Josh Brolin's Real Name: Josh James Brolin

Quick answer: Josh Brolin's full name is Josh James Brolin. He was born on February 12, 1968, in Santa Monica, California, son of actor James Brolin, and performs under Josh Brolin—the civil form of his birth name.

Real name and early life

The Library of Congress lists Brolin, Josh; major biographies give Josh James Brolin, born February 12, 1968, in Santa Monica, California (LOC; Biography.com). He is the son of actor James Brolin and casting director/wildlife activist Jane Cameron Agee. He spent early years on a California ranch near Paso Robles/Templeton, later attending Santa Barbara High School, and was not steeped in his father’s Hollywood career as a child. James is the middle name honoring his father; Brolin is the family surname. There is no stage surname—Josh Brolin is the professional form of the birth name.

Career highlights

Teenage fame came as Brand in The Goonies (1985). After television work including The Young Riders, adult resurgence arrived with No Country for Old Men (2007), an Oscar nomination for Milk (2008), True Grit, Sicario, and Denis Villeneuve’s Dune films as Gurney Halleck. Global blockbuster recognition followed as Thanos in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (Avengers: Infinity War, Endgame) and Cable in Deadpool 2. He founded Brolin Productions and continues leading roles in studio and auteur projects. Across cult classics and MCU hits, billing stayed Josh Brolin; the documented full name is Josh James Brolin. Biographical sidebars restore James when stating the complete name behind decades of Josh Brolin packaging on adventure and superhero home video.

Name notes for searchers

James is the middle name shared with his father James Brolin—do not confuse the two actors’ full forms. Prefer LOC and Biography.com. Wikipedia is a pointer after those primaries.

Goonies anniversaries and Infinity War/Endgame sets keep Josh Brolin highly visible in adventure and MCU catalogs.

MCU press and Goonies anniversaries print Josh Brolin; Library of Congress and Biography.com-style summaries keep Josh James Brolin available when fans ask for the complete name.