Meet Hollywood actor who once couldn’t afford rent or his children’s school fees, later became an overnight s
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has given the world some of the most unforgettable superheroes, Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk and Black Widow. But along with these heroes, the franchise also created one of the most powerful and unforgettable villains in cinema history: Thanos. While audiences remember the Mad Titan for his deadly snap and terrifying strength, very few know the real-life struggle of the actor who brought him to life, Josh Brolin.
Before becoming the face of one of cinema’s greatest villains, Brolin went through a phase that was far from glamorous. The actor, who first appeared as Thanos in the post-credit scene of The Avengers (2012), revealed that there was a time when his life was financially unstable, despite working in Hollywood.
When Hollywood didn’t pay the bills
In a candid conversation on Guy Raz’s podcast, Josh Brolin opened up about a difficult phase when acting alone was not enough to support his family. He admitted that even after landing roles, he struggled to pay rent and basic expenses. Managing agents, lawyers, and daily costs made things worse.
Brolin revealed that at one point, he was earning barely enough to survive. “You think being an actor means you’re rich, but that’s not always true,” he shared. “There were times when I simply didn’t have the money.”
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From movie sets to trading screens
Things took an unexpected turn when Brolin met an entrepreneur named Brett Markinson during a flight. Their casual conversation introduced him to the world of day trading. Curious and eager to explore something new, Brolin decided to give it a shot.
He invested time in learning the basics, set up a professional trading system at home, and slowly began understanding the market. What started as an experiment soon turned into a serious source of income. Brolin admitted that during this phase, he actually earned more money trading than he did acting in films.
“I was disciplined. I treated it seriously. It wasn’t luck, it was focus,” he shared, adding that the experience taught him patience and financial responsibility.
A powerful comeback to the big screen
Eventually, Josh Brolin returned to acting with renewed confidence. His portrayal of Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame became legendary, making him one of the most memorable villains in cinematic history. The role not only revived his career but also placed him among Hollywood’s top actors.
Since then, Brolin has appeared in major projects like Dune, Dune: Part Two, and several upcoming films, including Weapons, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, and The Running Man. He is also set to return in Dune: Part Three, expected to release in 2026.
From struggling to pay bills to ruling the box office, Josh Brolin’s journey proves that success often comes after the hardest battles, both on screen and in real life.
