Barbra Streisand Remembers Robert Redford Fondly

Quick Smiles:

• Barbra Streisand pays heartfelt tribute to Robert Redford.
• Their legendary partnership in “The Way We Were” led to lasting memories.
• Redford was praised for his charisma and depth onscreen.

Barbra Streisand honored her “The Way We Were” co-star Robert Redford with touching memories after his passing at age 89. She shared how every moment on set with Redford was “exciting, intense and pure joy,” expressing deep gratitude for their collaboration.

“We were such opposites: he was from the world of horses; I was allergic to them! Yet, we kept trying to find out more about each other, just like the characters in the movie,” Streisand reflected.

She described Redford as “charismatic, intelligent, intense, always interesting — and one of the finest actors ever.” Streisand recounted their last meeting, reminiscing, “The last time I saw him, when he came to lunch, we discussed art and decided to send each other our first drawings… He was one of a kind and I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with him.”

Her memoir “My Name is Barbra” reveals how she persuaded Redford to join “The Way We Were” as Hubbell, a role he initially declined for being “shallow and one-dimensional.” Thanks to determined negotiations and fresh script contributions, Redford brought new depth and nuance to the character.

Streisand wrote, “That’s when I knew he’d finally said yes… and I was so thrilled! The courtship had been tough, but Bob’s reluctance had a big influence on the script and ultimately resulted in a richer, more interesting character.” Their film became a box office hit and earned six Academy Award nominations, with Streisand’s performance of the theme song winning best song.

The two stars reunited at special events over the years, including when Streisand gave Redford a lifetime achievement honor at the Oscars and celebrated him again in 2015. She praised his mystery and power on screen, saying, “You never quite know what he’s really thinking, and that makes him fascinating to watch on screen… that’s the secret. That’s the mystery. That’s what makes you want to keep looking at him.”

Redford fondly recalled their time together, stating, “I remember the fun we had… I remember liking her energy and her spirit; it was wonderful to play off of. I also really enjoyed kidding her. She was fun to kid.” Their mutual respect and admiration created a lasting legacy both on and off screen.

Barbra Streisand’s tribute is a celebration of a remarkable partnership and the joy of working with an unforgettable star. If you found this story heartwarming, share it with someone who loves classic Hollywood moments.

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