Josh Brolin | This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von #690

Sobriety and Shared Experience [00:00:00]

• Josh Brolin and Theo Von acknowledge their shared experience with sobriety, finding comfort in discussing it openly.
• Von mentions his new Netflix special, "Is Doing Fine," out October 20th, and a merch restock at theovonstore.com.

  "it's nice to talk to another alcoholic totally is that okay to say yeah i think everybody knows it by now"

The "Cito Rats" Identity [00:10:00]

• Brolin explains that "Cito Rats" is not his company but a group he grew up with in Montecito.
• He shares the tragic statistic that 36 out of 50 friends from that group are now deceased.

  "i'm so sick of hearing those stories that i'm gonna spearhead this whole thing so i've brought the whole thing back as a like survived and updated like new and improved"

Symbolism of the Rat [00:15:00]

• Brolin draws parallels between rats and resilience, noting their ability to swim for three days and their sensitive whiskers.
• He highlights that rats do not vomit, allowing them to survive in harsh environments, comparing them to an "upscaled cockroach."

  "rats can swim for up to three days right okay they can tread water for up to three days dude right on so that is a survive like that thing is a fucking that's a badass dude"

Childhood and Emotional Development [00:20:00]

• Brolin discusses his mother, a wildlife activist, and the chaotic environment of their ranch, where animals like wolves and mountain lions were present.
• He recounts his brother receiving 60 stitches from a wolf, suggesting his mother prioritized animals over her children's emotional needs.

  "emotions and all that weren't it's not that they weren't allowed it's just there was so much there was such a high level of chaos that you just didn't you know what were you gonna do"

Alcohol and Cocaine Use [00:25:00]

• Both Brolin and Von discuss how alcohol and cocaine helped them escape difficult emotions and self-criticism.
• Von describes drinking as a way to silence the inner voice telling him he was a "piece of shit."

  "when i drank it was like the it was the best it was like god feeling it was like i don't have to think at all now i can do whatever i want"

Wolf Attack and Exotic Animals [00:30:00]

• Brolin elaborates on his childhood, living on a 230-acre ranch where his mother housed rescued animals.
• He recounts an incident where his brother was attacked by a wolf and mentions having a bear and a chimpanzee named Reggie.

  "my mom was from texas my mom was from corpus christi texas five foot three super loud like the voice of a six foot eight man"

Reggie the Chimpanzee [00:32:00]

• Brolin shares an anecdote about Reggie, the chimpanzee, who learned to handle a gun by watching Arnold Schwarzenegger movies.
• Reggie once emerged from his cage and held a gun at a man fixing a chicken coop.

  "he grabbed the gun fucking put one because he had seen it obviously in a movie put one in the chamber and the guy reggie did red reggie did"

Mother's Influence and Personality [00:35:00]

• Brolin describes his mother as a strong, severe, and unconventional woman who was also a heavy drinker.
• He recalls her unique way of greeting people and her ability to manipulate situations, like calling truckers via CB radio.

  "my mom didn't just say hi how you doing she grabbed you by the lapels and pulled you across the table and planted one on your mouth"

Early Acting Career Struggles [00:45:00]

• Brolin discusses his early career, including his role in "The Goonies," and the subsequent 22 years of struggling to find work.
• He admits to being a terrible auditioner, citing Meryl Poster's comment about him and Benicio del Toro being the worst auditioners she experienced.

  "i went in and audition and they're like you have to sing something and i can't sing at all right"

"The Goonies" and Its Impact [00:50:00]

• Brolin reflects on "The Goonies" being a massive cultural phenomenon at the time of its release.
• He questions if his stories of a difficult childhood are real when looking at photos of himself from that era, appearing healthy and naive.

  "i look at that and then i think i'm lying do you know how like if you look back at your stories and all that kind of stuff and you're talking about your mom"

Transition to Trading [01:00:00]

• After struggling in acting, Brolin worked as a landscaper and then became a full-time stock trader for nearly five years.
• He made more money in those four years of trading than he had in 20 years of acting.

  "i made more money in those four years really it was five years but it within four years than i had made in 20 years acting damn"

"No Country for Old Men" and "American Gangster" [01:05:00]

• Brolin discusses his role in "No Country for Old Men," for which he was paid $100,000, clearing about $30,000.
• He then landed a role in "American Gangster" after sending in a tape with his son playing Denzel Washington's part.

  "i had been doing it already for 22 years 20 whatever years how much they paid you to be in no country"

Jeff Bridges and "Crazy Heart" [01:15:00]

• Brolin shares a positive experience meeting Jeff Bridges, discussing recovery, Buddhism, and Bridges's own journey.
• He recalls Bridges saying he missed being an underdog after the success of "Crazy Heart."

  "he said we can get some soup and i come back yeah soup just randomly yeah he could because he can say whatever he wants and it works"

"Whale Fall" and Its Emotional Impact [01:25:00]

• Brolin describes his new film "Whale Fall," based on Daniel Kraus's book, which deeply moved him.
• He explains the premise: a son searching for his father's remains after he's swallowed by a whale.

  "i remember getting to the end of the book and i slowed it down which i hadn't done for a long time and slowed it down because i didn't want it to end"

The "Cito Rats" Brand and Legacy [01:35:00]

• Brolin discusses refurbishing the "Cito Rats" brand to represent survival and resilience, distinct from its destructive past.
• He mentions officiating a wedding for a friend whose father was a "Mesa Rat," highlighting the generational impact of the "Cito Rats" culture.

  "it was purely out of reaction of being sick of hearing the stories you know it's like you're like okay these guys are sober now"

Cormac McCarthy and His Legacy [01:45:00]

• Brolin shares his close friendship with author Cormac McCarthy, being with him the night he died and inheriting his typewriter and pool table.
• He notes McCarthy's vast library, including thousands of books on math and whales, reflecting his multifaceted interests.

  "he's a good dude i like the hard guys i like the i like the guys that like you you think that like cormac and the that he wrote is so severe and so you know but then he was the nicest guy"

Experimenting with Life and Fame [01:50:00]

• Brolin views life, including fame, as an experiment, emphasizing the importance of remaining malleable and open to new experiences.
• He contrasts this with the desire to be defined by a singular identity, advocating for continuous learning and self-discovery.

  "i don't want to be defined i don't want to be defined i don't want you to know who i am because i don't know who i am"

"Whale Fall" and "The Fisherman" Projects [01:55:00]

• Brolin discusses how the book "Whale Fall" inspired him, leading to the film and a future project called "The Fisherman."
• He reveals a true story about a man surviving 12.5 hours in the ocean, which he will portray alongside Jeremy Renner.

  "i got super inspired by that and then i wrote a new story that we're going to do in january called the fisherman and then after that which is like this is full circle with the rat"

The Power of Shared Interests [02:00:00]

• Brolin and Von reflect on the importance of shared interests, like motorcycles and UFC, as a "through line" in life.
• They discuss how these connections provide a sense of community and belonging.

  "it's nice to have the through line that's what i'm saying about the motorcycles and and you know it's like you have the through line man"

Resentment and Self-Acceptance [02:05:00]

• Von shares a profound realization from a sobriety meeting: "I'm unacceptable to myself," which he describes as a significant moment of self-loathing.
• Tony Hopkins's perspective that alcoholics, given tools, can have a greater impact than others, resonates with both men.

  "i'm unacceptable to myself yeah and i had never heard those words before yeah and it was like man that's a lot of and i'm not in self-pity"

The Nature of Fame [02:10:00]

• Brolin and Von discuss how fame can lead to being defined by a public persona, which they resist.
• They emphasize the importance of not being imprisoned by an identity and the freedom to continue exploring different aspects of life.

  "i don't want to be defined as an alcoholic i don't want to be defined as famous i don't want to be defined even as an actor"

The Actor as a Mirror [02:15:00]

• Brolin views actors as mirrors, reflecting humanity's foibles and absurdities back to the audience.
• He believes this allows people to laugh at themselves and connect with stories on an emotional level.

  "you're a mirror you throw back in people's face and they can laugh at it they can laugh at their foibles they can laugh at their you know how absurd we are"

The "Whale Fall" Tattoo [02:20:00]

• Brolin reveals a tattoo inspired by "Whale Fall," a lighthouse and nautical imagery, done in honor of someone who passed away.
• He sees it as a personal reminder and a symbol of carrying something significant.

  "i did let's go i did you admit that i mean it meant that much and it was a let me see it one more time man"

Connecting Through Stories [02:25:00]

• Brolin expresses gratitude for the opportunity to share stories that can inspire others, like "Whale Fall."
• He highlights the power of connection through shared experiences, particularly father-son relationships.

  "thanks for telling me about whale fall and just that it meant something to you because yeah sometimes it's like you don't know who else is looking for that little piece of connection"

Final Thoughts on Creativity and Connection [02:30:00]

• Both Brolin and Von express appreciation for their time together and the creative process.
• They acknowledge the value of sharing moments and finding common ground, even in unexpected places.

  "nice spending time bro you too dude nice to get to catch up nice to get to say hello and to spend some time together man"