For decades, James Brolin has been a familiar face on screen, but it’s his life off camera—especially his marriage to Barbra Streisand and his son Josh Brolin’s Hollywood success—that often draws the most curiosity. Whether you’re wondering about his age, his net worth, or the recent health rumors, this article separates fact from speculation using verified sources and a clear timeline of his family and career.

Born: July 18, 1940 (Los Angeles, CA) ·
Spouse: Barbra Streisand (m. 1998) ·
Children: Josh Brolin (born 1968) and three others ·
Awards: 2 Golden Globes, 1 Emmy ·
Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact net worth of James Brolin (no reliable public figure)
  • Recent health status of James Brolin (no official statements)
  • Barbra Streisand’s new diagnosis details (unconfirmed reports)
  • Josh Brolin’s net worth (estimates range from $25M to $45M)
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Continued acting: “I don’t plan on stopping work at any time” (People)
  • Potential new projects in development (People)
  • Family updates around Josh Brolin and Barbra Streisand (People)

Five key facts about James Brolin at a glance:

Label Value
Full Name Craig Kenneth Bruderlin (born James Brolin) (TV Insider)
Date of Birth July 18, 1940 (TV Insider)
Place of Birth Los Angeles, California (People)
Spouse Barbra Streisand (married July 1, 1998) (People)
Children Josh Brolin (b. Feb 12, 1968) and three others (Screendollars (celebrity finance site))
Awards 2 Golden Globes, 1 Primetime Emmy (People)

What’s the age difference between Barbra Streisand and James Brolin?

Calculating the age gap

The numbers confirm a narrow gap. James Brolin was born July 18, 1940, and Barbra Streisand was born April 24, 1942 — a difference of 1 year, 9 months (TV Insider). That places Brolin as the older partner by less than two years, a gap that has rarely drawn public comment.

Three personalities, three birth dates, one pattern: each generation shifted by roughly a decade.

Person Birth Date Age in 2025
James Brolin July 18, 1940 (TV Insider) 85
Barbra Streisand April 24, 1942 (People) 83
Josh Brolin February 12, 1968 (Screendollars) 57

The pattern: each generation in this family shifted by roughly a decade, making the age gap between Brolin and Streisand almost negligible.

How they met

The couple met through a blind date set up by a mutual friend in 1996, according to multiple accounts. They married two years later on July 1, 1998 (People).

Their marriage

By 2025, Brolin and Streisand have been married 27 years, a rare longevity in Hollywood. Streisand has called Brolin the love of her life in interviews (ABC News).

The upshot

The age gap is negligible by Hollywood standards—less than two years. The real takeaway is the stability: a marriage that has outlasted many in the industry, partly because both partners prioritized family over career conflicts.

Bottom line: James Brolin (85) and Barbra Streisand (83) share a nearly identical generational timeline. For fans curious about age-gap dynamics, the answer is straightforward: it’s barely a gap at all.

Who is James Brolin’s famous son?

Josh Brolin’s career

Josh Brolin, born February 12, 1968, in Santa Monica, California (Screendollars), is best known for his roles in No Country for Old Men, Avengers: Infinity War, and Dune. His estimated net worth varies widely: Screendollars reports $25 million, while other sources place it as high as $35 million (TheRichest (celebrity wealth tracker)) or $25–45 million (Socialite Life Magazine (entertainment site)).

Relationship with father

James Brolin has spoken warmly about his son’s success. In a 2024 interview with People, he said, “I don’t plan on stopping work at any time” (People), a sentiment that mirrors his son’s own work ethic. The two have occasionally appeared together at industry events.

Family background

Josh is James Brolin’s eldest child from his first marriage to Jane Cameron Agee. He grew up in Southern California (Screendollars) and later credited his father for early guidance.

The pattern

Hollywood father-son success stories are rare above two generations. James Brolin (85) and Josh Brolin (57) represent one of the few active cross-generational acting families, with James still taking roles while Josh carries the blockbuster torch.

Did Barbra Streisand have children with James Brolin?

Barbra Streisand’s son Jason Gould

Streisand has one biological son, Jason Gould, born in 1966 from her marriage to Elliott Gould. The couple split in 1971 (IMDb (entertainment database)).

James Brolin’s children

James Brolin has three children from previous marriages: Josh Brolin (with Jane Cameron Agee) and daughters Molly and Jess from his marriage to Jan Smithers (TV Insider).

Blended family

Brolin and Streisand did not have any children together. Their family is a blend of four children from prior relationships: Josh, Molly, Jess, and Jason. Streisand is stepmother to Josh Brolin (Screendollars).

The trade-off

The couple chose not to have biological children together, but their blended family has remained intact. For readers evaluating late-life marriage dynamics, the example shows that step-relationships can function as effectively as biological ties when both partners are committed.

What has happened to James Brolin?

Recent projects

James Brolin continued acting into his 80s. He starred in Netflix’s Sweet Tooth (2021) and the sitcom The Kominsky Method (2018–2021) alongside Michael Douglas (ABC News). By mid-2025 he had accumulated over 100 onscreen credits (People).

Health update

No major health issues have been publicly reported for Brolin. In 2024 he told People he had no intention of retiring (People), suggesting he remains in good health.

Marriage longevity

As of 2025, Brolin remains married to Barbra Streisand. The couple celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary in July 2025 (People).

What to watch

Rumors about Streisand’s health surfaced in 2025, but no official statement has confirmed a new diagnosis. Until a tier-1 source (such as a family representative) speaks, these remain unverified claims.

Who was Barbra Streisand’s love of her life?

James Brolin as the love of her life

Barbra Streisand has repeatedly called James Brolin the love of her life in interviews (ABC News). The couple’s relationship began with a blind date in 1996 and has lasted nearly three decades.

Previous relationships

Streisand was married to Elliott Gould from 1963 to 1971 (with whom she has son Jason), and had a long-term relationship with producer Jon Peters from 1974 to 1982 (IMDb).

Public statements

In a 2018 ABC News profile, Streisand described Brolin as “the one” (ABC News). Brolin reciprocated the sentiment, saying, “She’s the most extraordinary woman I’ve ever met.”

James Brolin career timeline

  • 1940: Born Craig Kenneth Bruderlin in Los Angeles (TV Insider)
  • 1961: Film debut in “Pilot”
  • 1970: Won Primetime Emmy Award for “Marcus Welby, M.D.” (People)
  • 1998: Married Barbra Streisand; received Hollywood Walk of Fame star (Hollywood Walk of Fame)
  • 2018–2021: Starred in “The Kominsky Method” and “Sweet Tooth” (ABC News)

What we know and what’s uncertain

Confirmed facts

  • James Brolin born July 18, 1940 (TV Insider)
  • Married to Barbra Streisand since 1998 (People)
  • Son Josh Brolin is an actor (TV Insider)
  • Over 100 acting credits (People)

What’s unclear

  • Exact net worth of James Brolin
  • Recent health status of James Brolin
  • Barbra Streisand’s new diagnosis details
  • Josh Brolin’s precise net worth (reports vary from $25M to $45M)

“I don’t plan on stopping work at any time.”

— James Brolin, 2024 interview with People

“He is the love of my life.”

— Barbra Streisand, as quoted in multiple interviews (ABC News)

For James Brolin’s fans and his blended family, the implication is clear: he remains active professionally and personally, while the rumors around Streisand’s health remain unconfirmed. The coming months may bring either a new project announcement or a family update.

For a detailed biography of James Brolin, this comprehensive profile offers verified facts.

Frequently asked questions

What is James Brolin’s real name?

His real name is Craig Kenneth Bruderlin. He changed his surname to Brolin at age 20 (Hollywood Walk of Fame).

How tall is James Brolin?

He is 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) (IMDb).

What is James Brolin’s net worth?

Exact net worth is not publicly confirmed. Estimates vary widely; no authoritative source has published a verified figure.

Does James Brolin have any daughters?

Yes, two daughters from his marriage to Jan Smithers: Molly and Jess (TV Insider).

What was James Brolin’s first movie?

His film debut was “Pilot” in 1961 (IMDb).

Has James Brolin ever been married before?

Yes, he was married to Jane Cameron Agee (1965–1984) and Jan Smithers (1986–1995) before marrying Barbra Streisand in 1998 (TV Insider).

What is James Brolin’s most famous role?

He is best known for his role as Dr. Steven Kiley on “Marcus Welby, M.D.” (1969–1976), for which he won an Emmy (People).