A unique voice and incredible persistence can often make for the perfect combination for a successful career. This is the case with legendary singer and performer Barbra Streisand. Over the course of her career, Streisand has dazzled audiences with her phenomenal vocals and acting prowess. In fact, she is one of very few individuals to achieve an EGOT, meaning she has won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. Beyond her abilities as an entertainer, Streisand has dedicated her life to philanthropic pursuits and is even an officiant for the Universal Life Church. Read on to learn more about her journey.
Persevering Through Difficult Years
Streisand was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York City, to a Jewish-American family. When she was young, her father died suddenly and her mother worked endless hours to keep the family out of poverty. Streisand has stated she felt like an outcast during these early years and would sit on her stoop and sing to relax, which led people in her neighborhood to comment on the power of her voice. This in turn increased her confidence in her abilities.
After moving out of her mother’s home at 16, Streisand tried to make it in the entertainment industry. She was unsuccessful at first and spent a good amount of this time carrying around a collapsible cot and sleeping in the homes of various friends and associates. Streisand began auditioning at local nightclubs and got her first break at the Lion, a gay club in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village. She continued to prove to be a hit at clubs throughout New York City, St. Louis, and Detroit.
Becoming a Star of Stage and Screen
Barbra Streisand landed her first Broadway role in the musical comedy “I Can Get It for You Wholesale” in 1962. She was considered a breakout performer and appeared as a guest on “The Tonight Show,” where she was lauded by host Jack Parr and famous comedian Groucho Marx. Her appearances as a singer on television helped land her a record deal with Columbia Records. “The Barbra Streisand Album,” the first album she recorded, was an instant hit and won three Grammy Awards.
In 1964, Streisand had another hit performance on Broadway as the character Fanny Brice in “Funny Girl.” She would reprise the role in the movie adaptation of the show in 1968, which launched her film career. Streisand’s other noteworthy performances on the screen included “Hello, Dolly!,” “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever,” “The Way We Were,” “A Star is Born,” “Yentl,” and “The Prince of Tides.”
Achieving a Variety of Honors
In addition to attaining EGOT status, Streisand has been awarded a variety of significant honors. She is the recipient of the National Medal of Arts, the AFI Life Achievement Award, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Streisand has also been featured on dozens of lists of the all-time top singers and actresses by noteworthy publications like People and The Daily Telegraph. Billboard has also ranked her as the all-time top female Jewish musician.
Using Her Stardom To Give Back
Streisand has consistently supported a number of groups in America, including Jewish Americans and the LGBT community. She was named a gay icon by Out Magazine and Gay Times for her consistent commitment to advocating for LGBT rights. She has donated millions to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center's Women's Heart Center for cardiovascular research. After the murder of George Floyd in 2020, Streisand gifted his daughter a number of shares in Disney. Streisand is also a registered minister for the Universal Life Church, though there are no public details available on any of the weddings she has officiated.