Brolin's Brush with Bond: Hollywood Legend Nearly Played James Bond
James Brolin Spills Juicy Secrets About His Career and Marriage
In a shocking revelation, James Brolin has dropped a bombshell that could have changed the course of his career forever. The 85-year-old actor, who turns a ripe age on July 18, reminisced about the time he was offered the coveted role of James Bond in the 1983 blockbuster "Octopussy." And let's just say it's a tale of what ifs and missed opportunities.
Brolin revealed that after Roger Moore swore off playing Bond for good, Brolin was tapped to take on the iconic role. He flew over to meet with the team, got his apartment ready, and even started working with the stuntmen. But little did he know, Moore had a change of heart, and Brolin was left in the dust.
"I got back to L.A. to get my stuff because I was going to be gone for a year," Brolin recalled to People magazine. "And then I got a call saying Roger decided to do one more, and I was out." Talk about a heartbreaker!
At that point in his career, Brolin was looking for his next big thing. He had just come off the wildly successful horror film "Amityville Horror," where he played George Lutz, the patriarch of the haunted family. And let's be real, who wouldn't want to be a leading man after starring in one of the biggest-grossing independent films of all time?
But Brolin was on a different path. He turned down the role of Superman because he didn't want to be "hung up on wires in a big red sock." Yeah, we can see why! Instead, he went on to play Ronald Reagan and Clark Gable in various roles, which he claims are his true passions.
"I really liked playing those guys," Brolin gushed. "I loved playing a guy that was going nuts in Amityville too!" It's clear that character acting is where it's at for this talented actor.
But what about his personal life? Well, let's just say James and Barbra Streisand are still going strong after 27 years of marriage! The couple met on a blind date 29 years ago, courtesy of mutual friends. And oh boy, did they hit it off!
"Everyone could see it immediately," Brolin's manager Jeff Wald told McCalls magazine back in the day. "They didn't look up, they didn't talk to anyone else, I don't even think they ate." Talk about chemistry!
The couple would often drive out to San Bernardino county, California, with James behind the wheel and Barbra making sandwiches in her lap. Who knew these two were such adventurous types?
One interesting tidbit about their relationship is that they remained celibate before tying the knot. And yes, you read that right – three times! Barbra joked with Gayle King on CBS Morning that she needed to "try him out for at least three years" before committing to marriage.
Fast-forward to today, and James and Barbra are still going strong. In an interview on Today earlier this year, Brolin revealed their secret to a happy marriage: "The best investment we ever made is our mattress." Yeah, we can see why!
But what's even more adorable is that they love working together – literally! They often do their work, whether it's reading or making phone calls, right next to each other. Aww, how sweet is that?
It's clear that James and Barbra are one of Hollywood's most enduring couples. And we can't help but be a little envious of their love story. Who needs a movie role when you have a partner like that?
