Barbra Streisand made a rare public appearance at the 2026 Academy Awards to honor her late co-star Robert Redford, delivering a personal reminiscence and singing lines from “The Way We Were.” The moment stood out in an awards night that balanced celebration, remembrance and major wins.
What happened at the Oscars
On March 15, 2026, the Dolby Theatre’s in memoriam segment included a special tribute to Robert Redford, who died in September 2025 at 89. Streisand — whose public appearances are uncommon — joined the program to recall their work together and to perform a short, stirring passage of the film’s title song as images of Redford played behind her.
Streisand’s memories and voice
Wearing a black off-the-shoulder dress, Streisand told the audience how she first pictured Redford as Hubbell in The Way We Were and how he initially turned the role down. She praised his subtlety as an actor and described him as an “intellectual cowboy who blazed his own trail.”
Streisand shared private moments, including that Redford affectionately called her “Babs” — a nickname she relayed with humor — and quoted his final affectionate line to her: ‘Babs, I love you dearly, and I always will.’ She closed by singing several impactful lines from the film’s theme, a rare vocal moment that drew visible emotion from the crowd.
Tributes across the ceremony
The Redford remembrance followed a larger slate of tributes. Billy Crystal opened a moving homage to director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner, joined onstage by many of Reiner’s collaborators. Rachel McAdams also honored Diane Keaton, calling her a “legend with no end.”
Meanwhile, the telecast mixed celebration with competition: Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another took home Best Picture and Best Director, a K-pop performance led to a Best Original Song win for “Golden,” and Ludwig Göransson won Best Original Score for Sinners.
Reaction and mixed response
Social media responded with a mix of admiration and critique. Some viewers praised Streisand’s authenticity — “She was terrific. Authentic to herself, and sincere with her words about Redford,” one post read — while others felt the moment lingered too long during an in memoriam segment. Several fans said they were moved to tears; others called the tribute self-focused after the broadcast cut to commercial before viewers could see Streisand take in the immediate applause.
Why it matters
Streisand’s appearance reminded audiences of the long-running cultural impact of The Way We Were and of Redford’s legacy as both actor and filmmaker. The intimate anecdotes and the brief song performance renewed attention on a landmark 1973 film and underscored how awards nights now mix celebration of current cinema with personal remembrances of Hollywood icons.
What to expect next
There are no immediate follow-ups announced, but expect renewed interest in Redford’s filmography and Streisand’s rare live performances. Fans and film scholars will likely revisit The Way We Were and other collaborations as conversations about legacy and memory continue in the days after the ceremony.