Josh Brolin opens up about his wild childhood and troubled past in new memoir

Josh Brolin has shared eye-opening stories about his childhood and personal struggles in his new memoir, 'From Under the Truck'.
In an interview with The Times, the actor talked about his late mother, Jane Cameron Agee, and some of the wild experiences that shaped his life.
Jane, a wildlife conservationist, had an unusual way of dealing with her sons, Josh and his brother Jess. According to the memoir, she would sometimes shout “Sic ’em!” at wild animals like cougars, coyotes, and bobcats, causing them to chase after the boys. Josh recalled how terrifying these moments could be, saying that if they didn’t make it indoors quickly, they’d spend the day tending to scratches and wounds from the animals.
Despite these frightening encounters, Josh said he doesn’t want to portray his mother negatively. He described her as a complicated but vibrant figure who could be a handful but was always someone you’d want around.
Jane’s life was tragically cut short in a car accident in 1995 when she was 55 years old. At the time, Josh was battling a heroin addiction and thought 55 was a long life. Now 56 himself and years removed from his struggles with addiction, he realizes how misguided that perspective was.
Josh also opened up about his turbulent teenage years in the book, including trying acid at age 13 and showing up drunk at his grandmother’s deathbed. These moments reflect the chaos and challenges he faced before turning his life around.
'From Under the Truck', releasing Tuesday, delves deeper into Josh’s journey, from a childhood marked by wild animal encounters to overcoming addiction and finding stability. Fans looking for raw and personal stories about his past will find plenty to uncover in the memoir.