Barbra Streisand Accepts the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2001

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Barbra Streisand accepts the 29th AFI Life Achievement Award (2001).
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[@stevenfay3810]

The humility…the elegance…a treasure to humanity.

[@NellWhatcott]

I went to see A Star Is Born when i was 14. It was the first time i was ever mesmerized by anyone. Now im 61 and she is still mesmerising to me. Saw her twice in concert. I should be in the Guinness book of records for the longest goosebumps. Busy reading her autobiography, got it for Christmas and knew i was getting it. I was like a 5 year old again waiting for Christmas morning. She deserved that award more than anyone.

[@TheCharliemike11]

Love the way Jim can't take his eyes off her... it's wonderful to know she has real love in her life, she deserves it ❤

[@peterdavino4408]

This is what a star looks & sounds like. This is - as they say - the real thing! Barbra is a trailblazer, for women, for artists, for thinkers and truth seekers. She is not here on earth to play games. She is dead serious about the importance of exploring the possibilities of being alive.

[@ikbelleib8136]

I usually get nervous when I watch celebrities talk because some of them loose it , but never when I watch Barbra streisand she knows exactly what to say and makes it very interesting.

[@copa1952]

That is why she deserves to make the big bucks!!

[@MMijdus]

She is so relaxed. I think because she is good in putting things in perspective. Hence her humor.

[@georgegallucci9958]

Lose

[@mdd4567]

​@@georgegallucci9958 Do you think your remark about this little mistake was absolutely necessary? What a pity you didn't have anything more interesting to say...

[@rholdabester9176]

Wow what an extraordinary intelligent actress Babara Streisand. The best speech ever of one of the best actress. I loved your movies. You deserve that award. Thank you.

[@zakkxx1]

She knows how to work a crowd! She could speak for an hour i wouldn't be mad. A true storyteller!

[@marcackerman492]

"We thank you, Barbra Streisand, for giving us that voice, that echoes so beautifully across time"--Sidney Poitier at the AFI Awards. Been a huge fan for over 50 years. Lucky to see her in concert a few years ago. She was great 50 years ago and continues to be.

[@TheVestini]

The most moving and eloquent speech I have seen for a long time. Such humility. What a gal!!! Congratulations Barbra!

[@itsybitsy999]

The best AFI acceptance speech. I adore that moment where she says "I stand before you not having done any of it." My idol.

[@judypintar9216]

In 1964, I traveled to New York City to see Funny Girl and to see and hear this young singer/actress that was in the news. She blew me away! And, yes to someone else who wrote here, her hands were absolutely gorgeous. It actually was a small theater, and I was in standing room only but we could see the stage very well. She became my idol that night in 1964. We are much older now, Barbra and I (I am near 80) but I am still as much in awe of her as i was in 1964. Her language skills are as wonderful as her singing voice. I've loved all her movies, but her singing is what I think we all will remember. And I was so happy when she found Dr. Gorgeous (from a very old TV show and what Carol Burnet would call a handsome comic on her show...which we all knew was a reference to Jim Brolin.) They are perfect together. Their love is as stirring as her voice. When I hear her voice, I know there is a God!

[@patricedecourcy4505]

Great comment. Thank you

[@blanchefan]

Lovely comment, Judy. I was fortunate enough to see her in 1965 in Funny Girl; as you know, it was a magical (that may be the only word for it) experience, which I'll always cherish. Blessings to you and to all us fans of the greatest star..

[@sandywright529]

I love your story about Barbra ty

[@patriciabedding349]

I’m so impressed by Barbra’s grace. 💞💞

[@jonrunning5952]

Always well spoken and composed. A speech teacher's dream.🙏

[@principeturandot4593]

Barbra Streisand is proof of divine intelligence. She completely redefines beauty and has an ability to stop time when she is on screen. Mesmerizing in every way. Streisand has a talent, and genius in the execution of that talent that is so radiant, it is actually ineffable. I only wished she worked more in film... but what she has achieved, in all mediums - film, theatre, television and music - is miraculous. The Empress of Entertainment. Inspirational and Timeless.

[@willec49]

Barbra is, first of all, probably the smartest person in that room on an intellectual, curiosity, analytic, and wholistic level. Then, because she has such a rich inner life and therefore unusually in touch with unconscious archetypes that serve as templates for all the major myths, themes, issues, and stories that form the basis of human life, she is a channel or conduit for "material", "stories", that want to "come through" into this world and brought before the human community. This is the definition of creativity and art. If art is "successful", it accurately mirrors us and shows us our face, our hopes, dreams, fears, deepest feelings and search for meaning in this life. It's not artificial or contrived. All that goes to say that Barbra is one of those rare, special people that come along periodically, but not often. Of course she has been called "kooky", "off-beat", "different", etc. That's what identifies her as "from another place." If she was a carbon copy of what everybody else is, she would have nothing extra to offer. Show less

[@barbraevergreen]

@@willec49 I love how truthful everything you said.

[@barbraevergreen]

Yes to everything you said. 👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️

[@willec7105]

@@barbraevergreen Thank you. I guess we both appreciate Barbra's personal attributes as well as her talent and work.

[@barbraevergreen]

@@willec7105 Yes definitely! I've seen all her interviews and speeches and I'm stunned by her intellectual capacity and her personality. aaaw I just discovered her last year during quarantine and it was the best thing. We the millennials are such in awe of this woman! She can be anything she wants to be.

[@xaviotesharris891]

20 years later, I'd still love to see you as Hedda Gabler.

[@Jayla60]

My dream came true this year when I was able to be in the same room with Barbra Streisand. She is soft-spoken, kind and so gifted. I love her voice in all its forms. Be sure to see Yentl, an underrated movie which is a cinematic gem. Loved her speech here... elegant, smart and humble. I also love that Barbra remains loyal to those in her professional and personal life. Amazing woman.

[@barbraevergreen]

I'm here again, still so amazed by this woman. I'll be back in this video.

[@sundriesrebecakundomal2920]

Barbra I get emotional every time I see your art acting ,singing ,talking ,directing .You are the best artist and person in this world.I wish I can see you sing live sometime .It's my dream .They way we were is my and my mother favorite film of all time since I was 12 years old Now Im 47.She is now with dementia and its so hard but she still love to hear you sing. Love you forever 💜

[@barbraevergreen]

I love you even more Barbra! I'm 28 and you inspire me so much! 🥰🥰🥰

[@sandywright529]

She's my hero she's AMAZING!!?

[@dannysimion]

Such a wonderful woman who’s done it all and worked with many people throughout her illustrious career both in front and behind the cameras! Love you Babs!

[@dreamermm]

Being this good is The best.there is no question she is heavenly,beautiful,talented,gifted,genial......etc.

[@ricardobigi1712]

A force of nature. Truly great in everything she does. Unique. God bless her, always.

[@antoniobrooks474]

Now THIS is a legend

[@barbraevergreen]

Indeed!

[@edithlazenby5839]

She is a brilliant women, who happens to be an Artist...in every sense of the word....Congrats!! U have always been a source of inspiration for me...TY BS 🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@peterdavino4408]

@Edith Lazenby/ That's a perfect description of Miss Streisand. Not every artist is an intellectual and not every intellectual is an artist. When these two qualities merge the result is genius.

[@dannysimion]

She's a treasure for us all to admire. Just like her speech for the Cecile D Miller Award at the Global Globes, she moved me again in this one, even more so, where her speech has different insights of her perception of the art form. Its truly something to behold as her journey has taken her here 50 years or so later. She's truly one Funny Girl.

[@briansilkworth5486]

Beautiful speech; heartfelt, moving and eloquent. And no notes. All from memory. A true actor.

[@brianeduardo1234]

What a speech - so full of thought and delivered with great panache - as I go about my day in Europe I often wonder what Ms Streisand may be doing

[@ElishaTheCrazed]

I want the whole thing back up again!

[@Foodie619]

My IDOL! I love her, and simply cannot believe Im seeing her in concert in November...whatta dream come true!

[@lhyork1608]

she talks about Bette Davis doing so many more movies than she did and somehow that makes her less worthy to accept the award..how she not see that you cannot compare? She has acted in,written, directed, produced,given so much to her charity work for women's heart disease,and of course the top female vocalist of all time and it amazes me how she doesn't get it-what a gift she has- she is amazing and gifted- it is nice to be humble- but I wish she would not discredit herself-she has such an amazing talent.

[@jj2288]

Thats what I love about her!

[@david0321able]

Wish she would have made more movies.

[@willec7105]

You can can see that Barbra is just as naturally smart as she is talented. When have we seen a speech given by a Hollywood actress with this level of warmth, intelligence, insight, and articulation? Not very often. I would imagine she has a very high I.Q. like her father who was a scholar. Also, she has avoided the typical pitfalls of fame in Hollywood like drug & alcohol addiction, multiple broken marriages, run-ins with the law, etc. I think she is deeply talented in many ways and we are the lucky recipient of her special gifts.

[@barbraevergreen]

I 💯 percent agree with you. Not everyone realizes these things about her. She is responsible enough to know what to avoid and stay grounded despite being a super star. I admire her in so many ways.

[@virian2010]

Barbra Streisand, Earned this award and is a good foundation roll model for other artists who want to try their chance at becoming a success in the world of Art and Music!!

[@barbraevergreen]

I'm back again ! Aaaaw still the greatest speech for me . 😍😍😍

[@BrettTwinSavage]

I come back and watch it every so often, too. 🥰

[@barbraevergreen]

@@BrettTwinSavage Same here. 💕

[@BrettTwinSavage]

@@barbraevergreen I just watched it again. 😊

[@secondaryactons]

What a special evening. It's truly awesome to think that she's a living legend.

[@themisssaigon9666]

I love you Barbra Streisand❤❤❤ Very talented artist in the world

[@debigenovese5650]

What a beautiful moving eloquent speech!! Well deserved award Barbra ❤

[@leeharris2865]

""DAMM BARBRA"" You never stop touching my heart with your beauty and your glorious passion for the Art of Life itself🥀🌹💗🌹🥀

[@vickyswindoll686]

I've always loved her music and movies

[@whimsicaltraveler7811]

Damn, this is just about the MOST PERFECT lifetime achievement acceptance speech I've ever heard! Barbra Streisand just has a way with words, a way of looking at things, that sets her apart from all the other ordinary movie people. Of course, she has the self-assured presence of a diva, so even though she feels she hasn't yet deserved this award with her film career, you know she has had more impact than many of these people in the audience. I mean, of course she doesn't mention all the UNFORGETTABLE songs and albums, and everything else she's ever done, because they're not the focus on this night, but WHAT A WOMAN!

[@willec49]

Barbra is, first of all, probably the smartest person in that room on an intellectual, curiosity, analytic, and wholistic level. Then, because she has such a rich inner life and therefore unusually in touch with unconscious archetypes that serve as templates for all the major myths, themes, issues, and stories that form the basis of human life, she is a channel or conduit for "material", "stories", that want to "come through" into this world and brought before the human community. This is the definition of creativity and art. If art is "successful", it accurately mirrors us and shows us our face, our hopes, dreams, fears, deepest feelings and search for meaning in this life. It's not artificial or contrived. All that goes to say that Barbra is one of those rare, special people that come along periodically, but not often. Of course she has been called "kooky", "off-beat", "different", etc. That's what identifies her as "from another place." If she was a carbon copy of what everybody else is, she would have nothing extra to offer.

[@barrylough2863]

I have heard her say she doesn't consider herself a diva - that she doesn't even know what a diva is. She wasn't interested in fame, she was interested in being an artist.

[@rr7firefly]

+willec49 -- what a wonderful thing you wrote. We are constantly directed to compromise our lives by our obligations in day-to-day life, by the distractions placed around us to sell us a product or an idea, by the strong suggestions that are given to us to think a certain way. The result is that, unless we return regularly to a meaningful level of awareness, to a broader consciousness, we lose ourselves and forget the great capacity we have to do things that are really worthy of us. The big issues are always there. Thank you for reminding me of that right now.

[@kitvancleavephd]

The quintessential pure artist.

[@JOAOVITORLINZ]

What a magnificent Hedda Gabler she would be !! This woman is a force of nature, the most complete personalisation of Talent. What a fabulous artist she is. God bless Barbra!!!

[@christopherrowan3886]

Barbra Streisand is officially the most awarded entertainer in the history of showbusiness, receiving Academy Awards, Golden Globes, Tony's an Emmy and a Sony Award. Her album sales exceed 100 million worldwide and her movies speak from themselves. Fiercely private, but magnetically charismatic and charming beyond most peoples abilities. A superstar....infact, 'the' superstar! From here across the pond Barbra, we adore you! Chris (UK).

[@SaintMTi]

Christopher Rowan Barbra with all do respect isn't the most awarded entertainer of all-time. That honor goes to Michael Jackson with 700 awards and the most awarded female is Whitney Houston with 600+ awards according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

[@christopherrowan3886]

+Marquis Crews Barbra, in terms of various areas of the entertainment business is unparalled in her accomplishments Marquis. She is an award winning actress of both stage and screen, recording artist, concert performer, film director, producer, screenwriter, songwriter, philanthropist, designer, photographer, author and activist. To reiterate, Barbra Streisand is the only entertainer in history to receive an Oscar, Tony, Emmy, Grammy, Golden Globe, Director's Guild of America, National Medal of Arts and Peabody Awards, aswell as France's Legion d'Honneur and the American Film Institutes Lifetime's Achievement Award. Barbra, is infact, the recipient of 2 Oscars, 5 Emmys, 10 Grammys, a Sony, a Tony and 12 Golden Globes including the Cecil B. DeMille Award. She is also the first female director to receive the Kennedy Centre Honours and the three films which she directed included 14 Oscar nominations. .....a feat that even the stupendously talented, beautiful and charismatic Whitney didn't achieve. Michael Jackson, the greatest showman of all time didn't even achieve Barbra's success. With all respect also, you are quoting 'awards' bestowed to Whitney and Michael according to the Guinness Book of World Records..... .....all well and good, but look closely at the Awards. Whitney once was handed an award here in the UK for hairstyle of the decade.... .....When I am quoting Barbra's awards and accolades, it's all about the quality. The awards she has earned are the créme dè la créme of entertainment. Earning an award for best hairstyle is hardly career defining...... Enough said. All the best, Chris (UK).

[@SaintMTi]

Christopher Rowan To be clear I was in NO way discrediting Barbra's amazing career and accomplishments I was simply pointing out where you were wrong when you said she was the most awarded entertainer in history. No matter how its twisted that wasn't true. Yes she has won major honors but she isn't the most awarded... Also its not fair to try to discredit Whitney's accomplishments because of one or two silly awards. Whitney had her fair share of Grammys, Emmys, Billboard, AMAs, and awards for her charity works. No doesn't have Kennedy Center Honors due to the fact she passed before her time.

[@christopherrowan3886]

Marquis Crews​ I understand you weren't discrediting Barbra's career Marquis and nor was I discrediting Whitney's fabulous career. On the contrary; Whitney's raw talent was off the scale and she will remain one of the greatest singers the world has ever known...and will ever know. Regarding Whitney's award for best hairstyle - that is a fact and more than I have ever won lol. I was simply highlighting quantity over quality. The most prestigious awards in showbusiness at the very top - Barbra has been awarded them all. I wasn't being argumentative, but there is no other way to dress it up...Barbra is unparalleld in her awards, accolades and achievements. Without question, Whitney would most likely have gone on to receive various awards of the calibre of Barbra, but sadly we'll never know. It's still hard to believe that Whitney passed before her fiftieth birthday....what a talent. Karen Carpenter was another woman blessed with fine chops that passed before her time... On this we'll have to agree to disagree, but thanks for your comment mate. All the best Marquis! Chris (UK).

[@SaintMTi]

Christopher Rowan I agree... Sadly I don't even think Whitney herself realized how special her gift was.

[@romanticspirit]

The Very Best Female singer/Actress/ Entertainer EVER #1 God Bless HER!!

[@ellenrudolph267]

Her speech was riveting & the award so well deserved. I did find it unusual that she didn’t include her son & husband.

[@TimeIdle]

She's so captivating with her words and delivery.

[@nancysiuyeehui178]

Barbra is a Legend l love you❤

[@arnolt2590]

She articulates so well when she speaks and doesn't eat words it's a pleasure to learn English with her

[@MyGoddessCondoleezza]

Barbra is a very lovely dream woman and a beauty queen.

[@dreamermm]

Simply the one and only,heavenly what she has done im her life,deserves every award

[@babsbestinhistory]

She got sidetracked as a singer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank God she did. I think it's possibly the best PLAN B I have ever heard.

[@barbraevergreen]

Woow i love what you said .

[@jj2288]

thanks for sharing the video....wish there is a full version!

[@Piboon11]

How lovely to have seen this video! Thank you for sharing.

[@kathleensilva2414]

Love her so much!

[@MrScrewy]

Great speech from a magical woman. And she has really beautiful hands!

[@guillermoj1]

Amazing and extremely talented!

[@JennasMusic76]

I LOVE YOU BARB! You will always be perfection to me.

[@wotan10950]

She certainly deserves her recognition. Some of her movies have truly been great, and I’m sure everyone has their favorites. Some have been real duds. But nobody can say Streisand isn’t one of the greatest talents ever to have graced stage/screen/records.

[@namluu9145]

Her voice is so warm ❤️

[@tasunkamaza7051]

amazing woman!

[@haleytoe1999]

i have all her movie all 16 of them and she is sooooo great

[@petergarner7404]

Simply the greatest voice of the 20th century

[@ashleyparks1738]

I've always loved her voice

[@nickyd.7169]

Pure class

[@TheresiaSwiebel]

Barbra is great. She deserve it! 🥰👍

[@shirleyleone799]

A thoughtful and eloquent acceptance speech.

[@princepeterwolf]

Queen of everything

[@ThatsJustMyBabyDaddy]

Please read her autobiography. It's AMAZING. ❤ ❤❤

[@javanfaithagol7616]

A fan here everrrrr

[@carolecarr5210]

Barbara has never let my expectation of total enjoyment, emotional rides up & dow the scales or pure pleasure to be unsatieated. I have to put Yentle at the top of her pyramid. Brilliance shining so bright even Jack Nicholson's glasses couldn't stop that light..

[@paulbutler1873]

She is pure class. And the greatest star!

[@jmartin4204]

good seeing this again , was in the US when it was shown and remember watching on the actual night

[@dreamermm]

Np entertainer got and get standing ovation like her,because everybody knows here is someone very special

[@willec49]

Barbra is, first of all, probably the smartest person in that room on an intellectual, curiosity, analytic, and wholistic level. Then, because she has such a rich inner life and therefore unusually in touch with unconscious archetypes that serve as templates for all the major myths, themes, issues, and stories that form the basis of human life, she is a channel or conduit for "material", "stories", that want to "come through" into this world and brought before the human community. This is the definition of creativity and art. If art is "successful", it accurately mirrors us and shows us our face, our hopes, dreams, fears, deepest feelings and search for meaning in this life. It's not artificial or contrived. All that goes to say that Barbra is one of those rare, special people that come along periodically, but not often. Of course she has been called "kooky", "off-beat", "different", etc. That's what identifies her as "from another place." If she was a carbon copy of what everybody else is, she would have nothing extra to offer. Show less

[@forestkaatprescott8429]

If her life story is filmed (& it will be), who could play her at various ages? It would have to be complete unknowns. I think when some criticize her, they just don't get who she is & what she's not. No performer or movie maker is going to please everyone all of the time - no one can or has done that. I think she's a rare, talented & gifted person.

[@renegaderunner332]

Wow! Sidney Poitier and Barbara Streisand on the same stage! Two living legends!

[@jamesfreeman2258]

Of course they will make a film of her, and of course without a doubt she stirs your heart whether she is making a speech as she does here, a movie where she is perhaps the most giving actress in movies(to her audience) or as a director done with firm tenderness and honesty, but her singing is the heart of Strestand. There are a few singers that are above even the best of them, and she and maybe 4 others are on that list. For me, it is her sincerity, her inner innocence along with that incrediable talent that she conveys in her singing or movies that stirs the heart. She is a icon and like the grestest of them all we will never see her kind of talent again.

[@outinsider]

I hope she finds inspiration too, it would be nice to see her direct a movie again.

[@stephenfermoyle1498]

the pink tapers[ candles ] in the Prince of Tides and the score from this film Miss S has a hand in it all

[@stephenfermoyle1498]

THE BEST SIDE TRACK SHE IS AMAZING

[@vincentamendola6809]

Love you Barbra 👍🙏❤!!!

[@JamesNakasoneHuangCareer]

excellent, look forward someday I can have a nice song duet with you ...thank you the beautiful music and songs to our ears ....

[@MrDuboce]

Barbra at her best. The Greatest Star.

[@YourJellyFishAteMyTV]

Without doubt this lady is my hero

[@midwaysar]

She couldn't get work as as dramatic actress - she created her own special space! Bravo

[@peterdavino4408]

@Joann Stevens/ She created her own special planet!

[@shpidoinkleboy]

this speech really is so classy from her.

[@lanalevin4851]

Privileged to have seen her concert in New York in 2007

[@blondien0311]

I’m half way thru her memoir and just about everyone she mentions in her book are in attendance there.

[@residentevil4life]

great speech i love how she poked fun at herself with the flower comment,

[@liagugushvili3017]

Her speech is great, I live it

[@user-pj2kr5co4s]

素晴らしいです。ありがとう❤

[@elvirametzger985]

Eine DER Grössten Frauen der heutigen Zeit ...diese Barbara...der Stern 🌟

[@maria6474]

Super inteligente essa linda mulher🌹🇧🇷

[@elizabethstops2362]

A true artist 🎨

[@rholdabester9176]

Very good singer also. Always admire.

[@Jensie1985]

Truly Wonderful

[@SpeegBJ]

I would have never made it up those steps....too many wonderful film people in the room!

[@tonitalas1757]

A gift to the world 🌎

[@uncountedsurvivor9409]

Classy Lady. Talented Artist. Forever Intriguing Person. Ok.....I might be a little obsessed! ;-) She just told Fran Drescher she has a new album coming out! Gush! and blush.

[@nickyd.7169]

The GREATEST STAR ⭐

[@inesolarra6134]

Magníca mujer

[@rickmeade9693]

Barbra strisand a life in singing alife time of her talent actting and singing her voice is a angel like in so many ways every body loves it its so so sounds like an angel and her hubandgets a free show for ever he is blessed