--- name: "James Brolin" canonical: "https://film.one/person/james-brolin" fi1m_id: "james-brolin" imdb_id: "nm0000981" tmdb_id: 9274 wikidata_id: "Q315051" roles: ["Actor"] born: "18 July 1940" reviewed_on_fi1m: 6 average_fi1m_score: 78 average_as: "actor" average_over: 5 updated: "2026-09-23T11:32:30.824423+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # James Brolin ## Identity James Brolin - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/james-brolin - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** james-brolin - **IMDb ID:** nm0000981 - **TMDB ID:** 9274 - **Wikidata ID:** Q315051 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Brolin, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q315051, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000981/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/9274 Actor. Born 18 July 1940 in Los Angeles, California, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 18 July 1940, Los Angeles, California, USA - **Active:** 1999–present - **Also known as:** Craig Kenneth Bruderlin , James M. Brolin, Craig J. Brolin, James Kenneth Bruderlin - **Titles on Fi1m:** 6: 5 acting, 1 other - **Golden Globes:** 2 Golden Globes (2 won) - **Average Fi1m score:** 78, as actor, over 5 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 86 (1), 2000s 83 (3), 2010s 84 (1), 2020s 57 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 84 to 72 across 4 titles - **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 0 at 60–79, 1 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 2 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Drama 4, Crime 2, Comedy 1, Thriller 1, Western 1 - **Screen time:** 5 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $560m across 2 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Brolin, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q315051, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000981/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/9274 ## Streaming the US now - **Apple TV:** [*Catch Me If You Can*](https://film.one/film/catch-me-if-you-can.md) (83) - **Netflix:** [*Ransom Canyon*](https://film.one/tv/ransom-canyon.md) (57) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on James Brolin > James Brolin's low, rich voice and ease with authority make him a dependable supporting actor. We value that steadiness, though the difference between *Catch Me If You Can* and *Ransom Canyon* reminds us that dependable casting only gets a story so far. James Brolin has the voice for a man used to being listened to. Its low, rich sound suits the professionals and gruff older men he is often cast to play. Television gave that authority time to settle in, first as Dr Steven Kiley in *Marcus Welby, M.D.* (1969–1976), then as Peter McDermott in *Hotel* (1983–1988). We rate him as a dependable character actor, particularly when the job is to give a supporting part some weight without becoming the centre of attention. That is the attraction of his later ensemble work, including General Ralph Landry in *Traffic* (2000) and Jack Barnes in Steven Spielberg's *Catch Me If You Can* (2002). The latter is our clearest recommendation, though Brolin is not its main attraction. We enjoyed the pursuit because Leonardo DiCaprio's charm makes the conman good company, while Christopher Walken supplies the hurt. Spielberg keeps the pursuit engrossing, even if 141 minutes allows the sentiment to linger longer than it should. *Ransom Canyon* (2025), with Brolin as Cap Fuller, is the caution against choosing by cast alone. April Blair's series has handsome scenery and enough chemistry to make its cowboy romances briefly appealing. We are less persuaded by the predictable plotting and the tiresome division of emotional labour, neither of which an authoritative presence can repair. There is a place for an actor who makes familiar material feel comfortable, but comfort is not much of a reason to keep watching a series this thin. His later work also finds a practical use for that distinctive delivery: narration on *Sweet Tooth* (2021–2024) and the voice of Zurg in *Lightyear* (2022). Alongside his work as John Short in the comedy series *Life in Pieces* (2015–2019), these are sensible ways to keep finding different kinds of work. The voice roles suit him, and the move into comedy keeps the casting from being entirely predictable. Start with *Catch Me If You Can*; approach the cowboy romances with more caution. ## Biography James Brolin is an American actor. Born Craig Kenneth Bruderlin on 18 July 1940 in Los Angeles, California, he studied at Santa Monica City College and the University of California, Los Angeles, before signing a contract with 20th Century Fox in 1960. He changed his surname to Brolin and made his screen debut in 1961. Brolin is known for his television roles as Steven Kiley on *Marcus Welby, M.D.* (1969–1976), Peter McDermott on *Hotel* (1983–1988), and John Short on *Life in Pieces* (2015–2019). His film appearances include John Blane in *Westworld* (1973), General Ralph Landry in *Traffic* (2000), Jack Barnes in *Catch Me If You Can* (2002), and the voice of Zurg in *Lightyear* (2022). He has received two Golden Globe Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (6) ### Performed in (5) — the average rests on these - *Ransom Canyon* (2025), Fi1m 57, as Cap Fuller — [page](https://film.one/tv/ransom-canyon.md) - *Community* (2009), Fi1m 83, as William Winger — [page](https://film.one/tv/community.md) - *Catch Me If You Can* (2002), Fi1m 83, as Jack Barnes — [page](https://film.one/film/catch-me-if-you-can.md) - *Traffic* (2000), Fi1m 82, as General Ralph Landry — [page](https://film.one/film/traffic.md) - *The West Wing* (1999), Fi1m 86, as Gov. Robert Ritchie — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-west-wing.md) ### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited - *True Grit* (2010), Fi1m 84, as Frank James (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/true-grit.md) ## Complete filmography (136) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Ransom Canyon* (2025), series, as Cap Fuller — Fi1m 57, [page](https://film.one/tv/ransom-canyon.md) - *Lightyear* (2022), as Zurg (voice) - *Sweet Tooth* (2021), series, as Narrator (voice) - *Royal Hearts* (2018), as Hank Pavlik · Director, Executive Producer - *Being Rose* (2017), as Max - *I'll Be Home for Christmas* (2016), as Jack · Director, Executive Producer - *A Beautiful Day* (2016), as Gene Thompson - *The Steps* (2016), as Ed - *Sisters* (2015), as Bucky Ellis - *Life in Pieces* (2015), series, as John Short - *The 33* (2015), as Jeff Hart - *Accidental Love* (2015), as Speaker Buck McCoy - *Elsa & Fred* (2014), as Max - *When Calls the Heart* (2014), series, as Judge Jedidiah Black - *Christmas with Tucker* (2013), as Bo - *Blackout* (2012), as Terrance Danfield - *Love, Wedding, Marriage* (2011), as Bradley - *Last Will* (2011), as Det. Sloan - *True Grit* (2010), as Frank James (uncredited) — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/true-grit.md) - *Burlesque* (2010), as Mr. Anderson - *Angel Camouflaged* (2010), as Salt - *The Defenders* (2010), series, as Teddy Kaczmarek - *Standing Ovation* (2010), Executive Producer - *Community* (2009), series, as William Winger — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/community.md) - *Bitter/Sweet* (2009), as Calvert Jenkins - *The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard* (2009), as Ben Selleck - *Castle* (2009), series, as Jackson Hunt — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/castle.md) - *Last Chance Harvey* (2008), as Brian - *The Secret Behind Escape* (2008), as Narrator - *Riots & Revolutions: Confronting the Times* (2008), as Narrator - *End of an Epic: The Final Battle* (2008), as Narrator - *From Alpha to Omega: Building a Sequel* (2008), as Narrator - *Evolution of the Apes* (2008), as Narrator - *Lost City Raiders* (2008), as John "Pa" Kubiak - *The American Standards* (2008), as Jack Jennings · Producer - *Bad Girl Island* (2007), as Terry Bamba · Co-Producer - *The Hunting Party* (2007), as Franklin Harris - *Wedding Wars* (2006), as Governor Conrad Welling - *Psych* (2006), series, as Hank Mendel - *The Alibi* (2006), as Bob Hatch - *Category 7: The End of the World* (2005), series, as Donny Hall - *Widow on the Hill* (2005), as Hank Cavanaugh - *The Reagans* (2003), as Ronald Reagan - *The Reagans* (2003), series, as Ronald Reagan - *A Guy Thing* (2003), as Ken Cooper - *Antwone Fisher* (2002), as The Captain (uncredited) - *Catch Me If You Can* (2002), as Jack Barnes — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/catch-me-if-you-can.md) - *The Master of Disguise* (2002), as Fabbrizio Disguisey - *Monk* (2002), series, as Daniel Thorn - *Traffic* (2000), as General Ralph Landry — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/traffic.md) - *Children of Fortune* (2000), as Dave Passenger - *The West Wing* (1999), series, as Gov. Robert Ritchie — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-west-wing.md) - *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Richard Finley - *To Love, Honor, & Betray* (1999), as Ted Brennan - *A Marriage of Convenience* (1998), as Mason Whitney - *The Haunted Sea* (1997), as Captain Ramsey - *My Brother's War* (1997), as John Hall · Director - *Pensacola: Wings of Gold* (1997), series, as Lt. Col. Bill Kelly · Director - *Scent of Vengeance* (1997), as John Richardson - *Lewis & Clark & George* (1997), as Reverend Red - *We the People* (1997), as Alan Lesard · Executive Producer - *Goodbye America* (1997), as Ed Johnson - *To Face Her Past* (1996), as Greg Hollander - *Tracks of a Killer* (1996), as David Hawkner - *Hijacked: Flight 285* (1996), as Ron Showman - *Hart to Hart: Harts in High Season* (1996), as Elliott Manning - *Blood Money* (1996), as Lt. Kincaid - *Terminal Virus* (1995), as McCabe - *Savate* (1995), as Colonel Jones - *The Expert* (1995), as Warden Munsey - *Der schwarze Fluch* (1995), as David Levinski / Charles Marlowe - *Extreme* (1995), series, as Reese Wheeler - *Indecent Behavior II* (1994), as Liam O'Donnell - *Relative Fear* (1994), as Det. Atwater - *Perry Mason: The Case of the Grimacing Governor* (1994), as Ryan Allison - *The Visual Bible: Acts* (1994), as Peter - *Parallel Lives* (1994), as Professor Spencer Jones - *Burke's Law* (1994), series, as Mitchell Farrell - *Angel Falls* (1993), series, as Luke Larson - *Cheatin' Hearts* (1993), as Henry - *Gunsmoke: The Long Ride* (1993), as John Parsley - *Visions of Murder* (1993), as Hal - *The Sands of Time* (1992), as Col. Ramon Acoca - *Gas Food Lodging* (1992), as John Evans - *Twin Sisters* (1992), as Michael Mallory - *Ted & Venus* (1991), as Max Waters - *And the Sea Will Tell* (1991), as Mac Graham - *And the Sea Will Tell* (1991), series, as Mac Graham - *Nightmare on the 13th Floor* (1990), as Dr. Alan Lanier - *Back Stab* (1990), as Cliff Murphy - *High Score* (1990), as Budetzky - *Bad Jim* (1990), as B.D. Sweetman - *The Earth Day Special* (1990), as Doctor - *Voice of the Heart* (1989), as Victor Mason - *Finish Line* (1989), as Martin Shrevelow - *Intimate Betrayal* (1987), as Michael Wakefield - *Hold the Dream* (1987), series, as Ross Nelson - *Intimate Encounters* (1986), as Nick Atkins - *Beverly Hills Cowgirl Blues* (1985), as Harry Wilde - *Pee-wee's Big Adventure* (1985), as "P. W." - *Cowboy* (1983), as Ward McNally - *White Water Rebels* (1983), as Mike McKay - *Hotel* (1982), series, as Peter McDermott · Director - *Mae West* (1982), as Jim Timony - *The Ambush Murders* (1982), as Paul Marshall - *High Risk* (1981), as Stone - *Night of the Juggler* (1980), as Sean Boyd - *The Amityville Horror* (1979), as George Lutz - *Steel Cowboy* (1978), as Clayton Pfanner - *Capricorn One* (1977), as Col. Charles Brubaker - *The Car* (1977), as Wade Parent - *Gable and Lombard* (1976), as Clark Gable - *Trapped* (1974), as Chuck Brenner - *Westworld* (1973), as John Blane - *Class of '63* (1973), as Joe Hart - *Short Walk to Daylight* (1972), as Tom Phelan - *Skyjacked* (1972), as Jerome K. Weber - *Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law* (1971), series, as Dr. Steven Kiley - *Love, American Style* (1969), series, Actor - *Marcus Welby, M.D.* (1969), series, as Dr. Steven Kiley - *Marcus Welby, M.D.: A Matter of Humanities* (1969), as Steven Kiley - *The Boston Strangler* (1968), as Det. Sgt. Phil Lisi - *The Cape Town Affair* (1967), as Skip McCoy - *Way... Way Out* (1966), as Ted Robertson - *The Monroes* (1966), series, Actor - *Fantastic Voyage* (1966), as Technician - *Planet of the Apes Test Reel* (1966), as Cornelius - *Our Man Flint* (1966), as Technician (uncredited) - *Batman* (1966), series, as Officer Reggie Hogan, Driver, Kid Gulliver - *Von Ryan's Express* (1965), as Private Ames - *John Goldfarb, Please Come Home!* (1965), as Notre Dame Quarterback (uncredited) - *Dear Brigitte* (1965), as Student at Leaf Rally - *Valentine's Day* (1964), series, Actor - *Take Her, She's Mine* (1963), as Mel (uncredited) - *The Patty Duke Show* (1963), series, Actor - *Bus Stop* (1961), series, Actor ## Gallery - ![Barbra Streisand and James Brolin at the Clinton "Health Matters" Conference in La Quinta, California (2013)](https://film.one/media/person/97646/gallery-dcaf823edb04.jpg) Barbra Streisand and James Brolin at the Clinton "Health Matters" Conference in La Quinta, California (2013) — lifescript, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/51/Barbra_Streisand_and_James_Brolin.jpg/1280px-Barbra_Streisand_and_James_Brolin.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![James Brolin poses with a fan at the Filmex Tribute to Elizabeth Taylor, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, November 1981.](https://film.one/media/person/97646/gallery-e20eae85fe9b.jpg) James Brolin poses with a fan at the Filmex Tribute to Elizabeth Taylor, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, November 1981. — Photo by Alan Light., CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/64/JamesBrolin.jpg/1280px-JamesBrolin.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Publicity photo of James Brolin who played Dr. Kiley in the television program Marcus Welby, M.D..](https://film.one/media/person/97646/gallery-99a2e63fbe45.jpg) Publicity photo of James Brolin who played Dr. Kiley in the television program Marcus Welby, M.D.. — ABC Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/20/James_Brolin_1974.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![James Brolin](https://film.one/media/person/97646/gallery-19332c7b45b2.jpg) James Brolin — lifescript, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/eb/James_Brolin_2013_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-James_Brolin_2013_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![James Brolin](https://film.one/media/person/97646/gallery-7e005b488a44.jpg) James Brolin — Image via TMDB - ![James Brolin](https://film.one/media/person/97646/gallery-959edee7ce32.jpg) James Brolin — Image via TMDB - ![James Brolin](https://film.one/media/person/97646/gallery-bf73f0c07fd8.jpg) James Brolin — Image via TMDB - ![Publicity photo of James Brolin as Dr. Steven Kiley from the premiere of the television program Marcus Welby, M.D..](https://film.one/media/person/97646/gallery-eae9d0823eaf.jpg) Publicity photo of James Brolin as Dr. Steven Kiley from the premiere of the television program Marcus Welby, M.D.. — ABC Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8d/James_Brolin_Kiley_Marcus_Welby_1969.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) ## Awards ### Golden Globes — 2 won - 1973: Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film (won), for *Marcus Welby, M.D.* - 1971: Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film (won), for *Marcus Welby, M.D.* ### Primetime Emmy Awards — 1 won - 1970: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (won), for *Marcus Welby, M.D.* *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/james-brolin