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Swazi-English actor Richard E. Grant, an academy award nominee in 2019 for his role as Jack Hock in Can You Ever Forgive Me?, has been a lifelong fan of Barbra Streisand.
Growing up in Swaziland in the early 60s, Grant's first exposure to Streisand was in the film version of the musical Funny Girl, after which he "avidly followed" Streisand's career, buying all her records, and eventually penning her a letter when he felt it was her time of need.
Grant posted a picture of himself standing outside Barbra Streisand's house and included the text of said letter:
As a lifelong fan of someone you’ll understand what it meant for me to take this snap outside the home of… https://t.co/PW67DvUbJ3— Richard E. Grant (@Richard E. Grant) 1548772440.0
"I am fourteen years old I read in the paper that you were feeling very tired and pressurized by your fame and failed romance with Mr Ryan O'Neal," reads the letter.
"I would like to offer you a two-week holiday, or longer, at our house, which is very beautiful with a pool and a magnificent view of the Ezulwini Valley. Which the Swazi people call Valley of Heaven. I think you will agree when you see it.
"Here you can rest. No one will trouble you and I assure you you will not be mobbed in the street as your films only show in our one cinema for three days, so not that many people will know who you are, so no chance of being mobbed. Please consider this respite seriously. You will always be welcome."
Streisand read Grant's letter 47 years later and posted the most lovely response to it.
@RichardEGrant Dear Richard What a wonderful letter you wrote me when u were 14 ! and look at u now! You're terrifi… https://t.co/lVBsS5uIy9— Barbra Streisand (@Barbra Streisand) 1548795396.0
Grant, now 61, had his own personal fangirl moment.
I cannot begin to properly express what your generous reply has meant to me! THANK YOU. And most especially for NOT… https://t.co/FnFLUQf6ss— Richard E. Grant (@Richard E. Grant) 1548799409.0
In fact, there is photo evidence of his reaction.
My pal Nicole Wilcox took this photo as my daughter read me @BarbraStreisand ‘s tweet/response to a letter I sent h… https://t.co/hQoykhBKMX— Richard E. Grant (@Richard E. Grant) 1548813498.0
Where did all these feels come from?
@RichardEGrant I’m obsessed with this— Isaac Mizrahi (@Isaac Mizrahi) 1548813938.0
@RichardEGrant Somebody start a freakin’ campaign to get you two together for tea!! Someone?— James Yeoburn (@James Yeoburn) 1548838901.0
@RichardEGrant This is like something from a Richard Curtis movie... hmmm...— emma freud 🔴 (@emma freud 🔴) 1548842653.0
@RichardEGrant This whole interaction is just so pure & beautiful. ❤️😭 https://t.co/Rr5kRhjPrd— R o s i e 🌹 (@R o s i e 🌹) 1548799811.0
@RichardEGrant Dreams can come true. My faith has been restored x— Fred Longdale (@Fred Longdale) 1548802754.0
In a world where Chicago is literally colder than Antarctica this week, this definitely brought a little bit of warmth and light into our days.
@BarbraStreisand @RichardEGrant Oh my word. In every single way this has popped the biggest smile on my face ❤️ 😀 I love this— Gaby Roslin (@Gaby Roslin) 1548800276.0
@RichardEGrant @BarbraStreisand Ok this is one of the sweetest things I’ve seen in so long. My heart is just bursti… https://t.co/mpsMmrNPFQ— Parisa Fitz-Henley (@Parisa Fitz-Henley) 1548787636.0
@RichardEGrant @BarbraStreisand this is delightful!! you wrote beautifully for 14. xx— Jen Euston Casting (@Jen Euston Casting) 1548799562.0
@RichardEGrant @BarbraStreisand “In anticipation of a hasty reply.” Bless your little 14 yo heart. 🥰— an cailín cainteach 🕯 (@an cailín cainteach 🕯) 1548787456.0
@RichardEGrant @BarbraStreisand https://t.co/b3hCkKHdFW— CJDHerts (@CJDHerts) 1548773698.0
Every celebrity got their inspiration to start working as an artist somewhere.
Barbra was likely the inspiration for an entire generation of artists. And how could she not be with her iconic rendition of "Rain On My Parade"?
DON'T RAIN ON MY PARADE - BARBRA STREISAND www.youtube.com
@RichardEGrant https://t.co/W62bKg9GMx— ana 💚 (@ana 💚) 1548800243.0
@RichardEGrant https://t.co/5nOrQ3azNA— James Ito (@James Ito) 1548799824.0
@RichardEGrant Wow !!! Worth the wait xx— bevnewton (@bevnewton) 1548835044.0
Ain't social media a beautiful thing?