Continuing on in my “Where They STARted” series, I chose to take a look at the early life of well-known actress and songstress, Barbra Streisand. Streisand is one of Hollywood’s finest, known for her powerful voice and films like Sydney Pollack’s The Way We Were (1973), Gene Kelly’s Hello, Dolly! (1969), and Frank Pierson’s A Star Is Born (1976). Streisand is just one of many stars who grew up in New York City. While we typically assume such starlets had the most privileged of upbringings, Streisand had a rather uneasy one in Brooklyn; the place she once called home.
Streisand’s childhood began in a small apartment located in Flatbush, Brooklyn at 3102 Newkirk Avenue. Streisand spent some of her most solemn years here, as her father passed away before she was two, leaving the family financially unstable at times.
Later on, Streisand would graduate from Erasmus Hall High School alongside well-known singer, Neil Diamond. Despite the fact she did not attend college, it’s been said Streisand was an honor student, having placed fourth in her class upon graduation!
911 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11226
As a sophomore at Erasmus, Streisand took up a night job at the Cherry Lane Theatre in Greenwich Village.
38 Commerce St, New York, NY 10014
Following high school graduation, Streisand moved out of her family’s home. She worked a handful of low-paying jobs, all whilst trying to “make it.” Establishing herself as a cabaret singer, Streisand’s life was on and upwards from then on out.