Josh Brolin Reflects on Sobriety and Colleague Philip Seymour Hoffman in Latest Memoir

In his forthcoming memoir «From Under the Truck,» actor Josh Brolin opens up about his tumultuous life and career, as well as his journey towards sobriety. The memoir details a pivotal moment in Brolin’s life in 1992, when he encountered fellow actor Philip Seymour Hoffman in Manhattan’s Upper West Side. At that time, Hoffman was freshly sober and commencing his illustrious career, while Brolin was struggling with substance abuse.

«There is sweat all over my bare chest,» Brolin writes, recalling the uncomfortable encounter. «I know he’s sober. I’m not anymore. He knows that too.» This meeting left a lasting impact on Brolin, especially as Hoffman passed away from a drug overdose in 2014, about a year after Brolin had overcome his addictions. The two actors had stayed in contact, with Hoffman expressing interest in directing Brolin in a stage production of Kenneth Lonergan’s «Hold On to Me Darling.»

Reflecting on Hoffman’s death, Brolin comments, «This was a guy who became all of our favorite actor. He was the most talented of all of us.» This death is one of many gut-wrenching stories Brolin includes to highlight the dangers of living recklessly. Brolin, who candidly describes himself as «birthed to drink,» outlines a childhood filled with exposure to alcohol by his mother, Jane Cameron Agee.

Throughout his youth, Brolin indulged in alcohol and drugs, smoking pot at age 9 and trying LSD at 13. His turbulent life led to numerous incidents, including jail stints and an arrest in Costa Rica. In «From Under the Truck,» Brolin confronts these experiences with brutal honesty.

Brolin notes the significant change in his life since achieving sobriety 11 years ago, prompted by a moment of realization at his grandmother’s deathbed. «I had a moment where she smiled at me, and I thought, ‘How dare I?'» he recalls, leading to his decision to embrace sobriety fully.

The book presents a non-linear narrative style, blending memories from Brolin’s upbringing on a California ranch with anecdotes from his acting career, and includes candid reflections on personal incidents and industry experiences. During an Audible recording of his memoir, Brolin experienced doubts about its revealing nature but eventually accepted its authenticity. «This book is 1,000% what it wanted and needed to be,» he states.

Among the stories, Brolin touches on his mixed feelings about the film industry, expressing a particular disappointment with the Oscars for overlooking «Dune» director Denis Villeneuve for an Academy Award nomination. Brolin is passionate about Villeneuve’s work, particularly the sequel «Dune: Part Two,» declaring it superior to the first film.