"Funny Girl" Producer

January 17, 2004
Hollywood and Broadway are mourning the loss of legendary film producer and erstwhile theatrical impresario Ray Stark who passed away on January 17. He was 88.

Stark signed Barbra Streisand to play the role of his mother-in-law, comedienne Fanny Brice, in the stage and film versions of "Funny Girl." It was for that decision alone that many consider Ray Stark the most important individual in Barbra Streisand's career.

Their relationship was at times contentious, and Barbra felt the constraints of their long term contractual arrangement. In what can be best categorized as unconfirmed Hollywood lore, Barbra was less than enthusiastic about reprising her Fanny Brice role in "Funny Lady." Regardless of what really happened behind the cameras, "Funny Lady" became another triumph for the Streisand-Stark association.

In addition to "Funny Girl" and "Funny Lady," Barbra worked for Stark in "The Owl and the Pussycat" and "The Way We Were." It was "The Way We Were" that firmly established Barbra Streisand as a dramatic actress, and her performance was rewarded with an Oscar nomination.