Why Robert Redford refused to work with Barbara Streisand? History explored as The Way We Are star recalls last meeting with late co-star

According to a recent article by Entertainment Tonight, actress Barbara Streisand recalled the last time she crossed paths with her late co-star Robert Redford.

The two-time Oscar-winning actress reflected that their final meeting was over lunch, during which they talked about drawings and artworks, as she shared in an Instagram post on September 16.

Barbara Streisand and Robert Redford worked together in the 1973 film The Way We Were. Reports indicate that Redford initially declined to star in the movie as he was not satisfied with his character, but was later convinced by Streisand.

Even though Barbara Streisand mentioned that she and Redford were opposites, the two developed a strong friendship after working on the 1973 film The Way We Were.

"Every day on the set of The Way We Were was exciting, intense and pure joy. He was from the world of horses; I was allergic to them! Yet, we kept trying to find out more about each other, just like the characters in the movie." Streisand recalled

She further added that Redford was one of the finest actors she had worked with and recalled that he had a charismatic personality with a high IQ.

"He was one of a kind and I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with him." Streisand wrote.

Robert Redford died on the morning of September 16 at his home in Sundance, Utah. His publicist confirmed his demise.

"The place he loved, surrounded by those he loved. He will be missed greatly." Redford's representative confirmed in a statement to E! News.

Why Redford refused to work in The Way We Were initially and how Barbara Streisand convinced him

While Barbara Streisand and Robert Redford are remembered for their work in the film The Way We Were, news reports suggest that Redford had his own reservations about taking up the role of Hubbell Gardiner. Variety shared an excerpt from Streisand's memoir, published in 2023. As per the memoir, Redford believed that the script of the movie was focused on Katie (Streisand's character) and that the character of Hubbell was underdeveloped.

“Bob was concerned that the script was so focused on Katie that Hubbell’s character was underdeveloped. (He was right.) Bob asked Sydney, ‘Who is this guy? He’s just an object… He doesn’t want anything. What does this guy want?’ In Bob’s opinion, he was ‘shallow and one-dimensional. Not very real.’ ‘A pin-up girl in reverse,’ as Sydney put it.”

Barbara Streisand's efforts convinced him to accept the role, showing she had to work hard to get the superstar to agree.

“I had a particular actor in mind for Hubbell…Robert Redford…who happened to be good friends with Sydney [Pollack, director], so everything seemed to be falling into place,” Streisand wrote in the book My Name is Barbra. “I was drawn to him not because of his appearance…guys with blond hair and blue eyes were never my type.” Read the excerpt from Streisand's memoir.

Even after new writers were brought in and the character of Hubbell was rewritten, Redford refused to work in the movie. After continuous efforts, Redford finally agreed to participate.

After the success of 'What's Up, Doc?', the studios pushed for Ryan O'Neal to play the lead, but Streisand insisted that she would only star if Robert Redford played the lead alongside her. This caused a lot of back and forth during the casting process.

Also, as per Farout Magazine, director Sydney Pollack was skeptical about her decision to cast Barbara Streisand in the project.

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“She’s never been tested. Her reputation is as a very controlling person. She will direct herself. It’ll never work”. Redford said about Barbara Streisand.

According to IMDB, The Way We Were won two Oscars: Best Original Dramatic Score and Best Original Song. It ranked sixth on the American Film Institute's list of the 100 Passionate Films of All Time.

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