Richard E. Grant’s reaction to Barbra Streisand goes viral

Richard E. Grant might have missed out on an Oscar but that doesn’t mean the actor’s night wasn’t a winner.

Despite missing out on an Oscar for actor in a supporting role it’s safe to say Richard E. Grant’s night was still a winner.

Grant, a long time Barbra Streisand fan, couldn’t contain his excitement when the musical icon presented an award.

Cameras captured the Can You Ever Forgive Me? star exclaim “wow!” and clutch at his chest in excitement as Streisand made her way on stage.

Barbra Streisand. Picture: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Viewers at home didn’t miss the British actor’s adorable moment of fandom either, with his reaction instantly memorialised in gifs.

Guys, @RichardEGrant when Barbra Streisand came out on stage was all of us. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/LfQQpKVqZU

— Sooz Kempner (@SoozUK) February 25, 2019

Richard E. Grant reacting to Babs is the only pure thing #oscars

— Kathryn Funkhouser (@KatFunkhouser) February 25, 2019

Richard E. Grant’s reaction to seeing his BFF Barbra. Love it! #Oscars pic.twitter.com/j9b6o6VhB4

— Erica Quiroz (@EricaCQuiroz) February 25, 2019

richard e grant getting to see barbra streisand is his oscar pic.twitter.com/DXrFJM3HLM

— David Mack (@davidmackau) February 25, 2019

Grant’s love of Streisand goes back to his teens, when he wrote the star a letter inviting her to his family home in Swaziland and praised her performance in Funny Girl.

Hilariously, Grant travelled to Streisand’s home last month to snap a selfie outside, joking that his wife was “very understanding” and sharing his teenage letter on Twitter.

Dear Richard What a wonderful letter you wrote me when u were 14 ! and look at u now! You're terrific in your latest movie with Melissa congratulations and love Barbra

— Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) January 29, 2019

Streisand responded to Grant’s Twitter message, tweeting back that it was a “wonderful letter” and he was “terrific” in Can You Ever Forgive Me?, prompting this disbelieving reaction:

My pal Nicole Wilcox took this photo as my daughter read me @BarbraStreisand ‘s tweet/response to a letter I sent her 47 yrs ago. Am completely crinkle faced & overcome with emotion. My ‘Message in a bottle’ miracle. 😭😍😇 pic.twitter.com/bJMko098we

— Richard E. Grant (@RichardEGrant) January 30, 2019

As he walked the Oscars red carpet Grant joked to E! News that he planned to ask Streisand if she would marry him if they met at the event.