A television, film, character actor, producer, and director, well known for his roles in soap operas, movies, sitcoms, and television. Born Craig Kenneth Bruderlin. The family settled in Westwood after his birth. As a young child, he was more interested in animals and airplanes than in acting. When young Bruderlin was 10 in 1950, he began building model airplanes and was taught to fly them. As a teenaged moviegoer in the mid-1950s he was particularly fascinated with actor James Dean. He enrolled in Los Angeles University High School. He graduated from University in 1958. He started out as a character actor on an episode of Bus Stop in 1961. The part led to parts in other television productions such as Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Margie, Love, American Style, Twelve O'Clock High and The Long, Hot Summer. He made 3 guest appearances on the popular 1960s series Batman, along side Adam West and Burt Ward, as well as roles in The Virginian, and Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law alongside Arthur Hill and Lee Majors. He also had a recurring role on the short-lived television series The Monroes. At the age of 20 he changed his last name from "Bruderlin" to "Brolin" to become James Brolin. He accepted a contract with 20th Century Fox. He had small roles in several movies including Take Her, She's Mine (1963), Dear Brigitte (1965), Fantastic Voyage (1966). The following year, his first big role was in The Cape Town Affair (1967), but it did not receive any success at the box office. Brolin was ultimately fired by 20th Century Fox. During the 1970s, the 6 ft 4 inch Brolin began appearing in leading roles in films, including Skyjacked (1972), and Westworld (1973). By the mid-1970s, he was a regular leading man in films, starring in Gable and Lombard (1976), The Car (1977), Capricorn One (1978), The Amityville Horror (1979) and High Risk (1981). When Roger Moore expressed his desire to leave the role of James Bond, Brolin screen tested for the role in the next film Octopussy (1983). Ultimately, however, Moore decided to continue in the series. Brolin has starred in three television series in a career which has spanned four decades. He became widely-known for his roles as Robert Young's, youthful skilled and professional physician, Dr. Steven Kiley on Marcus Welby, M.D. (1969–1976), Peter McDermott on Hotel (1983–1988), and Lt. Col. Bill "Raven" Kelly on Pensacola: Wings of Gold (1997–2000). He also had a recurring role as Governor and presidential candidate Robert Ritchie in The West Wing.

A television and film actress, who is best known for playing Bailey Quarters on the television series WKRP in Cincinnati.