Barbra Streisand made heartfelt efforts to step in when her stepson found himself struggling through tough times. Once surrounded by luxury, his life has shifted dramatically, leaving him in far more challenging circumstances.
Barbra Streisand’s stepchild, Jess Brolin, has recently drawn attention after being spotted in difficult situations. His journey has been far from easy, leading to the challenges he faces today. Let’s explore the hardships he’s endured to arrive at this point.
Josh is the son of Emmy Award-winning actor James Brolin and the late casting director, Jane Cameron Agee. The two met while Jane was working in the Fox casting department.
In a November 1970 interview, James shared the story of their whirlwind romance. He asked her out, and things moved quickly from there. “She cooked some chili, and we married 12 days later,” he revealed. “She even made the table we ate on.”
Jane Cameron Agee and James Brolin pictured at home on his Appytime ranch on January 1, 1970, in California. | Source: Getty Images
James and Jane tied the knot in October 1966 and welcomed their eldest son together, Josh Brolin in February 1968. Their youngest arrived four years later in 1972. After almost 20 years of marriage, James and Jane divorced in 1984.
Tragically, in February 1995, several years after their split, Jane was involved in a fatal accident when she crashed into a tree on Josh’s 27th birthday. She passed away the following day. James later met actress Jan Smithers. The couple married in 1986 and had one daughter, Molly. However, after nine years, they divorced.
James Brolin and Jan Smithers during 43rd Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 24, 1986, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
Smithers reflected on their relationship in an interview, saying, “It was good—really good—but somehow, somewhere, we started to wander.” She explained that Brolin’s work kept him away for long periods, and she desired a simpler life outside of Hollywood. Ultimately, these differences led to their divorce.
Jan Smithers and James Brolin attend the screening of “Deep Dark Secrets” on September 9, 1987, in West Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
Despite the end of his second marriage, James found love again with singer and actress Barbra Streisand. They wed in July 1998 in her formal Malibu living room.
The intimate ceremony, attended by 105 guests, included her 89-year-old mother, Diane Kind, John Travolta and Kelly Preston, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson. “We wanted to be surrounded by people we’ve loved for a long time,” Barbra once shared.
More than two decades after his first wife’s passing, James was asked about his future plans with his family in an August 2020 interview.
He spoke fondly of his wife Barbra, saying, “Barbra really believes in leaving a legacy, so she’s been tied up writing a book about her life and career. There have been a lot of false stories about her, and she’s setting the record straight. She’s a truthmonger.”
James also reflected on his relationship with his eldest son, Josh Brolin, saying, “I don’t know how I’ll be remembered. Maybe as Josh Brolin’s dad. I watched him through all his ups and downs. As a father I was there to catch him if he fell. In the meantime, I couldn’t advise him.”
James Brolin (center), Barbra Streisand and guests pictured during James Brolin Honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 27, 1998 | Source: Getty Images
However, James Brolin made no mention of his youngest son, Jess – who is currently living modestly despite the family’s fortune. Recently uncovered photos show that Jess has been struggling for over a decade. At one point, he was living in his broken-down truck and searching through trash bins.
Although his situation has improved slightly, Jess now resides in a modest motel on the outskirts of Ojai, California, a stark contrast to Barbra’s lavish life in her $20 million Malibu mansion.
For more than ten years, Jess has shifted between temporary housing and life on the streets, and he is currently staying at the three-star Topa Vista Hotel, located near a busy highway.
James Brolin, Barbra Streisand, Josh Brolin and family pictured during James Brolin Honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 27, 1998 | Source: Getty Images
The youngest Brolin has been living in a modest motel for several months and is expected to remain there for a while longer. Although Jess’s current accommodations are humble, it is a step up from the battered 1981 Toyota truck he called home after his trust fund, inherited from his mother, ran out in 2011.
Photos from DailyMail.com capture him in 2014, just three years later, living on the streets as his life took a further downward turn. At that time, a representative for his stepmother Barbra Streisand stated, “We have offered help and support, and continue to do so. We love him very much and want only the best for him.”
Despite their efforts, Jess remains in temporary housing a decade later. His modest accommodations, owned by LA nightclub boss Steve Edelson, are a stark contrast to the luxury homes enjoyed by his famous family.
The motel features eight air-conditioned rooms and flat-screen TVs. Photos show simple but comfortable rooms, decorated with wood paneling and soft leather armchairs. In addition to his concerning lifestyle, Jess currently weighs 350 lbs.
