A look back at Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson in 'A Star Is Born'

Before Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper starred as Ally and Jackson in the 2018 "A Star is Born," there were Esther and John. Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson played the iconic lovers in 1976 -- proceeding Janet Gaynor and Fredric March in 1937 and Judy Garland and James Mason in 1954.

The film, directed by Frank Pierson, became the third-highest grossing movie of 1976 and went on to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Evergreen" along with five Golden Globe Awards.

Kristofferson was the heartthrob and sex symbol of the era while Streisand was known for her extraordinary vocals and songwriting abilities -- similar to Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga today.

Check our the 1976 trailer below:

Streisand praised the 2018 rendition in a recent interview. "I loved it. I think it's wonderful, I think she's [Lady Gaga] wonderful. Bradley told me spent months with her working to see her real self. In other words, I call her Stephanie. I can't call her 'Lady Gaga,' but I understand why she called herself Lady Gaga, I understand that person and I think it's great. They are going to have a big it!"

Check out Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper below!