Barbra Streisand Reveals Shocking Pay Disparity for ‘Meet the Fockers’ Role – Will She Return?

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Barbra Streisand, a timeless icon of Hollywood, boasting EGOT winner status and a surname synonymous with awards, surprisingly faced underpayment in one of the most successful films of the 2000s – “Meet the Fockers.” As Roz Focker, she allegedly didn’t earn the salary commensurate with her character. Though she hasn’t fully recovered from this, I still harbor hope for her return to the franchise.

In a recent interview with Variety, the 83-year-old performer and actress discussed her new album titled “The Secret Of Life: Partners, Volume Two“. When asked about revisiting the “Meet the Parents” franchise, Streisand was straightforward in expressing her thoughts. She indicated:

I’m quite upset because I wasn’t compensated equally with my peers, which is frustrating given the context of gender wage disparities back then. Interestingly, the CEO of Universal, Ron Meyer, did acknowledge this inequity by sending me a bonus check, which was thoughtful indeed.

It’s shocking to think about this, but Barbra Streisand, a legendary actress, didn’t receive equal pay for “Meet the Fockers,” a movie that raked in an astonishing $522 million globally! That fact alone is mind-blowing, but it gets even more puzzling when you consider the underwhelming second sequel, “Little Fockers,” which amazingly still took the top spot at the box office. Streisand’s portrayal in these films was nothing short of iconic.

One could hardly overlook Roz Focker’s free-spirited demeanor and the uproarious back massage she gives to the stiff-mannered Jack Byrnes, portrayed by Robert De Niro. It’s an indelible memory for many. However, even with her obvious skills, she found herself needing a “generous” extra paycheck to balance her budget. I must admit, it leaves me puzzled.

Back then, around the mid-2000s, significant wage gaps weren’t merely tolerated, they were common practice across industries. Yet, when it comes straight from one of the most influential figures in entertainment, this stark reality carries a profound impact.

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Currently, Babs has left the door slightly open for a possible comeback in the long-awaited fourth installment of “Meet the Parents”. If Universal and the filmmakers are serious about bringing back Streisand to reprise her iconic role as Roz, they’ll need to prepare some very attractive offers, perhaps even offering more than just the initial compensation. Given how powerfully Streisand made an impact in that part, it would truly be a missed opportunity if she didn’t return for this sequel.

Currently, Streisand is dedicating her time to music. Her forthcoming duet album includes artists like Sam Smith, Hozier, Ariana Grande, and Mariah Carey. Despite this, she remains actively engaged with contemporary culture. Her grandchildren recently enjoyed the musical Wicked, and when asked about Ariana Grande being cast in a follow-up to one of Ben Stiller’s popular films, she chuckled and responded.

She’s going to play Roz Focker?

Babs, whether she re-joins the bustling Focker clan or not, one thing is undeniably apparent: many women, including the well-known ones, have battled for equal wages. Streisand isn’t shy about acknowledging this fact.

Let’s express it openly: Streisand should receive her just recognition, Roz Focker deserves an fitting farewell, and we long for the gathering of fans that we deserve. For now, fans can re-experience the entire Focker Trilogy, as it’s accessible through a Hulu subscription for streaming.

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2025-06-23 19:07