Barbra Streisand’s Shocking SAG Awards Speech: Hollywood Built by Prejudice Fleeing Heroes!

The Screen Actors Guild Awards, in its 30th edition, bestowed a lifetime achievement honor upon Barbra Streisand this past Saturday.

Before handing over the SAG Life Achievement Award, Jennifer Aniston and Bradley Cooper acknowledged Streisand’s remarkable contributions to the entertainment industry, both on and off the screen. The event took place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles and was broadcast live on Netflix.

Streisand, who has been a member of SAG-AFTRA for more than six decades, paid homage to the pioneers of Hollywood who escaped prejudice.

“Being part of this profession is truly a privilege. People, for a few hours, can immerse themselves in a movie and forget their personal worries,” Streisand expressed. “This concept, of moving pictures on a screen, is fascinating. It takes me back to those who laid the foundation of this industry. Ironically, they too were running away from their own problems.”

She went on to name industry stalwarts like Samuel Goldwyn, Louis B. Mayer, and the Warner brothers, saying, “They all escaped the discrimination they encountered in Eastern Europe due to their religious beliefs. They were visionaries too, just like all of us present here tonight. And now, I envision a world where such discrimination is a relic of the past.”

Every year, the SAG Life Achievement Award is presented to an artist who promotes the “highest principles of the acting profession.” Past winners of this award include Sally Field, Helen Mirren, Robert De Niro, Alan Alda, Morgan Freeman, Lily Tomlin, and Carol Burnett.

SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher, when announcing the honor, stated, “Barbra Streisand is an icon, an unparalleled talent, and a force to be reckoned with. From her early days captivating Broadway audiences to her unforgettable roles in classic films like ‘Funny Girl,’ ‘The Way We Were,’ ‘A Star Is Born,’ Barbra’s exceptional ability to portray her characters authentically is nothing short of extraordinary.”

“Her enduring career stands as a testament to her genuine performances, resonating deeply with the audiences. Barbra Streisand, an enormous icon with a tireless work ethic, continues to evolve throughout her remarkable journey. We celebrate her not just for her achievements, but also for the enduring legacy she has created,” Drescher added.

Earlier in the week, Streisand shared with The Times about the moment she realized her calling to be an actor.

“The moment I saw Marlon Brando at 13, I knew I was destined to be an actress. Acting is a passion that cannot be overlooked. It’s like a calling. If it’s just a simple career choice, then it’s not for you. One must have the resilience to handle the rejection actors face… As for me acting again, I won’t rule it out,” she said.

Though Streisand is famously known for her dislike of attending award ceremonies, she revealed to The Times why she chose to attend this year’s SAG Awards. “I’m attending this award show because I was informed beforehand that I won the award! No stress or drama,” she explained. “And I’m extremely proud to be a member of SAG since 1961. I appreciate Fran Drescher and many other actors who marched and fought hard for what they campaigned for.”

Streisand concluded by saying that it was fate: “The numbers aligned — my lucky number is 24. The number 2 and the number 4, and this award falls on 2-24-24.”