Barbra Streisand has dated some handsome men over the years. Some of her dating choices are surprising, to say the least. Here's a run-down of who's had the pleasure of Barbra's company (before James Brolin got her exclusively!).
Barry Dennen
Barry wrote a book about the early days in New York with Barbra. Dennen wrote, "The night after Barbra moved in, we both sat tentatively on the side of the bed, I in pajamas and she in a soft flannel nightshirt. I told Barb I wanted to play something special for her, and as I went around the apartment lighting a few candles, she made a little nest of cushions and pillows on the bed."
Elliott Gould
Barbra and Elliott married in 1963. They had one son (Jason Gould) in 1966. They divorced in 1971.
Sydney Chaplin
It's rumored that Barbra and Sydney Chaplin (the son of silent film star Charlie Chaplin) had an affair during the Broadway run of Funny Girl. When the affair ended, working together every night became impossible and Chaplin, reportedly, got nasty. Barbra filed a charge against Chaplin with Actors' Equity (the actors' stage union). Johnny Desmond replaced Chaplin as Nick Arnstein in June 1965.
Ryan O'Neal
They started dating in early 1971, then filmed What's Up Doc? The romance had ended by the time the film wrapped. But, like a lot of her lovers, Barbra remained friendly with Ryan. They even reteamed (professionally) for The Main Event.
Warren Beatty
In the 1977 PLAYBOY interview, Barbra said this:
PLAYBOY: You were once romantically linked with Beatty, weren't you?
STREISAND: One of my flings.
Pierre Trudeau
Barbra dated Canada's prime minister in the early 1970's. He was fifty at the time. When he died in 2000, Barbra was quoted as saying, "He was very unusual, an athlete with a poetic soul. His love and dedication to his country were inspiring. He had extraordinary charm and grace and style. He will be greatly missed."
In 1977, PLAYBOY asked Barbra about the relationship:
PLAYBOY: What about your relationship with Canada's prime minister Pierre Trudeau before his marriage? He escorted you to the Arts Center in Ottawa once and jumped from the limousine to open the
door ... Did he ask you to marry him?
STREISAND: I don't want to answer that. But he's an extraordinary man. He's a wonderful leader and a very young-minded, spirited, hip figure who goes to parliament in sandals.
PLAYBOY: Did you ever reflect on what it would be like to be first lady of Canada?
STREISAND: Oh, yeah, I thought it would be fantastic. I'd have to learn how to speak French. I would do only movies made in Canada. I had it all figured out. I would campaign for him and become totally politically involved in all the causes, abortion and whatever.
PLAYBOY: What made you change your
mind?
STREISAND: Certain realities.
Jon Peters
Barbra met Jon in 1973 when she wanted a short wig for her new film For Pete's Sake. Jon owned a string of successful hair salons and had made quite a success for himself. They started seeing each other shortly after that. Jon was criticized for edging his way into Streisand's professional life. He produced Barbra's Butterfly album and some thought he was stretching himself too far too fast. His obvious presence in the album's candid pictures and the not-very-subtle producer's credit didn't help matters.
However, Jon proved himself as a Hollywood producer. He and Barbra fought to make A Star Is Born and Jon produced Eyes of Laura Mars himself. Of course, Jon became a great producer and went on to become a big name in Hollywood.
Jon and Barbra lived at her Malibu ranch. Jon contributed greatly to the homestead.
They split around the time of Yentl. Jon and Barbra have remained close, however. He attended her 1994 concert, and Barbra is very fond of his adopted daughter Caleigh -- in fact, she dedicated the Disney medley to her during The Concert.
Don Johnson
Don and Barbra started dating in 1988. Barbra's romance with People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" caused quite a commotion. Barbra told The Daily Mail in London, "He is very gentle, sensitive, and nurturing. He has wonderful manners and he can make me laugh."
Barbra filmed a cameo appearance for Don's television show Miami Vice. The episode was called "Badge of Dishonor" -- Barbra, dressed in black, walks past Johnson on a pier. Johnson does a quick double take (as if checking Barbra out!) and her cameo is over in an instant.
Johnson and Streisand recorded the duet Till I Loved You.
Andre Agassi
Barbra said about Andre: "He's very intelligent; very very sensitive, very evolved; more than his linear years. And he's an extraordinary human being. He plays like a Zen master. It's very in the moment."
Richard Baskin
Heir to the Baskin-Robbins ice cream fortune, Richard Baskin and Barbra started dating in 1983. At six foot three inches in height, and with an amazing head of curly hair, Baskin has always been my favorite Streisand paramour -- what a cute, but odd couple they made!
Richard was already in "the business" (he wrote some of the songs for Altman's Nashville), so mixing his career with Barbra's was natural. Their projects together included The Broadway Album, Emotion, and One Voice albums. Richard co-directed the "Emotion" video and produced "The Earth Day Special." Richard wrote the lyrics to Streisand's melody on "Here We Are At Last."
Ironically, years later, Baskin dated Barbra's friend Donna Karan after her husband died. They were seen sitting together at the AFI Tribute to Barbra.
Peter Jennings
They dated briefly in the 90's.
Barbra and James Brolin
Married in 1998, Barbra has said of James, "I think for the first time in my life I'm not afraid to love. You see, what Jim does with me, too, in my life is he fills a void that has, that I never thought could be filled. Not having a father, it was this kind of deep hole that could never be filled. And he --not only is he my lover and my friend and my best friend but, he is -- he fills the role of my dad at times, you know?"
