Barbra Streisand is well known for her many silver screen roles from “Funny Face” to “Meet the Fockers,” but her performing prowess extends beyond her ability to shine in feature films. She’s appeared on variety shows in the 60s, late night comedy shows in the 2000s, and plenty in between. Check out how Barbra Streisand’s star power went beyond the big screen in her many television roles.
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“The Ed Sullivan Show”
Several times throughout the 60s, Streisand performed on this popular variety show, singing favorites like “Cry me a river,” “When the sun comes out,” and a “Hello Dolly” medley.
“My Name is Barbra”
Steisand’s first one-hour special, aired on CBS in 1965 and featured several acts of monologues and songs. She won her first Emmy for Outstanding Individual Achievement by an Actor or Performer because of it. She did a second one-hour special in 1966 entitled “Color me Barbra” that was rebroadcast 19 years later and several other specials over the years, including a few on HBO.
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The 52nd Presidential Inauguration Gala
In 1993
Streisand closed out Bill Clinton’s star-studded televised inauguration with three songs, according to Barbra-Archives.com. Michael Jackson, Barry Manilow and Aretha Franklin also performed.
Talk Shows, “60 Minutes,” “The Late Show,” and “The Tonight Show”
Streisand appeared dozens of times on talk shows. Once in 1994 she even presented David Letterman with tickets to one of her shows and told him to stop kvetching about not being able to obtain them.
“We are the World”
In 2010 the video for this dual-purpose song announced the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics and served as a benefit for Haitian earthquake relief efforts.
Streisand had a solo during the song, according to BarbraStreisand.com, as did Josh Groban, Pink, Jennifer Hudson, and a slew of other singers and songwriters.
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“Back to Brooklyn”
Streisand’s musical performance was broadcast on PBS in 2013 as part of the station’s Arts Fall Festival. She sang hits like “What’ll I Do/My Funny Valentine,” “Evergreen,” and “Happy Days are Here Again.”
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