Barbra Streisand to perform in memoriam tribute at 2026 Oscars honoring Robert Redford

Barbra Streisand is in talks to deliver a special in memoriam performance at the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, 2026, honoring the late Robert Redford, who died in September 2025. The connection between the two is not incidental. Streisand and Redford starred together in The Way We Were in 1973, a film that became one of the defining romantic dramas of that decade and for which the title song, performed by Streisand, won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 46th ceremony in 1974.

Redford's death at 89 closed a career that spanned six decades and included an Academy Award for Best Director for Ordinary People in 1981, as well as the Honorary Oscar he received at the 2002 Governors Awards for his overall contributions to American film. He also founded the Sundance Institute in 1981, which grew into the Sundance Film Festival, still the most prominent independent film festival in the United States. A performance by Streisand at the Oscars would be her first live television performance in several years.

Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan to pay tribute to Rob Reiner

Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan are confirmed to appear together at the ceremony to pay tribute to filmmaker Rob Reiner, who died in December 2025 along with his wife. Crystal and Ryan starred in When Harry Met Sally, directed by Reiner, which was released in 1989 and remains one of the most watched American romantic comedies. Reiner directed that film from a Nora Ephron screenplay, and its success came on top of a string of films that included This Is Spinal Tap, Stand by Me, The Princess Bride, and A Few Good Men.

Reiner received two Academy Award nominations as a producer for A Few Good Men in 1993, which was nominated for Best Picture. He did not win, but the nomination confirmed his commercial and critical standing in Hollywood at the time. His death in December 2025 followed a period of continued work in film and political advocacy, and the decision to feature Crystal and Ryan as his on-stage tribute reflects how closely his legacy is tied to When Harry Met Sally in popular memory, even with a broader filmography behind him.

The in memoriam segment and how it has evolved at the Oscars

The Academy's in memoriam segment has been a fixed part of the ceremony since the 1990s, when it shifted from a simple scroll of names to a more produced sequence with accompanying music. The decision about who receives individual tribute segments beyond the compiled reel, and who performs musical accompaniment, is made by the ceremony's producers in consultation with the Academy. Not every significant death during the eligibility year receives individual stage time. Redford's stature as a director, actor, and founder of an institution that directly shaped independent film distribution warranted a solo tribute.

In recent years, in memoriam performances have included Jennifer Hudson singing for Aretha Franklin at the 91st ceremony and Billie Eilish performing a tribute at the 92nd. Both drew significant viewership and positive response, and the Academy has continued using musical tributes for specific figures when the performer choice is both historically appropriate and a draw for the telecast audience. Streisand performing The Way We Were would fall into that category, given her direct personal and professional history with Redford.

Live original song performances: Sinners and KPop Demon Hunters

The Best Original Song category at the 98th Academy Awards will be represented by live performances during the telecast, as is standard for the ceremony. Music from Sinners, the Ryan Coogler film that leads all nominees with 16 nominations, is among the confirmed performances. The film's musical sequences, which incorporate blues, gospel, and other American vernacular music traditions set in the 1930s, have been among the most discussed elements of its reception.

KPop Demon Hunters, a film whose soundtrack nomination reflects the growing presence of South Korean popular music in global entertainment markets, is also set to perform. The film's nomination in the Best Original Song category is among the first instances of a K-pop associated soundtrack receiving this specific recognition at the Academy Awards. The 95th Academy Awards ceremony in 2023 saw Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and Sofia Carson among the live performers in the Best Original Song category, drawing strong viewership for that segment specifically. The 98th ceremony begins at 7 PM Eastern time on ABC and Hulu on March 15.