Barbra Streisand feted for film career at Lincoln Center

Singer and actress Barbra Streisand was the toast of New York Monday night, as she was celebrated by famous friends and a throng of devotees at the Lincoln Center.

The actress, singer and filmmaker was the recipient of the Film Society of Lincoln Center's 40th annual Chaplin Award, a film-achievement career prize.

"Ever since I can remember, people have been calling me bossy and opinionated," Streisand told the crowd.

"Maybe that's because I am. Three cheers for bossy women!" she declared, sparking roars from the star-studded audience.

The Oscar, Emmy, Grammy and Tony-winning performer and producer, who turns 71 on Wednesday, reminisced about how music and singing helped open doors for her.

"Thank God I was given a good voice," she said.

The evening featured highlights of Streisand's film career, from classics like Funny Girl and The Way We Were to the landmark Yentl to more recent fare like Meet the Fockers.

Jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and singers Liza Minnelli and Tony Bennett were among those who serenaded Streisand, while friends, colleagues and former co-stars such as Blythe Danner, Ben Stiller, Robert Redford and Omar Sharif offered tributes in person and by video.

"Every great person is driven," friend and former U.S. president Bill Clinton said onstage.

"But if that person has massive talent, big brains and a bigger heart, you want to go along for the ride."