When it comes to films about love stories, “The Way We Were” is always on the list. The film inspired a new generation of fans after it was mentioned on “Sex and the City.” Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) compared her relationship with Big (Chris Noth) to Katie (Barbra Streisand) and Hubbell (Robert Redford). She even quoted the famous line, “Your girl is lovely, Hubbell,” as she walked away.
But Streisand and Redford’s connection went beyond their portrayal of doomed couple Katie and Hubbell. With the news of Redford’s death on September 16 at the age of 89, Streisand reflected on their friendship in a touching Instagram post.
Don Kelsen/Los Angeles Times via Getty ImagesBarbra Streisand Shares Touching Memories of Robert Redford
Hours after Robert Redford’s passing was announced, Streisand posted a photo of the two as Katie and Hubbell on Instagram. In a beautiful tribute, she expressed her admiration and love for her friend and former co-star.
“Every day on the set of The Way We Were was exciting, intense and pure joy,” she wrote.
“We were such opposites: he was from the world of horses; I was allergic to them! Yet, we kept trying to find out more about each other, just like the characters in the movie.”
“Bob was charismatic, intelligent, intense, always interesting— and one of the finest actors ever.”
“The last time I saw him, when he came to lunch, we discussed art and decided to send each other our first drawings.”
“He was one of a kind and I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with him,” she finished.
Robert Redford Initially Turned Down the Role of Hubbell
In her 2023 memoir, “My Name Is Barbra,” Streisand talked in depth about Redford. She admitted that he was the first person she had in mind for the role of Hubbell.
“I had a particular actor in mind for Hubbell…Robert Redford…who happened to be good friends with Sydney [Pollack], so everything seemed to be falling into place,” she wrote. But Redford turned down the role.
“Bob asked Sydney, ‘Who is this guy?” Streisand wrote. “He’s just an object… He doesn’t want anything. What does this guy want? In Bob’s opinion, he was ‘shallow and one-dimensional. Not very real.’” Writers were hired to strengthen the character, and Pollack finally convinced him to take the role.
Moviepix/Getty Images“I think it’s one of Bob’s best performances…and probably one of mine as well…and I’m thrilled whenever I see us listed as one of the screen’s most romantic couples,” she wrote. “We made something that will last a long time…much longer than most real marriages.”
