It’s often said that a person facing a severe test of character is going through a “crucible.” For Josh Brolin, that crucible was the year 2013, a year filled with personal and professional challenges. He started the year in trouble with the law, found sobriety, ended a long-term relationship, began a new one, and starred in several films. He was also stabbed in an attempted mugging, an incident that could have been fatal. Yet, instead of succumbing to his injuries, he was back on set just ten days later.
New Year’s Day Arrest: On January 1, 2013, Brolin was found on a Santa Monica footpath, too drunk to care for himself, and was arrested for public intoxication. This incident was a wake-up call for Brolin, who had struggled with substance abuse throughout his life. He checked into rehab and has remained sober since. In March 2014, he told The Guardian that this was a turning point, making him realize he needed to change and mature.
Personal Life Changes: A month after his arrest, Brolin’s nine-year marriage to Diane Lane ended amicably. Shortly after, he began dating his former assistant, Kathryn Boyd, who became his third wife in 2016. The couple has two children, Westlyn Reign and Chapel Grace, born in 2018 and 2020.
Near-Fatal Stabbing: While on vacation in Costa Rica, Brolin was stabbed during an attempted mugging. The attacker stabbed him in the stomach, but miraculously, the knife hit his umbilical ligament, the densest ligament in the body, which slowed the blade and prevented it from hitting vital organs. The knife missed his aortic artery by less than two millimeters, a wound that would have been fatal.
Surviving and Thriving: Despite the severity of the injury, Brolin survived and returned to work on the set of “Inherent Vice” just ten days later. He believes in fate and destiny, seeing his survival as a sign of greater things to come. Many of his most successful films, including his role as Thanos in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, were made after this incident.
Josh Brolin’s 2013 was a year of immense personal and professional challenges. From his arrest and sobriety to a divorce and a new relationship, and surviving a near-fatal stabbing, Brolin’s journey through these trials showcased his resilience and determination. His ability to bounce back and achieve greater success in Hollywood is a testament to his character and strength.