Josh Brolin: Hollywood Hiatus Led to Stint as Stock Trader

Actor Josh Brolin has shared that he spent nearly five years as a full-time stock trader during a period when his acting career was not gaining traction. Brolin, who gained early recognition in the 1985 film "The Goonies," told Theo Von on the "This Past Weekend" podcast that despite this initial success, his career in Hollywood was slow to progress.

Brolin stated that he had a significant number of auditions, around 350, before landing the role in "The Goonies." He recalled that on his first day of shooting, he struggled to control his laughter due to nervousness, prompting director Steven Spielberg to advise him to take a breath.

Following "The Goonies," Brolin moved to New York to study acting and pursue theater. He described dedicating 22 years to his craft before experiencing a significant career shift with his role in the 2007 film "No Country for Old Men."

During this earlier period of his career, Brolin worked various jobs, including a year as a landscaper. Around the age of 30, he transitioned to working as a stock trader for almost five years. "I was really good at it," Brolin said, detailing how he managed trading from home using multiple screens and numerous trading tabs. He noted that he engaged in both swing trading and day trading.

Brolin indicated that the income generated during his years as a stock trader surpassed what he had earned in two decades of acting. He specifically mentioned that for his role in "No Country for Old Men," he was paid $100,000, which after deductions, amounted to approximately $30,000, which he did not consider a high-earning year.

His acting career began to rebound after "No Country for Old Men." While filming that movie, Brolin submitted an audition tape for "American Gangster." He stated that this was the last audition he ever performed.

Brolin's recent acting roles include a part in the thriller "Whalefall," where he portrays the estranged father of a diver who is swallowed by a whale.