always look at things and say, 'Will Barbra be proud?'" The Times also notes that his son, Josh Brolin, is an actor, citing later films including No Country for Old Men and an Oscar-nominated role in Milk.

The Star Walk entry adds that he was once set to play Marlon Brando's son in Mutiny on the Bounty, but the role was written out of the film.

Name notes for searchers

Craig Kenneth Bruderlin is the documented birth name; James Brolin is the professional name used in credits and publicity. Searchers looking for Craig Bruderlin or James Brolin are usually aiming at the same person. He should not be confused with his son, Josh Brolin.