Josh Brolin Says Nepotism Worked Against Him When He Auditioned For The Goonies: ‘Just Ridiculous’

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Hard to believe that The Goonies is already 40 years old! That was Josh Brolin‘s debut film, and now, four decades later, he’s a well-known and in-demand actor with numerous movies lined up for release in 2025. Yet, when the Academy Award nominee looked back on his time as part of The Goonies cast, he discussed how being a “nepo baby” (short for nepotism baby) affected him negatively.

Over the past few years, numerous actors with well-known parents have been sharing their experiences about growing up as the offspring of a prominent figure in Hollywood. For instance, Lily-Rose Depp, daughter of Johnny Depp, has expressed feeling like people were waiting for her to fail since she was young. In contrast, Josh Brolin, son of James Brolin, found that being a “nepo baby” (a term referring to individuals who have benefited from their family’s connections in the entertainment industry) meant he had to work harder to establish himself in the business when he started out. As he put it:

It wasn’t planned at all that The Goonies was my big break. I was told they would use nepotism to get me in, asking if I was James Brolin’s son and whether I wanted to act. But instead, they challenged me, saying ‘Prove it.’ They didn’t offer any help because they thought I would easily make it. However, I spent most of my time reading Stanislavski books, Grotowski, the Poor Theatre, and Antonin Artaud’s Theatre of Cruelty in a bookstore to hone my acting skills.

Or, more informally:

My role in The Goonies wasn’t some lucky break due to family connections. I was told they’d use nepotism to get me the part, asking if I was James Brolin’s son and if I wanted to act. Instead, they tested my mettle by saying ‘Prove it.’ They didn’t offer help because they thought I would breeze through it. But instead of relying on connections, I spent most of my time reading acting books in a bookstore to prepare myself.

On the “Literally! With Rob Lowe” podcast, Brolin reminisced about landing his first Hollywood role, explaining that having a well-known father made it difficult for him to secure roles initially. It seemed as though this connection gave others the impression that he believed life was easy for him, and they required further persuasion. As he went on:

Afterward, I encountered Dick Donner and Steven Spielberg, and I seemed to be a perfect fit for the role. Considering Sean Astin and the nature of the movie, I had a rebellious yet athletic vibe, and was physically fit. They thought I was just the right person for the job. I went back for auditions six times to ensure they made the correct choice, and eventually, I landed the part.

Could you envision your initial career opportunity alongside filmmakers such as Steven Spielberg and Richard Donner? Incredibly, that’s quite a scenario! For those who may assume Josh Brolin landed the role due to nepotism because his father was an actor, it seems he truly had to demonstrate his worth. It appears to be a matter of being in the right place at the right time.

It’s worth noting that Brolin isn’t the only cast member from a well-connected Hollywood family in “The Goonies”. Sean Astin, who stars in the film, is the son of two-time Academy Award winner Patty Duke. However, the movie also featured actors like Corey Feldman and Ke Huy Quan who were new to acting and came from working-class backgrounds. For instance, Feldman’s mother worked as a cocktail waitress, while Quan’s family had fled Vietnam during the war and were part of the Refugee Admissions Program in 1979.

Previously, Brolin predicted that fame would swiftly follow his role in The Goonies. However, he faced professional hurdles immediately afterward, causing a temporary disappearance from the silver screen. He wouldn’t grace the big screen again until 1997 with Mimic, and it wasn’t until he was cast in No Country For Old Men by the Coen brothers that he truly gained recognition. This role brought both critical acclaim and commercial success, significantly propelling his career – yet, it seems his journey to stardom was far from effortless.

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2025-03-23 02:38