From Hollywood Icons to Lifelong Friends
Let's talk about Nick Nolte. These days, he’s looking a whole lot sharper, less rugged, and a bit more polished. But one thing hasn’t changed: he’s still a private guy who doesn’t open up to just anyone. Yet, there’s someone in his life who’s managed to break through those walls, and that’s Barbra Streisand. Their friendship has stood the test of time, and according to insiders, it’s because Barbra played a key role in helping Nick turn his life around after his DUI arrest in 2002.
Now, Nick might not be out there hobnobbing with every Hollywood star, but when it comes to Barbra, she’s right up there among his closest confidants. A source close to the pair told Closer, “Nick has immense respect for Barbra. They had this electric chemistry back when they were filming Prince of Tides, but now they see each other more like family—like brother and sister. Sure, Nick’s got his current wife, Clytie Lane, and Barbra’s with Jim Brolin, but there’s always going to be that special bond between them.”
Barbra's Influence on Nick's Sober Journey
After Nick's DUI incident in 2002, Barbra stepped in to support him in his journey toward sobriety. According to an insider, “She’s been there for him every step of the way. Barbra’s not just a friend; she’s been instrumental in helping Nick stay on track. When he needed advice about roles or career moves, she was always ready to lend a hand. In fact, she directed him in one of his most iconic performances, and they’ve spent countless evenings together, enjoying quiet dinners and intimate conversations. Both are private people, but when they’re together, they can talk about anything under the sun, and they’ve got each other’s backs no matter what.”
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A Look Back at Their Early Days
In his 2018 memoir, Rebel: My Life Outside the Lines, Nick, now 83, reminisces about meeting Barbra for the first time in 1989. She invited him over to read for the part in the 1991 film The Prince of Tides. “I was immediately captivated by her,” Nick writes. “There was this undeniable connection, so much so that we knew early on we needed to set boundaries. We both realized that while we could enjoy the fantasy of a romantic relationship, an actual physical one might not survive the intensity of making the film.”
Nick admits that resisting the chemistry between them was tough. “We can live in the fantasy of a relationship, and that will endure,” he wrote. “But an actual physical relationship might not hold up once the film was done.” Despite Barbra’s reported attempts to persuade him to move in with her—“Come out and live with me,” she allegedly told him—he declined, focusing instead on raising his son, Brawley, with his then-wife, Rebecca Linger.
Family Ties and Love Lives
Nick’s personal life has been as colorful as his career. He shares Brawley with Rebecca Linger and has a daughter, Sophia, with his current wife, Clytie Lane, whom he married in 2016. Before Rebecca, Nick was married twice—to Sheila Page and Sharyn Haddad. On the other hand, Barbra has been with James Brolin since 1998. Together, they’ve built a quiet life away from the spotlight. Barbra also has a son, Jason Gould, from her previous marriage to Elliott Gould, which ended in 1971 after 8 years. Over the years, Barbra has been romantically linked to a number of high-profile figures, including Liam Neeson, Clint Eastwood, Richard Gere, and Jon Voight.
When Barbra first met James Brolin, it was a classic blind date. “I was so nervous that I went straight to the kids when I arrived at his house,” she revealed in 2021. “I expected a rugged guy with long hair and a beard, but instead, there he was with a completely different look. I walked right past him, ran my hand through his hair, and said, ‘Who messed up your hair?’”
