Barbra Streisand was born on April 24, 1942, and is an American singer, actress, and filmmaker. She is one of the best-selling record artists of all time, with record sales exceeding 150 million worldwide. She has excelled in multiple fields of entertainment, with a career spanning over six decades. She starred in movies like “Funny Girl” (1968), “Hello, Dolly!” (1969), “What’s Up, Doc?” (1972) to name a few. She also directed the movies “The Prince of Tides” in 1991 and “The Mirror Has Two Faces” in 1996. She is the recipient of ten Grammy Awards, five Emmy Awards, and nine Golden Globes. Join us in celebrating her special day today.
Fast Facts
Birth date:
April 24, 1942
Age:
81 years, 12 months
Zodiac Sign:
Taurus
Background
Barbra Joan Streisand was born on April 24, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York City, she was born in a Jewish family to Diana Ida and Emanuel. She joined a summer theater group in Malden Bridge, New York, and began concentrating on acting while still in high school. She moved to Manhattan, after graduation. And her first break came in 1960 when she sang at a small local nightclub and won an amateur talent contest. Eventually, she landed a small comic role as Miss Marmelstein in the Broadway musical “I Can Get It for You Wholesale” in 1962 and stole the show. An overnight sensation, she made several television appearances. In 1963, she released a series of best-selling record albums featuring vibrant and original interpretations of popular songs. Her debut solo album “The Barbra Streisand Album,” won Grammy Awards for album of the year and best female vocal performance — the first two of many. The actress starred in several film musicals during the 1960s and 70s, including “Funny Lady” in 1975, “Hello, Dolly!” in 1969, “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever” in 1970, and “A Star Is Born” in 1976. She played the romantic lead in the hugely popular “The Way We Were” in 1973. And made her directorial debut in 1983 with “Yentl,” followed by “Nuts” in 1987, “The Prince of Tides” in 1991, and “The Mirror Has Two Faces” in 1996. She then appeared in broad comedies like “Meet the Fockers” in 2004, the sequel “Little Fockers” in 2010, and “The Guilt Trip” in 2012. Despite the clear variety, most of Streisand’s characters shared the qualities of strength and fierce independence combined with vulnerability. She has succeeded despite the widespread early opinion that her unconventional looks would keep her from becoming a major movie star. Streisand has been married twice. She married actor Elliott Gould on September 13, 1963. They divorced on July 6, 1971. They had one child, Jason. On July 1, 1998, she married actor James Brolin. They have no children yet but Brolin has two sons from his first marriage and a daughter from his second marriage. In her 50 years of profession, she has added to the entertainment industry in a personal and unique way and has gathered a multi-generational fan base.
Career timeline
Streisand sings at a small local nightclub and wins an amateur talent contest.
Streisand signs with Columbia Records and releases her debut "The Barbra Streisand Album.”
Streisand makes her film debut in an Academy Award-winning reprise of her role as Fanny Brice in "Funny Girl.
The actress makes her directorial debut with the movie "Yentl.”
The singer receives a Lifetime Achievement Glamor Award for her unparalleled contribution to the entertainment industry.
Barbra Streisand FAQs
Why is Streisand rich?
She is one of the highest-earning female musicians in the world.
Who is Streisand's husband?
She’s currently married to actor James Brolin since 1998.
Does Streisand have a sister?
She has a half-sister Roslyn Kind who is an actress, singer, and songwriter.
5 Surprising Facts
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She’s a record breaker
Streisand won the Best Original Song category for 'Evergreen' from the movie "A Star Is Born" (1976), making her the first woman to receive an Oscar for composing music.
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She changed from Barbara to Barbra
When Streisand was 18, she was advised to change her last name and instead chose to change her first by dropping an 'a.’.
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How the Streisand effect was coined
The term was coined by Mike Masnick and refers to an attempt to hide or remove information that unintentionally publicizes that information.
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She’s cloned her favorite dog
Streisand had one of her dogs named Samantha cloned because she loved her a lot.
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She had a tough teenagehood
Streisand was taunted by classmates for her nose which they called Big Beak and she described herself as "a real ugly kid" who was slightly cross-eyed, painfully thin, and suffering from severe acne.
Why We Love Barbra Streisand
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She supports LGBT rights
Streisand is a strong supporter of LGBT rights. She backed the attempt to defeat California Proposition 8 and even though the campaign was unsuccessful she still holds on to her belief.
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She is a professional member of various respectable associations
Streisand is the only artist who is simultaneously a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts, Authors and Publishers, American Society of Composers, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, Screen Actors Guild, and Sciences and Actors' Equity Association. She is also the honorary chairwoman of the board of directors of Hadassah's International Research Institute on Women.
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She believes in various social causes
Streisand donated the Emanuel Streisand Building for Jewish Studies to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1984. She’s personally given millions of dollars through The Streisand Foundation to support various worthy causes.
Barbra Streisand’s birthday dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | April 24 | Monday |
| 2024 | April 24 | Wednesday |
| 2025 | April 24 | Thursday |
| 2026 | April 24 | Friday |
| 2027 | April 24 | Saturday |
