Before Barbra Streisand became one of the most successful entertainers in American history, she was a young performer whose unconventional appearance did not fit the traditional Hollywood image of a leading lady.

Rather than trying to completely transform herself to fit those expectations, Streisand built her career around the qualities that made her distinctive: an extraordinary singing voice, powerful acting ability, sharp personality and unmistakable presence.

Her breakthrough came with the musical Funny Girl, which opened on Broadway in 1964. Streisand later reprised the role of Fanny Brice in the 1968 film adaptation, and her performance made her a major movie star. At the 1969 Academy Awards, she won the Oscar for Best Actress, sharing the award with Katharine Hepburn.

Her career continued to expand across music, film, Broadway and directing. She eventually became an EGOT winner, earning Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony recognition. The Recording Academy describes her as an eight-time Grammy winner, while also noting her extraordinary six-decade career.

Streisand also refused to let conventional ideas about Hollywood beauty determine her career. Her distinctive appearance, which might once have been considered a disadvantage, ultimately became part of the identity that made her instantly recognizable.

The woman who didn’t fit Hollywood’s traditional mold eventually became one of the defining performers of the modern entertainment industry.

She didn’t become a star by looking like everyone else. She became a star by making it impossible for anyone else to look, sound or perform quite like her.