Barbra Streisand has revealed that her co-star Mandy Patinkin made her life “miserable” while filming her iconic film Yentl.
The couple starred in the 1983 film as students who meet in a yeshiva [a traditional Jewish school] to Yentl [Barbra] disguises himself as a boy. Then she realizes that she is falling in love with Avigdor [Mandy]who is already engaged.
But apparently Mandy was also hoping something romantic would blossom in real life, as Barbra revealed the married actor had suggested an affair.
In her new memoir, My Name is Barbra, she writes: “There was a moment, about a week into filming, when Mandy and I were filming a scene in the yeshiva.”
“I think he had two or three lines, but he wouldn’t look me in the eyes. He just stared at my forehead.’
Candid: Barbra Streisand, 81, has revealed Yentl co-star Mandy Patinkin, 70, made her life “miserable” after he suggested an affair during filming
Review: The pair played students who meet in a yeshiva when Yentl (Barbra) dresses up as a boy in the 1983 film. Then she realizes that she is falling in love with Avigdor (Mandy).
Married life: Mandy has been married to fellow actress Kathryn Grody since 1980 and the couple have two sons, Isaac and Gideon (pictured in 2023).
Barbra later confronted him about his behavior in her directorial debut and he responded, “I thought we would have a more personal relationship.”
‘”What?” “I had no idea what he was talking about,” she continued.
‘[He said,] “I thought we were having an affair.” I looked at him like he was crazy. . . 1) I would never have an affair with an actor I directed, 2) he was married, and 3) I wasn’t attracted to him at all.
“But I couldn’t tell him that I wasn’t fascinated by him. I didn’t want to hurt his feelings, so I just said, ‘That’s not how I act.’ Tears streamed down his cheeks.’
The A Star Is Born actress then told the Homeland star that she would replace him if his behavior continued.
She said: We’re only there in two weeks. I can reshoot all your scenes if you can’t be more professional. I’ve waited fifteen years to achieve my dream and I won’t let you destroy it.’
“By this point, Mandy had been giving me a hard time for months and I just couldn’t bear the thought of making love to him. “I’m not that good of an actress.
“So I changed it. I rewrote the scene. And now that I look back on it, I wonder if I allowed my frustration with Mandy to override my instincts.
“Maybe I should have let Yentl and the audience have that moment.”
Web has contacted Mandy’s representatives for comment.
Former flame: Barbra separated from her first husband Elliott Gould in 1969 after tying the knot for the first time in 1963 and welcoming their son Jason (pictured in 1967).
Happy: Barbra is now married to James Brolin after the couple said “I do” in 1998
Barbra separated from her first husband Elliott Gould in 1969 after tying the knot for the first time in 1963 and welcoming their son Jason.
She later married actor James Brolin in 1998.
Mandy has now been married to fellow actress Kathryn Grody since 1980 and the couple have two sons, Isaac and Gideon.
Barbra also condemned the rise of anti-Semitism and fascism in the United States on Monday’s Late Show With Stephen Colbert.
During a rare interview conducted at her home in Malibu, California, Stephen, 59, was asked for her opinion on increasing hostilities against Jewish people.
‘It is so sad. It’s sad what’s happening today. That means people have to live together, even if they belong to different religions or whatever. People are people. This is true. You know, we all want the same thing. We all want love in our hearts. We all want a family. “We all want to feel safe,” Barbra said, referring to the Israel-Hamas war.
“I hope for the best, because it is heartbreaking what is happening to these people now.” The children, the mothers, no matter what religion they belong to. You know what I mean? This goes beyond religion. “It is madness if we do not learn to live together in peace,” she added.
The new book, My Name Is Barbra, was published by Viking Press earlier this month