08/27/201808/27/2018 Julia Norman 0 comments
Only a truly talented person can make viewers forget about his less-than-ideal appearance and enjoy his magnificent performance. Barbra Streisand appeared on screens in the 60s, playing vivid roles of women in love. Her heroines suffered, forgave men, sought compromise in relationships and forced those around them to think about various circumstances that happen in life.
For the first time, Hollywood gave the main female role in a film to an outwardly unremarkable actress. She had a fire inside her, and she conveyed emotions convincingly, as only old-school actors can. It looked irresistible and unusual. For her undoubted talent, the public and critics called Barbara an ugly beauty. She proved that unrefined girls are also capable of love and eventually meet their man.
Childhood and adolescence
Barbara Joan Streisand was born on April 24, 1942 in New York. Her parents were Jews who immigrated from Austria. The family did not live well in Brooklyn, but the girl’s mother faced real need when her husband died a year after the birth of her daughter. Ida Rosen worked as a school administrator, and her modest salary was barely enough to buy food. She had to provide not only for Barbara and her brother, but also for her parents.
Under pressure from circumstances, the girl's mother remarried a family friend, Lius Kind. He did not love his stepdaughter, and she responded in kind, trying to spend more time outside the home. Soon the Kind couple had a daughter, Roslyn, together.
As a child, Barbara was often sick and rarely went to school, but she studied well due to her outstanding abilities and love of reading books.
As a teenager, she wore glasses and baggy clothes, so the students at Erasmas Hall School only noticed her when she sang in the choir or participated in theater productions. Her voice was strong and captivating.
In 1959, Streisand graduated from high school and decided to perform as a singer. Her family ridiculed her, believing that it was impossible to achieve success with her external data, but Barbara was confident in her abilities. A month after graduation, she already participated in a music competition, organized by the owner of a famous nightclub in New York. After the victory, the girl began performing on his stage.
Barbra Streisand is from Ukraine
The family of one of the world famous Hollywood actresses, Barbra Streisand, has roots in the pretty Galician town of Berezhany, rich in history and prominent personalities.
The grandfather of the future actress was born on April 20, 1879. As Christophe Mirambeau writes in the book “Barbara Streisand. Biography,” the Streisand family did not escape the poverty that existed in small Galician towns. Barbara's grandfather lived in a cramped space, consisting of two rooms, with a large family: grandparents, father, mother, sister and brother. At that difficult time, only one room was heated, which was considered the living room. They slept and worked there. The table and wooden benches are all family furniture. In the middle of the “living room” a large brick stove was smoking. Today it is difficult to say exactly where, on Berezhanskaya Street, Streisand’s premises were located. No information about this has been preserved. They say that a lot of people with the surname Streisand once lived in Berezhany. When Isaac Streisand turned nineteen, he decided to look for a better life in distant worlds. In January 1898 he left Berezhany. First I got to the German city of Bremen. And from there, on a ship with hundreds of other emigrants, he went to distant America. The journey lasted fifteen days. Isaac managed to survive. Because for many seekers of a better life, grueling trips to the USA became the first and last in their lives. The young man saw how every morning dead bodies were thrown overboard the ship. The waters of the Atlantic Ocean became an unmarked grave for them. He was traveling to visit a cousin who had previously emigrated to the States and settled in New York. It was in this city that Isaac began his new life. A few years later in Manhattan, Isaac Streisand married Anna (Annie) Keston. She was also from Jewish emigrants. Some sources claim that Anna was born in Galicia. Others suggest that she comes from Volyn. Isaac and Anne Streisand had to work hard to survive. He was a tailor. His wife is a cook. The Streisands raised five children. One day, disaster befell the family. Anna fell down the stairs and was seriously injured. She was bedridden. The treatment was expensive. Therefore, the Streisands changed their “registration” - they moved from expensive Manhattan to cheaper Brooklyn. Isaac also changed his job: he rented a small space to open a fish store. Emmanuel Mendel Streisand - Barbara's father - is the eldest son of Isaac and Anna. He worked as a teacher in a high school. Mother - Diana - was a singer. Emmanuel Streisand died at the age of 35 from epilepsy. Anna was left with little Barbara, a slightly older son and poverty. Isaac Moshe Streisand, Barbara's grandfather, outlived his eldest son by 22 years and died in February 1965. According to the Israel Diaspora Museum, in Tel Aviv there is an entry dated June 20, 2013: “As part of the visit... Barbra Streisand received a presentation of her family roots in Galicia... Streisand is recorded as a Jewish surname in the city of Bzerzany..."Barbra herself can be compared to the fairy-tale Cinderella. A girl from a poor family became an international actress, winning high titles and the affection of millions of viewers. It’s true what they say: in the family tree of the most famous people on the planet, you should look for roots in Ukraine.
The beginning of a creative career
Streisand dreamed of becoming an actress, although she achieved great heights as a singer. The nightclub where she sang was often visited by famous performers. Hearing Barbara's voice, they thought about collaborating with her. So, in 1960, singer Barry Dennen invited the girl to perform in a Manhattan gay bar.
Refined art connoisseurs gathered there, and it became easier for the future star to make the necessary contacts. Soon she began participating in low-budget theater productions, and 2 years later she appeared on the Broadway stage in the musical “I'll Get It for You Wholesale.”
Another important step towards a future career was a meeting with pianist and showman Vladzi Liberace. In the 60s he was at the peak of his popularity and was looking for new talent to keep the public's interest. Streisand's voice made a strong impression on him, and he signed a contract with her to perform together in Las Vegas.
Step by step, the persistent performer moved towards her goal. She had already proven to her family that she deserved success and applause, but she was surrounded by real stars. The ambitious girl wanted to achieve the same recognition.
Interesting facts from the life of Barbra Streisand
Today is the birthday of one of the brightest and most unique women in the world, who can safely be called a living legend. Her voice is recognizable from the first notes, and you want to watch films with her participation again and again. We are talking about Barbra Streisand, who turns 73 today. During her career, she reached all sorts of heights, with a total circulation of more than 145 million copies of her records sold around the world. PEOPLETALK decided to recall interesting facts from the life of this bright woman.
Full name: Barbra Joan Streisand.
Born in Brooklyn (New York, USA).
She grew up in a religious Jewish family.
Barbra's father was an emigrant from Austria; he was a grammar teacher, and the mother of the future celebrity, Ida Rosen, worked as a secretary at school.
When Barbara was one year old, she lost her own father and was further raised by her stepfather, who treated her cruelly and often beat her.
Bad relationships developed not only with her stepfather, but also with peers who offended Barbra because of her appearance.
Even as a child, the future celebrity dreamed of starting a career in show business, but no one believed in the girl. Even her own mother considered her ugly and unattractive.
Despite the grievances and insults, Barbra was already a strong child with a wayward character from childhood. She once declared that she would become famous throughout the world and would even sing for the President of the United States himself!
Deprived of all support, Streisand still did not give up her dream. After winning one of the music competitions, she was offered to sing in a nightclub.
In 1960, Barbara began performing in a gay bar in Manhattan's Greenwich Village.
In addition to her musical career, Barbra also tried herself in theatrical productions: in 1962, she made her first appearance on Broadway, playing in the musical I'll Get It for You Wholesale. This is where her rapid ascent to her dream began.
1962 was a very successful year for Streisand. She signed a contract with Columbia Records and attracted the attention of the famous pianist Vladzi Liberace, who offered her a collaboration. Streisand agreed and began performing with him at concerts in Las Vegas.
1963 - debut album The Barbra Streisand Album and stunning success! Barbra's first creation brought two Grammy awards, and her next three albums were on the Billboard 200 list.
During her musical career, Streisand recorded 60 solo albums, each of which reached the top of the charts.
Streisand set the record of becoming the only female artist to top the Billboard 200 with her albums six times: in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and 2010s.
In 2008, the authoritative publication Forbes placed Streisand in second place on the list of the richest singers of 2007. For this year, her income was $60 million.
From 1969 to 1980, all films in which Streisand played were in the top ten highest-grossing films in the United States.
For many years, Barbra Streisand has been an active supporter of the US Democratic Party and advocates for the rights of women and sexual minorities.
Streisand was married twice. The singer's first husband was actor Elliott Gould (76), with whom Barbra lived for eight years and with whom she gave birth to a son, Jason Gould. In 1998, Streisand married another actor, James Brolin (74), with whom she is still married to this day.
Streisand's best friend is fashion designer Donna Karan (66).
And by the way, Barbra’s childhood dream did come true: she sang to the President of the United States. On Bill Clinton's 49th birthday, Streisand called his apartment and demanded Clinton on the phone, saying that she wanted to congratulate him on the holiday. It was impossible to resist such a gift, and the diva sang to him in her magical voice: “Happy birthday to you!”
Music career
The young singer's first album, released in 1963, won first place in American music chats and received two Emmy awards.
Streisand worked with professional musicians and composers. She instinctively felt which song the audience would like, and she was always right. The composition “Woman in love” brought her worldwide fame. Other lyrical compositions were included in her next albums, artlessly titled “Second Album,” “Third Album,” and “My Name is Barbara.” All of them were released under the Columbia Records label.
The singer was often invited to appear on television in various shows, and in 1969 she began hosting her own program “My name is Barbra” on CBS. To date, Steisand has recorded over 60 solo albums. She never changes her chosen musical style, so she remains a recognizable performer.
Fans have been going to her concerts for decades and enjoying old songs that were once heard in movies. Barbra Streisand invariably includes them in her repertoire, arranging tours of major cities in America and Europe. The last such performances took place in 2006 and 2007, causing a real boom among music lovers.
The best films starring Streisand
Streisand came to cinema in the late 60s, having already gained popularity as the singer Barbra. She tried to shorten her name, like her mentor Liberace, but viewers remembered the sonorous surname Streisand, and the actress kept her full name in the credits of the films.
In 1968, the movie Funny Girl became a real event. Streisand's sparkling performance captivated the audience from the first frames. After this film, it became fashionable to be ugly, like the main character. It was Barbara who laid the foundation for a new trend in cinema, when actors with an interesting, specific appearance were also allowed on the screens.
"Funny Girl"
Success in cinema added to Barbara's fame as a singer. Many of her famous songs were featured in films and won recognition forever. The plot of “Funny Girl” is based on the biography of American comedian Fanny Brice.
A very funny film tells not only about the beginning of the actress’s career, but also about her difficult relationship with her husband. The irresistible Omar Sherif starred in his role. Like her first musical album, Steisand's debut film received numerous awards, including an Oscar for Best Actress.
"Hello, Dolly!"
The film “Hello, Dolly!”, filmed in 1969, belongs to the genre of family melodramas and musicals. The story of a resourceful matchmaker who decided to win over the bachelor who approached her solidified Streisand’s role as a comedienne.
In this film she sings and dances a lot. Certain numbers from the film were subsequently often shown on television.
"Meeting of two hearts"
Barbara adheres to a romantic style both in songs and in film roles. Director Sydney Pollack brought together two stars in the film: Streisand and Redford. A Jewish girl from a poor family and a handsome rich man meet in college and feel mutual interest.
Their destinies will intersect several times in the future, and the political activist will be able to win over a prominent guy, albeit for a short time.
"Yentl"
The film “Yentl” is based on the Broadway production of the same name. It tells the story of a Jewish orphan girl who, after the death of her father, entered a religious institution to study the Torah. She had to dress up as a man, since women are prohibited from mastering the sacred Jewish books. Streisand managed to convey the aspirations of the orphan and explain their fallacy.
"Meet the Fockers"
The funny 2004 comedy starring Ben Stiller gained additional color due to Streisand's performance. The actress, along with Dustin Hoffman, portrayed the parents of the unlucky groom. Many amazing events happened in their house that cause deafening laughter.
De Niro, playing the role of the father of the bride, with his ideas and suspicions turns the acquaintance of two families into complete absurdity.
The second film in this series failed at the box office. Even the brilliant acting ensemble could not save him.
Other films
A place of honor in the actress’s filmography was occupied by the film “A Star is Born,” in which Kris Kristofferson became her partner. The biographical drama about an aspiring singer who falls in love with a famous musician simultaneously evokes both joy and tears. The greater heights a singer conquers, the lower her mentor sinks. The story is reminiscent of Streisand's own life.
Several times Barbara acted as a producer and director of her films. “Yentl,” “The Lord of the Tides” and “The Mirror Has Two Faces” were successful experiences for Streisand as a producer. She performed the title compositions in them, which brought her many awards.
Streisand in pop culture
Streisand is criticized a couple of times in the animated series South Park. Most notably in the episode "Mecha-Streisand", where Barbra is portrayed as a giant robotic dinosaur who wants to take over the Earth, but is subsequently defeated by Robert Smith. The episode states that Streisand discovered half of the "Zintar Diamond" with which she could take over the world while filming My Fair Lady. This has already caused ridicule and criticism from Barbra, since it was not she who starred in this film, but Audrey Hepburn. Streisand appears again as a dinosaur in episodes "200" and "201", where she is awakened by Tom Cruise in order to force the residents of South Park to hand over Mohamed to them. In the episode "Scaryfish", Streisand's face is depicted in every corner of the screen throughout the entire run. In episode 509, "Osama Bin Laden Has Smelly Pants," Eric Cartman uses puzzles to convey English curse words, one of the puzzles was a photo of Streisand. Also in the full-length film, her name turns out to be the worst curse word uttered by Cartman. Barbra is mentioned twice in the TV series Friends. In the episode "The One Where Chandler Can't Remember Which Sister", Monica names a sandwich after her, and the soup, based on her film, is named "Yentl". In "The One After 'I Do'", Phoebe reveals that she is pregnant with James Brolin's child, to which Chandler wonders, "Isn't James Brolin Barbra Streisand's husband?" In the movie Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, a kidnapped teenager (played by Christina Ricci) says she came to Las Vegas to give Streisand portraits of her. Barbra is mentioned in the Family Guy episodes "Wasted Talent" and "Stewie Kills Lois", where she prints money out of her nose. In October 2010, the American group "Duck Sauce" (DJs A-Trak and Armand Van Helden) recorded the track "Barbra Streisand", which was named after the singer (and was a kind of cover version of the Boney M. song - "Gotta Go Home"). The composition was first performed in the UK on October 10, 2010, and soon took one of the first positions in the dance charts of many European countries. A music video was shot for the track, illustrating scenes of New York club life, interspersed with brief appearances by a Barbra Streisand lookalike. Many popular American rappers and R'n'b performers took part in the video recording, including Kanye West, Pharrell Williams and Chromeo. In the TV series Glee, almost all the main characters performed Streisand songs at least once.
In the episode "Born this way", the entire choir danced to the song "Barbra Streisand" by the group "Duck Sauce". In the novel “Perfection Itself” by the American writer Judith McNaught, special attention is paid to Barbra’s personality and creativity - according to the plot, she is a good friend of the main character of the Hollywood star Zechariah Benedict. Her songs are successfully woven into the story of the characters’ romantic relationships.
Awards and nominations
Barbra Streisand is one of America's highest-grossing creative figures. Her concerts were always sold out, and her films were nominated for various film awards. Like any artist, she had her failures. Twice she received the Golden Raspberry Award for her roles in the films Up All Night and Meet the Fockers 2.
Among the honorary awards:
- 2 Oscars;
- 4 Golden Globes;
- 2 Emmys;
- 11 Grammys;
- 1 "Tony";
- 2 "David di Donatello".
In 2000, the singer was awarded the National Medal of Arts, and in 2007 she became a Knight of the Legion of Honor.
Streisand in culture
On August 23, 2011, the singer's 33rd album, What Matters Most, was released, containing compositions by the famous couple of songwriters Alan and Marilyn Bergman. According to the script in this film, Streisand was supposed to star in one of the scenes with her breasts naked.
However, a year later, High Society magazine obtained the original negatives of the film with a “half-naked” Barbra. After the publication of the photo, Streisand tried to take various measures to prevent the magazines from going on sale, but still this edition of the magazine appeared on American stands.
In this category, she became the first female composer to receive this award. Streisand produced several of her own films based on Broadway productions. In the 1983 film Yentl, she acted as an actress, producer, director and screenwriter. She repeated this experience in the film “Lord of the Tides” (1991). In 2004, after an eight-year break, Barbra returned to the big screen, starring in the Ben Stiller comedy Meet the Fockers.
Personal life
Barbara is an extremely emotional and passionate person. She treats her loved ones with care, but if they do the wrong thing, her anger is terrible. From her youth, she proved that she was capable of earning a living on her own, and escaped the tutelage of her mother and stepfather. In turn, her only son complained that his mother controlled his every move, which is why he had to leave Los Angeles and move to New York.
The actress entered into her first marriage in 1963 with actor Elliot Gould. The couple had a son, Jason. Because of her pregnancy, Barbara refused a lucrative million-dollar contract, but after the divorce in 1971, she sent her five-year-old son to a boarding school.
He grew up gay, which shocked the star. For a long time she blamed herself for the lack of attention to the child, which, in her opinion, became the main reason for his orientation.
In the 70s and 80s, Barbara had affairs with actor Omar Sherif, entrepreneur Richard Baskin, singer Elvis Presley, hairdresser Jon Peters, tennis player Andre Agassi and Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. The latter proposed to her, but she did not accept him.
There was talk about her relationships with Dodi al-Fayed and Bill Clinton. It is known that she invested large sums in the company of the American President and helped with her extensive connections.
In 1998, the actress married actor James Brolin. Their marriage cannot be called cloudless, since Brolin is a famous womanizer. News about his adventures flashes in the chronicle every now and then, but their marriage with Streisand lasts more than 20 years. The couple appears together at social events.
James Brolin and Barbra Streisand
Barbra Streisand is a world famous actress, director, politician and singer. It was noteworthy that before they met, the two celebrities knew nothing at all about each other: Barbara had never seen films with Brolin, and he had never listened to her songs.
The couple met in 1996. Both were already aged, both already had previous negative experiences of family life, and both had explosive temperamental characters.
Love works wonders. The couple formalized their relationship in 1998. Their friends often note that this is a happy marriage, where Barbara turned from an extravagant, unpredictable woman into an ideal wife, and James turned from a handsome womanizer into an exemplary husband.
Barbra Streisand now - latest news
In 2020, Barbara released a record with soundtracks to her films. It's called Encore: Movie Partners Sing Broadway. The collection of songs contains compositions recorded together with Alec Baldwin and Hugh Jackman.
The singer, who is 76 years old, spends a lot of time on an estate near Los Angeles with her husband. They are published infrequently, but Streisand continues to be invited to significant events: she presented a statuette at the Oscars and participated in the Oprah Winfrey and Larry King shows.
