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Barbra Streisand: Roles She Missed That Other Actresses Made Famous
By Shannon Jones | Friday, 18 Dec 2015 06:45 PM
Barbra Streisand has had a monumental career in film. Her role in 1968’s “Funny Girl” pushed her toward the limelight, where she has remained since.
However, Streisand has missed out on some roles in her career – roles that other actresses made famous.
Here are a few of the roles Streisand wasn’t cast in, but which earned other actresses acclaim.
1. Alice Hyatt, “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” (1974)
At the time of the filming, Streisand was deemed too young to get the lead. Ellen Burstyn was cast and won an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role and a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture Actress – Drama.
2. Sadie, “Big Business” (1989)
Although the part was initially written for Streisand to play opposite Goldie Hawn as two sets of identical twins, Bette Midler ended up in the role. Midler earned an American Comedy Award – Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture (Leading Role) for her part in the film. Hawn didn’t get the role, either, as Lily Tomlin was cast as Midler’s co-star in “Big Business.”
3. Sally Bowles, “Cabaret” (1972)
Streisand, answering New York Times reader questions in 2013, expressed regret for not taking the role of Sally Bowles in “Cabaret.” Liza Minnelli got the part and won an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role and a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Actress – Musical/Comedy. Streisand did says she was glad her friend had experienced success in the role.
4. Gloria Swenson, “Gloria” (1989)
Streisand expressed interest to play the title role in this film, but her interest fell upon deaf ears as the studio refused. Gena Rowlands was cast instead, and she was nominated for both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for her performance.
5. Florence ‘Rusty’ Dennis, “Mask” (1985)
Director Peter Bogdanovich considered Streisand for the role but decided to go with Cher after he saw her perform in “Silkwood.” Cher was nominated for a Golden Globe (Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture) for her part in “Mask.”
