PLEASURE WORLD

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On April 24, 1942, in Brooklyn, NY, a starlet was born. Not just any starlet either; one who would eventually rise to stardom as one of the world’s most respected performers of this century. Barbara Joan Streisand grew up in the New York area under the guidance of her mother Diana.

After losing her father, Emanuel, at the tender age of 15 months, she became very close to her mother during the earlier years of her childhood.

As a teenager, Barbra caught the show-business bug and tried her luck in a singing contest at a small Manhattan club. Upon winning, she found herself receiving additional offers to perform at a variety of other clubs in the NY area. Her dynamic performances at various hot spots such as the Bon Soir and Blue Angel attracted the attention of music industry reps from all over. It was at this point in time that Barbra had found her calling.

On pins and needles

After making a name for herself in the local New York club scene, she began receiving a number of offers from various agents. In 1962, she signed with Columbia Records and her debut album, Pins and Needles, became the nation’s top-selling record by a female vocalist.

Her early music career led to her appearance on stage in the musicals I Can Get It For You Wholesale and the 1964 comedy Funny Girl. Following these groundbreaking performances, Barbra’s name and face became synonymous with her distinguishing on-stage presence.

Shortly after receiving widespread recognition for her stage spectacles, Barbra was offered a 10-year contract with CBS television to produce and star in a variety of TV specials including My Name is Barbra and Color Me Barbra. Both specials were an astounding success for the network and achieved very high viewer ratings.

Throughout the ’70s, Barbra starred in a number of motion pictures including Hello, Dolly!, The Owl and the Pussycat, What’s Up Doc?, and the highly acclaimed The Way We Were, opposite Robert Redford. In 1976, she produced and starred in A Star is Born, which won six Golden Globes.

Let the tide come in

Her next big feat in the film industry came in 1983 when Barbra received five Academy Award nominations for her directorial debut, Yentl. She also won Golden Globes that year for Best Director and as producer of the Best Picture.

In 1991, Barbra made her triumphant return as director in The Prince of Tides, which was nominated for seven Academy Awards and earned her a nomination from the Directors Guild of America. In 1996, fans were delighted to see Barbra’s face light up the screen once again in her most recent film, The Mirror Has Two Faces, alongside Jeff Bridges.

In addition to releasing a flurry of chart-topping albums during the course of her 40-year career, Barbra has become well-recognized as a dedicated spokesperson and fundraiser for a variety of social causes. The Streisand Foundation has raised a great deal of money for various causes including human rights and the preservation of the environment, among others.

The majority of her concerts over the past 30 years have been devoted to supporting and raising money for important issues such as AIDS.

Timeless classic

Nowadays, Barbra has been keeping busy, alongside her actor/director husband James Brolin (her first marriage was to actor Elliott Gould), with ongoing charity events and special appearances. Her latest musical effort, Christmas Memories, recently hit store shelves just in time for the 2001 holiday season.

She has also announced that she’s giving up concert performances for good, in order to have more time to herself, but we’re not sure when that “final” performance will be, to the delight of her millions of fans.

Awards

In 2000, Barbra Streisand was awarded the National Medal of Arts.

Music awards

Streisand’s works have been nominated for over 56 Grammy Awards; she won 8 of these, including two special awards. She has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame three times. In 2011 she will be honored as MusiCares Person of the Year.

Film awards

Appearances

Broadway performances

West End performances

Television specials

Discography

Tours and live performances

Filmography

To buy a cigarette is the perfect type of a perfect pleasure. It is exquisite, and it leaves one unsatisfied. What more can one want?