Barbra's Personal Prince of Tides

February 13, 2010
When Barbra Streisand began shopping her concept for a film version of Pat Conroy's best selling novel "The Prince of Tides," it was Gareth Wigan who became her benefactor at Columbia Pictures. Wigan, a senior executive at the studio, was essentially the architect behind the project, paving ways and insuring nothing but green lights for Barbra.

Wigan was one of those people behind the scenes that we never heard about, but who nevertheless was an integral part of the workings of Hollywood motion picture production. The fact that his name is not listed among the credits for "Prince of Tides" does not diminish his importance in getting the film made. Without his involvement, the story of how "Prince of Tides" got to the screen might have had a different outcome.

As an executive at various Hollywood studios, the British born Wigan was key to the production of several other high profile pictures of note, among them "Star Wars," "Alien," "All that Jazz" and "The Turning Point." He was a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

When Gareth Wigan passed away in L.A. at age 78, one of the first to offer a public remembrance was Barbra Streisand. She said, "Gareth was one of the smartest, kindest, most loving people I have ever known. I shall miss him dearly.”

The first major project that Barbra would complete following Wigan's passing was her DVD called "One Night Only - Barbra Streisand and Quartet at The Village Vanguard." Barbra dedicated the DVD to Wigan.