Josh Brolin shares how mom Jane tamed and confused an aggressive gorilla: 'Severe woman'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Josh Brolin shared a remarkable story about his late mother, Jane Cameron Agee, and her fearless nature while handling wild animals.

The actor, 56, spoke on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' on December 17, revealing how Agee once tamed an aggressive gorilla with nothing but her commanding voice and unwavering confidence.

Jane Cameron Agee's encounter with the gorilla

Jane Cameron Agee, a wildlife activist for California's Department of Fish and Game, was no stranger to working with exotic animals.

Despite her petite frame, standing at just 5'2" and weighing 105 pounds, Agee’s formidable presence was evident in every encounter.

Josh recounted a childhood memory when his mother’s animal-wrangling skills were on full display.

“We get out of the truck, and she has this kind of deep Texas voice and she goes, ‘Where is he?’” Josh recalled.

Agee demanded that the cage of an aggressive gorilla be opened, even after being warned of the animal’s violent tendencies.

“The gorilla pumps his chest and does all of that kind of masculine showmanship,” Josh explained.

“And my mom goes, ‘Stop it.’ The gorilla literally in the midst of doing this goes, ‘Huh?’” he shared

Following her stern command, the gorilla’s demeanor shifted entirely.

“She goes, ‘You get in there right now,’” Josh added, describing how the once-aggressive animal obediently entered the truck, confused but compliant.

Josh Brolin calls mom Jane Cameron Agee 'force of nature'

Josh Brolin described his mother, Jane Cameron Agee as “a severe woman” and “a force of nature,” traits he explores in his memoir, 'From Under the Truck'.

Agee’s larger-than-life personality extended to all aspects of her life, from caring for wild animals to speeding down roads at 100 miles per hour.

“She was a severe woman. Everything she did was big,” the Marvel actor shared.

Agee managed a “wildlife way station” on the family’s 230-acre ranch in Paso Robles, California, where she cared for rescued and illegally owned wild animals like wolves and cougars, according to People.

In addition to her work with animals, she also had a career as a Hollywood casting director, where she met Josh's father, actor James Brolin.

Josh Brolin's tribute to mom Jane Cameron Agee

Jane Cameron Agee died in a car accident at the age of 55 on February 13, 1995, but her influence on Josh Brolin’s life remains profound.

In 'From Under the Truck', the actor shares memories of his unconventional upbringing on the ranch and his journey to stardom.

“It’s funny because somebody said to me, ‘[Your book] is the greatest love letter to a mother I’ve ever read,’ which I thought was the greatest compliment I got ‘cause the stories are severe,” said Josh.

He also keeps her memory alive through cherished mementos, including her ceramics collection, which he has preserved over the years.