Barbra Streisand’s estranged troubled stepson Jess Brolin, 52, is seen living at a seedy California motel a decade after he was snapped rummaging through garbage

Barbra Streisand's estranged troubled stepson Jess Brolin, 52, is seen living at a seedy California motel a decade after he was snapped rummaging through garbage

As I delve deeper into this fascinating tale of Jess Brolin’s life, I find myself awestruck by the stark contrast between his present and past circumstances. The opulence he once knew as a child, living on a ranch in Paso Robles and then a mansion in Santa Barbara, couldn’t be more different from his current modest lifestyle.


Barbra Streisand and her spouse, James Brolin, reside, as expected, in a luxurious Malibu estate, enclosed by approximately 3,000 rose bushes, which an interior design magazine labeled as an “ideal paradise” the previous year.

However, for the troubled young son Jess, home is a small motel situated on the periphery of the artistic and celebrity-preferred town of Ojai in California.

A 52-year-old man, who is the sibling of renowned actor Josh (age 56), known for his roles in Men in Black and Avengers films, was recently photographed by DailyMail.com outside the Topa Vista Hotel, a three-star establishment located on a bustling roadway next to a coffee shop and a hair salon.

Last week, the heavier brother Brolin was photographed once more, this time in downtown Ojai, as he waited for a bus casually on the street. He tips the scales at approximately 350 pounds.

Barbra Streisand's estranged troubled stepson Jess Brolin, 52, is seen living at a seedy California motel a decade after he was snapped rummaging through garbage

Barbra Streisand's estranged troubled stepson Jess Brolin, 52, is seen living at a seedy California motel a decade after he was snapped rummaging through garbage
Barbra Streisand's estranged troubled stepson Jess Brolin, 52, is seen living at a seedy California motel a decade after he was snapped rummaging through garbage
Barbra Streisand's estranged troubled stepson Jess Brolin, 52, is seen living at a seedy California motel a decade after he was snapped rummaging through garbage

Jess, noticeably heavyset, donned a black T-shirt emblazoned with the Batman symbol, loose denim shorts, and worn-out brown sneakers, with a bandage wrapped around his left ankle.

The website advertises his short-term residence as a place with eight air-conditioned rooms, each equipped with a flat-screen TV, and this property happens to be in the possession of Steve Edelson, a well-known figure in the LA nightclub scene, aged 64.

The images of the property display cozy, unassuming spaces that are adorned with warm wooden paneling and plush leather seating, giving off a comfortable vibe.

Currently, calls made to Topa Vista are being diverted directly to voice mail with the following message: ‘Should your call be regarding Topa Vista, please note that we are currently unable to accommodate any new guests.’

According to a source, DailyMail.com reports that the present visitors, such as Jess, have been staying for several months and plan to remain for a similar duration.

As modest as Jess’s new home is, it represents a marked upswing in his fortunes. 

Barbra Streisand's estranged troubled stepson Jess Brolin, 52, is seen living at a seedy California motel a decade after he was snapped rummaging through garbage
Barbra Streisand's estranged troubled stepson Jess Brolin, 52, is seen living at a seedy California motel a decade after he was snapped rummaging through garbage
Barbra Streisand's estranged troubled stepson Jess Brolin, 52, is seen living at a seedy California motel a decade after he was snapped rummaging through garbage
Barbra Streisand's estranged troubled stepson Jess Brolin, 52, is seen living at a seedy California motel a decade after he was snapped rummaging through garbage
Barbra Streisand's estranged troubled stepson Jess Brolin, 52, is seen living at a seedy California motel a decade after he was snapped rummaging through garbage
Barbra Streisand's estranged troubled stepson Jess Brolin, 52, is seen living at a seedy California motel a decade after he was snapped rummaging through garbage

2011 found him residing in a worn-out 1981 Toyota pickup within the town, as the trust fund left by his mother was exhausted.

In 1995, Jane Agee, the eldest among his father’s three spouses, met an unfortunate end in a car crash. This event took place 10 years following her divorce from the well-established actor.

Three years on, following the breakdown of the truck, Jess started sleeping rough on the streets and was also snapped rummaging through a trash bin for sustenance.

Initially, a spokesperson for Barbra, who is acting as a stepparent, stated that the family had extended their assistance but were met with refusals. They further clarified this in a statement by saying, “We’ve proposed aid and encouragement, and we’re still extending it.

‘We love him very much and want only the best for him.’

Neither James Brolin nor Barbra Streisand provided a comment right away when DailyMail.com asked for one.

Despite numerous offers for assistance, Jess remains in temporary housing after a decade, having never considered rekindling his acting career that consisted only of two films and one extended stint as a production runner for the TV series “Black Scorpion,” a high-budget superhero production based in Los Angeles, which occurred in 2001.

Barbra Streisand's estranged troubled stepson Jess Brolin, 52, is seen living at a seedy California motel a decade after he was snapped rummaging through garbage
Barbra Streisand's estranged troubled stepson Jess Brolin, 52, is seen living at a seedy California motel a decade after he was snapped rummaging through garbage
Barbra Streisand's estranged troubled stepson Jess Brolin, 52, is seen living at a seedy California motel a decade after he was snapped rummaging through garbage
Barbra Streisand's estranged troubled stepson Jess Brolin, 52, is seen living at a seedy California motel a decade after he was snapped rummaging through garbage

Instead of staying in a luxurious hotel like his famous family or the opulent homes he lived in as a child, Jess chooses more humble lodging at a modest motel.

Dad James and stepmom Barbara reside in a grand Malibu mansion, whereas brother Josh dwells in a luxurious six-bedroom farmhouse worth $7.1 million in Montecito – a place that’s also known for being the home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, as well as Oprah Winfrey and Katy Perry.

Oh my goodness, not only do I adore the Montecito estate with its breathtaking equestrian arena, but I’m absolutely smitten by Josh’s stunning five-bedroom abode in Atlanta, Georgia! This beauty is worth a cool $3.2 million and guess what? It’s currently available for monthly rentals at an astounding rate of $35,000! Talk about living the high life!

Growing up, Josh and Jess enjoyed a life of affluence, living first on a sprawling ranch in Paso Robles, followed by a grand estate in Santa Barbara.

Barbra Streisand's estranged troubled stepson Jess Brolin, 52, is seen living at a seedy California motel a decade after he was snapped rummaging through garbage
Barbra Streisand's estranged troubled stepson Jess Brolin, 52, is seen living at a seedy California motel a decade after he was snapped rummaging through garbage
Barbra Streisand's estranged troubled stepson Jess Brolin, 52, is seen living at a seedy California motel a decade after he was snapped rummaging through garbage

However, even with his opulent living conditions, Josh has referred to himself in the past as a ‘forgotten wealthy child.’ His rebellious teenage years were marked by car thefts and drug addiction, a fact he revealed in an interview back in 2014.

He went on: ‘It was Santa Barbara. It was the 80s. It was punk rock. You either had the children of rich, neglectful parents or children of poor, so it was a mix.

‘But we basically grew up the same way. I’ve never seen a group like that before or since.’ 

He added: ‘I mean, I never got into it [drug use] and I never died from it, which is a good thing.

Over the course of my life, approximately thirty-seven individuals from my childhood circle have passed away, most of whom were among my nineteen friends.

This year, during an interview with GQ, he reaffirmed his stance, saying to the magazine: “Thirteen are currently imprisoned. Four are both incarcerated and deceased. I meticulously track every one of the 37 deceased individuals. Coming from a challenging background, you understand?

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2024-09-11 21:06

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