Jess Brolin (born February 7, 1972) is an American actor and celebrity son best known as the younger child of Emmy Award-winning actor James Brolin.
He appeared in a handful of film and television productions in the late 1990s and early 2000s before stepping away from the entertainment industry entirely.
Who is Jess Brolin?
Jess Brolin is an American actor and production crew member who first gained public attention as the son of Hollywood legend James Brolin. His father holds two Golden Globe Awards and a Primetime Emmy Award for his decades-long career in film and television.
Jess is also the younger brother of actor Josh Brolin, who earned an Oscar nomination for Milk (2008) and worldwide recognition as Thanos in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Despite growing up surrounded by one of Hollywood’s most prominent families, Jess chose a path far removed from the spotlight.
His life story stands apart from those of his father and brother, shaped by personal loss, financial difficulties, and a firm preference for privacy.
James Brolin later married singer and actress Barbra Streisand in 1998, making her Jess’s stepmother.
Early Life of Jess Brolin
Jess Brolin was born on February 7, 1972, in the United States of America. His father, James Brolin, was already an established television actor by that time.
His mother, Jane Cameron Agee, worked as a wildlife activist and had aspirations as an actress at 20th Century Fox. Josh Brolin revealed in a 2008 appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman that their parents first met on the set of the TV series Batman, where Jane worked as an assistant casting director.
James and Jane married just 12 days after meeting in 1966 at Twentieth Century Fox. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1984.
Jess Brolin Age
Jess Brolin is 54 years old as of June 15, 2026, born on February 7, 1972. His zodiac sign is Aquarius. He has maintained an extremely private lifestyle throughout his adult years, rarely appearing in public.
Jess Brolin Ethnicity and Nationality
Jess Brolin is an American national, born and raised in the United States. He is of mixed European descent, with Swiss-German and English ancestry on his father’s side. His family background reflects a deep connection to American entertainment and wildlife advocacy.
Jess Brolin Height and Weight
Jess Brolin stands 5 feet 9 inches tall (1.7 meters). His weight has been reported at over 300 pounds in recent years, with the Daily Mail publishing photographs in 2024 that estimated him at approximately 350 lbs. He has dark brown eyes and light brown hair, features he shares with his father.
Jess Brolin Education
Details about Jess Brolin’s formal education are not publicly available. Reports confirm he attended a special school for emotionally disturbed children during his youth. His educational background beyond that has never been publicly disclosed.
Jess Brolin Career
Jess Brolin entered the entertainment industry after the death of his mother in 1995. His work behind the scenes included roles as a production runner and assistant in the sound and editorial departments on several low-budget productions.
His IMDb profile lists credits across the sound, editorial, and production departments, working primarily under the name J. Brolin.
Career Start
Jess first appeared in the 1997 mystery thriller Shadow Dancer, marking his entry into the film industry. That same year, he also worked as an uncredited assistant sound editor on the action film My Brother’s War.
Notable Projects
He went on to contribute to Enemy Action (1999) and Black Scorpion (2001), a television series in which he made his final credited contribution to the entertainment industry.
Black Scorpion (2001) remains his most widely recognized screen credit.
His roles were primarily behind-the-scenes and supporting in nature. Unlike his father, who starred in major productions like Marcus Welby, M.D. and Westworld, Jess did not pursue a prominent on-screen career.
Stepping Away from Entertainment
After Black Scorpion in 2001, Jess Brolin stepped away from the entertainment industry entirely. No further acting or production credits have been recorded since that time.
His departure from Hollywood marked the beginning of a much more private chapter of his life. He has not returned to film or television work in any publicly documented capacity.
Jess Brolin Filmography
Brolin’s verified screen credits, as listed on IMDb, include:
- Shadow Dancer (1997)
- My Brother’s War (1997) — uncredited
- Enemy Action (1999)
- Black Scorpion (2001)
Jess Brolin’s Personal Life
Brolin’s personal life has been marked most significantly by the loss of his mother. Jane Cameron Agee died in a car accident on February 13, 1995, when Jess was just 23 years old.
Upon her death, Jane left Jess a six-figure trust fund inheritance. However, reports indicate he depleted the funds without a stable income to replace them.
In May 2011, Jess lost his $850-per-month apartment in Ventura, California, after his inheritance ran out. Following the eviction, he reportedly lived in an old Toyota pickup truck, stayed in shelters, and slept in fields in the Oxnard and Ventura, California area.
In 2014, photographs published by the Daily Mail showed Jess rummaging through public trash bins in Ojai, California, generating widespread media attention.
James Brolin and Barbra Streisand released a statement at the time saying: “We have offered help and support and will continue to do so. We love him very much and want only the best for him.”
As of 2024, reports from the Daily Mail indicate Jess was living at the Topa Vista Motel in Ojai, California. His father has mentioned in interviews that Jess runs a charity organization, suggesting some stability in his current life.
No confirmed information about a spouse, partner, or children is publicly available for Jess Brolin.
Jess Brolin Siblings and Family
Jess Brolin has three siblings. His older brother, Josh Brolin, is one of Hollywood’s most recognized actors, known for roles in No Country for Old Men, Milk, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
His half-sister, Molly Elizabeth Brolin, was born on November 28, 1987, to James Brolin and his second wife, Jan Smithers. Molly has worked as an associate producer on several of her father’s films and is also a jewelry designer.
His stepbrother, Jason Gould, is the son of Barbra Streisand from a previous relationship. James Brolin adopted Jason after marrying Streisand in 1998.
Jess Brolin Net Worth
Jess Brolin’s estimated net worth is $500,000, based on his limited entertainment industry work. His financial situation has been well-documented as challenging in the years since his mother’s inheritance ran out.
By contrast, his father James Brolin holds an estimated net worth of $60 million as of 2026, and his brother Josh Brolin is estimated at approximately $30 to $45 million.
He has not held any publicly known employment since leaving the entertainment industry in the early 2000s.
Jess Brolin Social Media
Jess Brolin does not maintain any publicly known social media accounts. He has consistently avoided online platforms as part of his broader commitment to privacy.
His brother Josh Brolin has occasionally shared photographs involving family, but Jess himself has never been confirmed as active on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, or any other platform.
Given his reclusive lifestyle, this absence from social media is consistent with his personal choices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jess Brolin’s net worth?
Jess Brolin’s estimated net worth is $500,000, derived from his limited work in the entertainment industry during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
How old is Jess Brolin?
Jess Brolin is 54 years old as of June 15, 2026, having been born on February 7, 1972.
Who is Jess Brolin married to?
No confirmed information about Jess Brolin having a spouse or partner is publicly available. He is believed to be single based on available reports.
What is Jess Brolin’s height?
Jess Brolin stands 5 feet 9 inches tall (approximately 1.7 meters).
What movies or projects has Jess Brolin been in?
Jess Brolin is credited in Shadow Dancer (1997), Enemy Action (1999), and Black Scorpion (2001), primarily in behind-the-scenes production and sound roles.
Where was Jess Brolin born?
Jess Brolin was born in the United States of America on February 7, 1972, to actor James Brolin and wildlife activist Jane Cameron Agee.
The Bottom Line
Jess Brolin contributed to a small but verified set of film and television productions between 1997 and 2001, including Black Scorpion and Shadow Dancer, before exiting the industry entirely.
His story differs sharply from those of his famous family, shaped by the loss of his mother Jane Cameron Agee in 1995 and years of financial hardship that became a subject of public attention after 2011.
As of 2024, Jess was reported to be living in Ojai, California, and his father has indicated he runs a charitable organization. His path, while unconventional, continues on his own terms.
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