If you’ve been wondering where that smooth Southern drawl and devil-may-care charm of Josh Holloway disappeared to, surprise! Because that guy is back on your screen. You probably still remember him as Sawyer from Lost, that smirking heartbreaker who could steal a scene with just a raised eyebrow.
Now, he’s revving things up in Duster, the gritty, high-octane crime series on HBO Max from J.J. Abrams and LaToya Morgan. Set in the dusty 1970s Southwest, Holloway plays a getaway driver caught in a wild mess of crime, corruption, and car chases, and honestly, he’s never looked more at home behind the wheel.
But beyond the leather jackets and slow-mo stares, there’s a lot more to Josh Holloway than you might expect. These 10 unknown facts about the Duster star will have you saying, “Wait… he did what?”
1. His first job? Collecting dead chickens.
Before the movie sets, magazine covers, or even headshots, Josh Holloway was waking up to a job that most of us wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole: collecting dead chickens on a farm in Georgia. Not exactly the dreamy start you’d expect for a future TV icon, but that’s what makes it so great.
Holloway has said that the job was smelly, tough, and seriously unglamorous, but it taught him responsibility and work ethic in a way no acting class ever could. It’s the kind of humble beginning that makes his success feel even sweeter. The image of a young Josh trudging through a chicken coop is hard to shake and, honestly, kind of inspiring. He went from the literal bottom of the pecking order (yes, pun intended) to stealing scenes and starring in shows like Duster. Talk about a glow-up.
2. From Calvin Klein to cow print pajamas—his modeling days were wild.
Long before he became our favorite TV bad boy, Josh Holloway was striking poses for some of the biggest fashion names in the game. We’re talking Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, and Dolce & Gabbana. His modeling career took him around the world and even landed him in music videos for Aerosmith and Janet Jackson. But not every job was high-end glamour.
In one now-legendary campaign in Europe, Holloway modeled pajamas with full-on animal-themed hairstyles, including a cow print look that came complete with horns. Yes, horns. Imagine waking up, looking in the mirror, and realizing today’s job involves moo-patterned hair gel.
It’s hilarious in hindsight, but he’s owned it over the years with a good sense of humor. That ability to roll with the weird and still serve face? Iconic. And clearly, all those years in front of the camera helped him bring that cool, commanding energy to the screen, minus the cow hair.
3. He almost sold houses instead of stealing hearts on Lost.
Before Lost turned Josh Holloway into a household name, he was this close to leaving acting behind entirely. After years of chasing roles that just weren’t landing, Holloway hit a rough patch, the kind that makes you rethink everything. So, he did what many struggling artists do: considered a career pivot. Real estate, to be exact. He even started studying for his broker’s license, picturing a life selling houses instead of chasing Hollywood dreams.
But just as he was about to trade auditions for open houses, fate threw him a curveball in the form of a last-minute call to audition for a mysterious new TV series called Lost. That show and his role as Sawyer would completely change the course of his life. Imagine a world where Josh Holloway is helping you stage a condo instead of growling out nicknames in the jungle. We dodged a serious what-could-have-been moment there.
4. His love story started with a bar, a bold move, and zero games
Josh Holloway didn’t meet his future wife, Yessica Kumala, at some glitzy Hollywood event. No, this love story started at a bar in L.A., and it’s the kind of meet-cute that sounds straight out of a rom-com with a chaotic twist. While out with friends, Holloway was trying to chat up another woman when Kumala boldly stepped in. He revealed during an interview with Harry Connick Jr. that she coolly asked, “Give me your number before you leave,” and then walked away without giving hers.
Holloway didn’t forget her, and fate (plus a little persistence) brought them back together not long after. They tied the knot in 2004, and over the years, Kumala has been the calm, grounded force in his life while he has traveled for shoots and stolen scenes on screen. It’s refreshingly normal, sweet, and low-key, the kind of Hollywood relationship story we don’t hear enough about.
5. He said “no” to J.J. Abrams
Turning down a lead role from the same guy who helped launch your career? Bold move. But that’s exactly what Josh Holloway did in 2010. After wrapping six intense seasons of Lost, Holloway had just moved from Hawaii to California, looking to reset and spend more time with family. So when J.J. Abrams offered him the lead in Person of Interest, Holloway actually passed. Not because he didn’t trust Abrams, but because the timing just didn’t feel right. He needed a breather from the whirlwind that Lost had become.
While Person of Interest eventually went to Jim Caviezel and found success, Holloway never looked back. He trusted his gut and prioritized his life over career momentum, which honestly? Deserves respect. Sometimes, saying no is what keeps you grounded—and keeps your love for the craft alive.
6. He survived a terrifying home invasion and took action
In 2005, while filming Lost in Hawaii, Josh Holloway and his wife Yessica experienced something straight out of a nightmare. At 4 AM, an armed intruder broke into their Honolulu home, held them at gunpoint while they were in bed, and stole their credit cards and Mercedes-Benz. Thankfully, no one was hurt, and the car was later recovered, but the trauma stuck with him.
Holloway later told Playboy magazine that the experience left a permanent mark: “Having a gun held to our heads when we’re naked in our bedroom at four in the morning is never going to happen to my wife and me again.” And he meant it. Determined to protect his family, Holloway took serious steps afterward, including completing a federal protection course to ensure he knew how to defend his home. It wasn’t just about getting over the fear; it was about making sure it never happened again.
7. Stunt driving for Duster
When Josh Holloway signed on for Duster, he didn’t just show up and fake it behind the wheel; he trained to be a real-deal getaway driver. As soon as he heard his character would be driving for the mafia, Holloway didn’t hesitate. He told Entertainment Weekly, “He said I was going to be a driver for the mafia, so the next day I went online and found Rick Seaman’s stunt driving school.” Yes, the next day. That’s dedication.
He enrolled and learned how to whip vintage cars around corners, handle high-speed chases, and master Hollywood stunt maneuvers that defied logic. Of course, not every turn was smooth; he admitted to crashing a few classic cars during training (oops), but hey, it’s all part of the process. And it totally paid off. When you see those wild driving scenes in Duster, know that’s not just acting; he earned those tire marks.
8. Martial arts enthusiast – he’s got a black belt
Josh Holloway might play cool, collected bad boys on screen, but in real life, he’s got the training to back it up. The Lost and Duster star holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a martial art renowned for its intense physicality, discipline, and mental focus. Holloway has been practicing BJJ for years, not just to stay in shape, but because it helps him stay mentally sharp and focused.
Whether he’s on set or just navigating everyday life, that martial arts mindset gives him a sense of balance and calm. Plus, let’s be honest, it doesn’t hurt that it keeps him looking like he just stepped out of an action movie. It’s also one of the reasons he’s able to do so many of his own stunts. While most of us hit the gym and call it a day, Holloway’s out here mastering submission holds like it’s just another Tuesday.
Josh Holloway isn’t just a heartthrob with great hair and a Southern drawl; he’s lived a life full of unexpected twists, wild jobs, and serious grit. Whether he’s crashing vintage cars for Duster or dodging what could’ve been a real estate career, Holloway proves time and again that he’s anything but ordinary.
These behind-the-scenes facts just make his comeback all the more exciting. So next time you see him behind the wheel or throwing a smoldering look on screen, remember, there’s a whole lot of story under that leather jacket. And honestly? We’re here for every bit of it.
Watch Duster now on HBO Max.
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