Barbra Streisand has made American Film Institute history.
The stage and film performer has been selected to receive the 2001 AFI Life Achievement Award, making her the first woman director to be awarded such an honor in the award’s 29-year history, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
“Barbra Streisand is a living legend who epitomizes the essence of American film,” AFI board Chairman Howard Stringer said in a statement. “She is a pioneer in everything she does — whether it’s acting, directing, writing, producing or singing. Over her 40-year career, she has garnered the adulation and respect of the entire creative community as well as the world at large.”
Streisand will be honored at the AFI’s annual award ceremony on Feb. 22 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. But for those who don’t have a ticket, no worries. The grand event will be broadcast on Fox Television sometime in the spring. An exact air date has yet to be set.
Streisand‘s Oscar-winning role in William Wyler‘s (also an AFI Life Achievement Award recipient) “Funny Girl” (1968) remains as one of her most memorable onscreen performances in her wide body of work. She’s starred in numerous musicals, including “Hello, Dolly!” (1969), “The Owl and the Pussycat” (1970) and “What’s Up, Doc?” (1972).
She made her first venture as a director in 1983’s “Yentl,” which she also co-wrote, produced and starred in. Her other directorial credits include “The Prince of Tides” (1991) and “The Mirror Has Two Faces” (1996). She’s also produced several films under her production company, Barwood Films.
To date, Streisand has won 2 Academy Awards, 10 Golden Globes, 10 Grammys, two Peabody Awards, three Emmys, a Tony and two Women in Film Crystal Awards.
