James Brolin Reflects on His Blind Date with Barbra Streisand

After 27 years of marriage, James Brolin still recalls the details of the blind date that changed his life with Barbra Streisand. “It was something special that night,” Brolin, 84, shared, reminiscing about how it all began. Someone had asked if he was interested in dating her, to which he responded, “I like what she says between songs.” It was a memorable moment for him.

Brolin describes himself as having been single for three years prior to meeting Streisand, thinking, “Who needs it?” Yet, he decided to give it a shot. “We met there. I had spent seven years sporting beards and curly hair, so I didn’t appear as I had imagined I would,” he reflected. When Streisand saw him, she seemed surprised, thinking he wasn’t the guy she expected. He had cut his hair just before the date, and she jokingly asked, “Who will put your hair up?”

That was the moment he fell in love. “This girl has told the truth since day one. I’m kind of obsessed with her,” Brolin admitted. Since their marriage in 1998, he has appreciated Streisand’s generosity throughout their relationship.

He explained how some issues can create tension in relationships. “Things like, ‘Where were you? It only took 20 minutes, but you took two hours,’ can be destructive,” he noted. For him, loyalty is vital, and he feels grateful for it. “With her, I love everything she does. I admire her choices,” he added.

In her memoir, Streisand reflects on their successful marriage, saying, “The true reason our relationship has lasted is that we’re both happy to work.” She emphasized their differences, humorously mentioning his tendency to focus on what’s wrong. “He’ll outlive me,” she joked, noting his claim that he aims to live to 110 years old.

Both have had previous marriages; Streisand was married to Elliott Gould from 1963 to 1971, while Brolin was married to Jane Cameron Agee and then Jan Smithers until 1995.