Early Life

Barbra Joan Streisand was born April 24th, 1942 in Brooklyn, New York. She was born to Diana and Emanuel Streisand. Sadly, soon after Streisand's first birthday, her father passed due to complications with a seizure. This made Streisand feel somewhat of an outcast growing up as well as put strain on her relationship with her mother. When Barbra started attending Public School 89, she became fasinated with the world of show business and decided then that she wanted to be an actress. Streisand had her first stage experience in the summer of 1957 in the Playhouse in Malden Bridge, New York. She didn't pursue many art classes in school, preferring to gain her experience out in the real world. Once Streisand graduated high school, much to her mothers dismay, she set out to pursue her career in show business.

Early Career

Barbra's first real job on her journey into show business was an usher for a the She took a job as an usher at the Lunt-Fontanne Theater for The Sound Of Music, early in 1960. During the run of the play, she heard that the casting director was auditioning for more singers, and it marked the first time she sang in pursuit of a job. Although she didn't get the part, the casting director encouraged Streisand to think about including singing on her résumé. This caused Streisand to seriously consider pursuring singing as well as acting. Her then boyfriend, Barry Dennen, helped her record some tapes of her singing. Upon hearing her sing, he just knew she had to do something with that voice. He encouraged her to try out for a talent show at The Lion, a nightclub in Manhattan's Greenwich Village, that she ended up winning. The Lion became her first nightclub gig but she then went on to perform at the Bon Soir Nightclub, which became her first real professional gig.

Barb's Big Break

After an unsuccessful go at a comical play and two successful performances in Detroit and St. Louis,Streisand's manager, Martin Erlichman, booked her at an upscale nightclub named the Blue Angel. While performing at the Blue Angel, theater director and playright Arthur Laurents asked Streisand to audition for his new musical comedy entitled I Can Get It For You Wholesale. She got the part as secretary to lead businessman, played by Elliot Gould. Streisand stole the show and became one of broadways youngest rising stars.Streisand received her first Tony nomination from this performance as well as a New York Drama Critic's prize for Best Supporting Actress.

Music

Barbra Streisand has recorded over 50 records throughout her years in the music business.Her singing career was at an all time high in the 1970's, releasing hits such as "Evergreen", "Enough is Enough" (sang with Donna Summer, and "You Don't Bring Me Flowers (sang with Neil Diamond) during this time. Barbra then returned to her broadway/showtune roots in 1985 by releasing a broadway ablum that ended up being suprisingly successful on the charts, even getting nominated for a grammy.In 1993, Barbra took to the concert stage for the first time in years. What began as a two-night New Year's event at the MGM Grand Las Vegas led to a multi-city tour in the summer of 1994.After the tour, Streisand returned her focus to her acting as well as directing.It wasn't until 1999 that Streisand returned to the concert stage. At the end of the millennium, she was the number one female singer in the U.S., with at least two No. 1 albums in each decade since she began performing. Barbra, between the 90's and early 2000's continued to put out quality music and albums, some doing better than others. However, she has had overall success in the music industry and still continues to put out music to this day.

Acting

Barbra Streisand's first role in a film was in the reprise of the classic broadway musical Funny Girl.She played the leading lady in the musical, Fanny Brice. She would go on to win the 1968 Academy Award for best actress for this role. Her next three films were also based around broadway muscials/plays. In the 1970's, Streisand went it the more comical direction with her acting and starred in such films as What's Up, Doc?, The Main Event, and For Pete's Sake. She also starred in The Way We Were, one of her most famous roles, as well as A Star Is Born.Barbra also directed a handful of films, usually also starring in them. One of her best known films she directed and starred in is Yentl, a film about an Ashkenazi Jewish girl who decides to dress like a man so she can get an education.The film was nominated and recieved 5 Acedemy Awards. Streisand then took a break from acting until 2004, making a return to film in the sequel to Meet The Parents, Meet the Fockers.She has really only done two films in the last 10 years, One being the sequel to Meet the Fockers , Little Fockers as well as in the film Guilt Trip, staring along side Seth Rogan.

Conclusion

Barbra Streisand's journey through the years is such an amazing one and one that really inspires. She was able to accomplish so much through the years and she is truly a talent and a force to be reckoned with.