Josh Brolin Shows 'Dad Bod' at 56 as He Goes Shirtless on Beach Trip
Josh Brolin recently caught attention at the beach, not for his superhero physique, but for his "dad bod" and laid-back style. The actor's appearance sparked various online reactions.
Josh Brolin, known in Hollywood for his tough-guy persona, caught everyone's eye during a recent beach day in Santa Barbara, California. This time, it wasn't his intense on-screen roles that drew attention, but his relaxed, shirtless vibe.
A netizen's comment on Josh Brolin's recent beach outing in Santa Barbara, California, posted in July 2024 | Source: Instagram/justjared
Clad in red and black shorts with a laid-back black bracelet, Josh looked completely at ease, enjoying the sunshine and catching everyone's attention.
Josh Brolin, wearing black and red shorts, at a Santa Barbara beach in California, posted in July 2024 | Source: Instagram/justjared
Josh's relaxed look quickly became a hot topic online, with reactions ranging from admiration to critique. Some noted the change in his physique, with one noting, "That's not a 'muscled torso,' that's a dad bod."
One netizen responded with a playful comment, "Thanos goes to the beach," referencing the 56-year-old actor's iconic role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Some netizens praised Josh's confidence in displaying his physique. One admirer gushed, "Man's still got itttttt," accompanied by fire emojis. while another stated, "Spare us." Someone else noted, "Very Handsome, Gentleman."
Despite the mixed reactions from netizens, the "Avengers" actor has been transparent about his extensive fitness philosophy.
In a 2017 Instagram post, Josh shared insights into his fitness routine, humorously noting his dislike for leg day despite acknowledging its benefits. His workouts focus on preventing injuries, using proper form, and including varied exercises to challenge his muscles.
"They don't go too heavy (very injury conscious), they are really strong on form (very injury conscious) and they are all about shocking the muscle by mixing up workouts (best results)," Josh explained.
Aside from his workouts, he emphasized the importance of clean eating and occasional indulgences. He noted, "The point is to feel good and I think most of us have a problem feeling good for too long. Have a cheat day that you set..."
Josh's diet consists of 5-6 meals a day, focusing on protein and fats in the morning and carbs at night. He includes fish, quinoa, mushrooms, and black rice in his meals. He mentioned that intermittent fasting didn’t work for him, as he needed regular meals to maintain his physique.
Complementing his diet, Josh's workouts last about two hours and include lifting, cardio, and abs or stretching. He said he uses lighter weights to prevent injury and gradually increases the intensity.
In addition to his weight training, he incorporates leg exercises, 30 minutes of cardio, and 15 minutes of abs, with each session beginning with a thorough warm-up. He maintains this routine six days a week, allowing himself one rest day to recover.
In 2018, Josh's dramatic fitness transformation was a result of intense training under Justin Lovato. Justin revealed that Josh achieved his impressive physique for "Deadpool 2" through a rigorous and dedicated workout regimen.
Josh Brolin's trainer Justin Lovato, posted in June 2018 | Source: YouTube/menshealthmag
Justin also highlighted the intensity of the training, saying, "When we got that phone call saying that he booked this role and it was going to be one of the biggest roles for one of the biggest movies, we had to dive right in." The LA-based trainer said Josh "took it seriously" and trained three hours a day.
Justin designed the training program for Josh based on his experience as a former pro bodybuilder. The routine included two daily sessions: mornings for mobility work and circuits, while afternoons focused on traditional bodybuilding exercises.
Lovato stressed the need for variety in the workouts to keep Josh's body challenged. "These workouts changed every single day...so we're consistently confusing the body, changing it up, making it not adaptable, but making him work and learn each day," he said.
In a February 2024 GQ interview, Josh humorously discussed his rugged looks and his connection with fans, especially those who appreciate his roles in popular franchises like "Dune."
Josh joked about his appearance, saying, "I have this face that looks like it was run over by a truck, or that I fought a mastodon or whatever." He emphasized that interacting with fans has become an enjoyable aspect of his acting career.
Josh Brolin takes a selfie with fans on the red carpet for "Dune: Part Two" at Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City on February 6, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
“And the truth of the matter is, I just want to geek out with other geeks. I didn't even know that for a long time, but I know that now, as a 55-year-old guy, nothing makes me happier than just being in the sandbox with these socially inept geniuses," he noted.
Josh Brolin greets fans at the "Dune: Part Two" premiere at VOX Cinemas in Abu Dhabi on February 18, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
While Josh's physical transformation garners attention, his actress and producer wife, Kathryn Boyd, has also experienced significant changes, particularly after milestones like their marriage and the birth of their two children.
Kathryn and Josh officially married in September 2016 in Cashiers, North Carolina. They celebrated their special union with friends and family, including Barbra Streisand and James Brolin.
Josh Brolin's post featuring Kathryn Boyd, posted in March 2023 | Source: Instagram/joshbrolin
In a November 2017 interview, Josh gushed about married life with Kathryn. Still in the honeymoon phase at the time, he could not pinpoint exactly what he loved the most about being her husband.
"Oh, everything. When it’s good, it’s good. When it’s not good, it’s not good," said Josh," while alluding that he enjoys being around the mother of his kids.
Announcing their expectancy of a baby girl in May 2018, Josh and Kathryn embarked on a new chapter. The father-to-be revealed he and his spouse would be starting their family on Instagram.
Kathryn Boyd shows off her baby bump during a sunny outdoor trip with Josh Brolin, posted in May 2018 | Source: Instagram/joshbrolin
"There's a new sheriff in town, and she’s no bigger than a sweet potato. Hang on to your hats," the movie star captioned his post. He shared photos of him and Kathryn in the outdoors, with her growing belly visible.
Josh got candid about starting a family with Kathryn in a June 2018 interview. "I've been a parent for so long, since as long as I can remember basically. I got out of high school, two years later we had a kid. So I don't really know life without having kids," he said of his children from his first marriage.
In light of this, the proud father further added that he was "massively looking forward to" meeting his daughter. As a result, the arrival of his new child marked a significant milestone in his life.
Josh, a father to Trevor and Eden whom he shares with his first wife, Alice Adair, embraced the expansion of his family with the birth of Westlyn Reign Brolin in 2018. This new addition brought a fresh wave of joy and fulfillment to his life.
The proud parent posted a video of the newborn smiling on Instagram and wrote, "We are blessed to the core." Josh and Kathryn's journey into parenthood once again was warmly received by fans, marking a joyous period in their lives.
Two years later, in July 2020, Josh announced online that he and Kathryn were expecting another child together. He shared a picture of the couple's eldest child hugging her mother's tummy.
By December 2022, Josh took time to reflect on his fatherhood journey. He posted a nostalgic photo of himself with his first child, Trevor, and celebrated all his kids, including his youngest, daughter Chapel. Having become a dad at 19, Josh now proudly looked back on his role as a father of four over more than three decades.
Months after gushing over all of his kids, Josh expressed appreciation for the females in his life: his wife Kathryn, and eldest daughter Eden, including Westlyn and Chapel.
In addition to relishing parenthood, the couple attends public events together. Josh and Kathryn attended the movie premiere of "Dune: Part Two," in February 2024. In this film, Josh stars alongside Timothée Chalamet, Florence Pugh, and Anya Taylor-Joy.
Anya Taylor-Joy, Souheila Yacoub, Zendaya, Timothée Chalamet, Denis Villeneuve, Austin Butler, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Florence Pugh, and Léa Seydoux at the "Dune: Part Two" premiere at Lincoln Center in New York City on February 25, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
The pair posed for pictures with their arms wrapped around each other. Josh donned an all-black suit while Kathryn opted for a beige two-piece attire featuring a crop top and a long skirt, showing off her physique.
Josh Brolin and Kathryn Boyd attend the "Dune: Part Two" premiere at Lincoln Center in New York City on February 25, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Despite the event’s glamorous atmosphere, Kathryn's noticeable weight loss sparked concerns. Some eagle-eyed netizens speculated about her health.
"Has K lost more weight? I can see her bones," asked one person. One other commented, "Was she sick recently? Seems like she lost a lot of weight." "She just changed. I'm worrying about her weight loss," said another.
Despite these concerns, their story of love and commitment remains strong. As Josh and Kathryn navigate public scrutiny, their enduring bond continues to connect with fans, serving as a powerful example of resilience and dedication.
This dedication to their marriage is mirrored in Josh Brolin's approach to health. Although he was spotted with a more relaxed "dad bod" at the beach, it’s clear that his priority is finding balance and relaxation amid his busy career.