Barbra Streisand’s husband James Brolin is an actor who has attained greatness in the entertainment industry, making him worthy of his talented wife.
For over two decades, Barbra Streisand and her husband have enjoyed marital bliss, with their love radiating through their numerous affectionate exchanges. But the two were not always on the same page in the love department.
Contrariwise, Streisand considered him “not the ideal fit” for her following their first meeting. Appearing on “The Tonight Show” with Jimmy Fallon, the actress recounted how she made a mean comment about his hair on their first blind date.
According to her, she expected a guy with brown beards and brown wavy hair like a mountain man. When he fell short of her expectation, she could not stop herself from ruffling his hair and asking who messed it up.
The not-so-dreamy first encounter did not deter James Brolin from falling for her at first sight. Thankfully, Streisand came to reciprocate his feelings days later and the rest is history.
A story of how James Brolin landed himself one of the most successful women in showbiz? Awesome. But what else do we know about Barbra Streisand’s equally famous husband?
Who Is Barbra Streisand’s Husband?
Barbra Streisand’s husband James Brolin is a famous American actor, director, and producer, with numerous film and television credits.
Although famous for his works in the industry, he is known to many as the “Guilty” crooner’s husband and the father of actor James Brolin.
Some of his career-defining projects include appearances in films like “The Hunting Party,’ “Traffic” and “Lost City Raiders.” Additionally, he landed major roles in “Marcus Welby, M.D” and “Von Ryan’s Express,” snagging significant awards in recognition of his talents.
James Brolin’s Early Life
Barbra Streisand’s husband landed the planet on July 18, 1940, to parents Henry Hurst Bruderlin and Helen Sue. At birth, he was named Craig Kenneth Bruderlin but adopted the screen name James Brolin along the way to better fit his career path.
Growing up, Brolin fancied animals and airplanes and hoped to make a career out of it. But that changed when he discovered acting in his teenage years, with James Dean as his inspiration.
After graduating high school, where he befriended future actor Ryan O’Neal, Brolin’s parents encouraged him to pursue his dreams. Hence, he enrolled at the University of California to study drama.
Barbra Streisand’s Husband Built His Acting Career
While in college, James Brolin took on minor roles in TV shows like “Bus Stop, and Batman,” among others. Eventually, he became a full-time actor, snagging his first significant role on “Von Ryan’s Express,” 1965.
He went on to appear in movies like “The Capetown Affair,” “Skyjacked,” “Trapped,” “The Car,” and “High Risk.” His 1969 movie, “Marcus Welby, M.D,” where he played Dr. Steven Kelly became one of the top-rated TV shows at the time, earning him an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe.
Some of his more recent works include “Sisters,” 2025, “Lost City Raiders,” 2008, “Being Rose,” 2019, and “Life In Pieces.”
Brolin has also made great strides as a movie producer and director, bagging numerous accomplishments.
James Brolin’s Personal Life
Before becoming Barbra Streisand’s husband, James Brolin married and divorced two different women. His first marriage was to a woman named Jane Cameron Agee in 1966. Their union yielded two children before coming to an end in 1984.
Agee passed away nine years later in a car accident. In 1986, Brolin married his second wife Jan Smithers, and welcomed a daughter with her. Their marriage also ended in divorce in 1995.
Years later, James Brolin met and fell in love with Barbra Streisand, eventually marrying her in 1998. Although the couple never welcomed children together, they happily groomed their blended family comprising Brolin’s three children and Streisand’s only child Jason Gould.
On how they have sustained their marriage for so long, the couple once revealed they remained open to each other, giving room for no secret. Being an open book has remained the big secret to their long-lived union.
So far, they have continued to live in marital bliss, braving many storms, including the coronavirus pandemic, which served to further strengthen their love life.