Picture this: a young, unknown Barbra Streisand, just 19 years old, walks into an audition room. She’s there to try out for the role of Miss Marmelstein, the spinster secretary in I Can Get It for You Wholesale. Not only does she belt out three incredible songs, but she also leaves her phone number with the casting team. Now, that’s confidence! Elliott Gould, who was 23 at the time and had landed the lead role, couldn’t resist. “I remembered her number and, well, I called her,” he recalls with a smile.
From Audition to Marriage: A Star-Crossed Romance
That simple phone call sparked a friendship that blossomed into love—and eventually marriage. Fast forward to today, and Elliott, now 82, reflects on their nearly 50-year history with fondness. “We got married, had a son, and had a great life together,” he says, his voice filled with warmth as he reminisces about those days. Their bond wasn’t just romantic; it was built on mutual respect and admiration, even if their careers took different paths.
A Shared Legacy Despite Divorce
Although Barbra and Elliott split in 1971, their connection never truly ended. Over the years, they remained friends, co-parenting their son, Jason Gould, who’s now a successful singer in his own right. In fact, their relationship is so close that Elliott still shares deep conversations with Barbra. Recently, she approached him about her autobiography, asking, “Why did we grow apart?” Elliott’s response? “The truth is, we didn’t grow together.”
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Barbra’s Meteoric Rise to Stardom
Barbra’s debut in Wholesale wasn’t just a success—it was a phenomenon. Overnight, she became a household name, earning a Tony nomination and a New York Drama Critics Circle Award. She graced the stage of The Tonight Show and, within a year, released her debut album, The Barbra Streisand Album. Within weeks, she was crowned the country’s top-selling female vocalist. It was a whirlwind ascent that changed her life forever.
A Personal Journey Amid Fame
But fame came with its challenges. In September 1963, while Barbra was performing with Liberace in Carson City, Nevada, she and Elliott tied the knot in a quiet ceremony. Their son, Jason, was born in 1966, but even parenthood couldn’t keep them together. As Barbra’s career soared, it overshadowed Elliott’s, creating a rift between them. “We didn’t grow together because she became more important than us,” Elliott admits. Yet, he adds, “We did great. We made it very fast, and nobody has what we have. There’s you and me and our kid.”
For more captivating stories like this one, pick up the latest issue of Closer, available on newsstands now.
