Jerry Brown — Profile, Rankings & Fame Trend

Summary

Updated 2026-06-21

He served as California's governor four separate times across 40 years — first at 36, then again in his seventies — bookending a political life that included three presidential runs, a radio show, and a stint as Oakland's mayor.

Biography

About

Born in San Francisco in 1938, Edmund Gerald Brown Jr. grew up as the son of Pat Brown, California's 32nd governor. After Berkeley and Yale Law School, he entered politics through the Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees in 1969, then won election as California's secretary of state in 1970. At 36, he became governor in 1974 — the youngest in 111 years — and won a second term in 1978 while mounting unsuccessful presidential bids in 1976 and 1980. He skipped a third term to run for U.S. Senate in 1982, losing to Pete Wilson, then spent years abroad, chaired the California Dem…

Voice

In their own words

Sourced, dated quotes from Jerry Brown

Jerry Brown

said1999

I'd shrink government in a minute, if I could shrink GM, Bank of America, and all these immoral corporations that operate by an undemocratic code, with no soul and no conscience.

— From an unspecified KPFA-FM radio show program.

Jerry Brown

said1999

The U.S. incarceration binge is not tied to crime. It's a strategy to control the surplus population in a capitalist system that is breaking down.

— cite news

Jerry Brown

said10 Jun 1995

There's nothing wrong with being an anarchist.

— Speaking to the International Transpersonal Association Conference in Santa Clara, California, 10 June 1995.

Jerry Brown

said10 Jun 1995

We are in a degenerate state of self-government. In fact, even to use the words self-government, is not only an exaggeration, it's a lie. It's a big lie!

— Speaking to the International Transpersonal Association Conference in Santa Clara, California, 10 June 1995.

Jerry Brown

said8 Jan 1979