Josh Brolin shares a shocking childhood memory involving his father, James Brolin, who reportedly slaughtered the family pet pig and made them eat it. In a recent episode of Graham Bensinger’s “In Depth” podcast, Josh recalled a particularly grim time in his upbringing, where his father recounted how they had enjoyed what he described as “some of the best ribs” they’d ever tasted.
Josh could hardly believe it when he learned that the meal had come from one of his childhood pets, two pigs named Oink and Snort. “Did he tell you the pig story?! What a jerk! I can’t believe he would even mention that,” the actor, known for his role in “No Country for Old Men,” remarked.
As he vividly remembered raising Oink and Snort, Josh described a tense family dinner when his father casually revealed the truth behind the meal. “I helped raise these pigs, and during dinner one night, my dad said, ‘Guess what you’re eating? It’s either Oink or Snort,'” he recounted, still incredulous that a parent would share such news in a celebratory tone.
Josh pondered the psychological implications of such a revelation. “It’s astonishing to me that he would share this story, which casts him in such a harsh light,” he told Graham. “I think he wanted to make an impression, but as a parent, why would you ever do that to your child?”
He further elaborated on his complex relationship with his father, drawing a metaphor comparing him to a perpetually red traffic light. “My dad is an interesting character; he’s friendly but there’s always a stop sign,” Josh explained, depicting the frustration of wanting to connect but feeling held back.
Despite their tumultuous history, the 56-year-old actor shared that he and his father had discussed the pig incident. However, he still struggled to make sense of a parent’s decision to disclose such a traumatic piece of their childhood. James, now 84, was previously married to Josh’s mother, Jane Cameron Agee, until her passing in 1996. He also has another son, Jess, and a daughter, Molly, from other relationships, including his marriage to Barbara Streisand.
On a different note, Josh has also spoken candidly about his ongoing struggles with addiction, particularly his nicotine habits. “I have a pouch in my lip 24/7, even when I’m asleep,” he admitted during an episode of Marc Maron’s “WTF” podcast, highlighting the grip it has on his daily life.
In his memoir, “From Under the Truck,” Josh discusses his intricate relationship with his father and his personal battles in further detail, providing clarity on his childhood experiences and adult struggles.
