Barbra Streisand has always believed that no one but Robert Redford could have played Hubbell in their 1973 romantic classic The Way We Were. In her 2023 memoir, My Name is Barbra, she recalled the challenges she and director Sydney Pollack faced in convincing the actor to take the role. Redford, who passed away on September 16 at the age of 89, remains one of Hollywood’s most enduring stars.
Streisand admitted she was drawn to Robert Redford not just for his looks but for his depth and complexity as a performer. Behind his famous blue eyes, she saw a mystery that made audiences lean in. She called him a “rare combination” of an intellectual cowboy and a charismatic star, someone who brought restraint and fascination to every scene.
Robert Redford’s Reluctance To Join The Film
Robert Redford initially resisted the part of Hubbell. He worried the script was too focused on Streisand’s Katie and dismissed his own character as shallow. Determined to make it work, Streisand and Pollack pushed for script changes that would strengthen Hubbell and make the romance feel balanced.
According to USA Today, even with the rewrites, Redford still declined until persistence finally paid off. While Streisand was filming Up the Sandbox in Africa, she received word that Redford had agreed. His hesitation, she later reflected, improved the story and made Hubbell far richer than originally written.
A Lasting Connection Between Streisand And Redford
On set, Streisand and Robert Redford built a natural chemistry. She remembered him as thoughtful, playful, and curious about her Brooklyn upbringing. In return, she found him fascinating, with his California background and quiet independence. Though they kept their distance early in filming, their genuine curiosity for each other translated into the lasting magic seen on screen.
Streisand was disappointed that Redford was overlooked for an Oscar nomination for The Way We Were. Still, she cherished their partnership and later conversations. Years afterward, the two spoke warmly about the film, art, and politics. In one memorable exchange, Redford ended their call with the words, “I love you dearly, and I always will.”