James Brolin, Great Communicator

Husband Of Democratic Party Stalwart Streisand Is Cast As Reagan

(CBS/AP)  Democratic Party stalwart Barbra Streisand will be welcoming a Republican president home.

Her husband, actor James Brolin, has been cast as Ronald Reagan in a four-hour CBS miniseries titled "The Reagans," set to air during the November sweeps period.

The network hasn't asked Streisand her opinion of the casting, "but we'll have to live with that," CBS Chairman Leslie Moonves joked Sunday in remarks to the Television Critics Association.

Brolin will play Reagan as he moves from his film career to California governor to president.

Australian actress Judy Davis will play Nancy Reagan.

Asked about Brolin's casting, Moonves said he is relying on the track record of veteran producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron ("Chicago," TV's "Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows.").

"It took us a minute to digest it," Moonves said, but "they were convinced that he was the right guy for it, and we back them."

Last September, Streisand headlined a Hollywood gala that raised about $6 million for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Streisand and Brolin have been married for five years.

Brolin - a steady presence on small and large screen for 40 years - roared into fame in 1969 as TV's Dr. Kiley on "Marcus Welby, M.D.," and kept the spotlight with "Hotel" and "Pensacola: Wings of Gold," which he also directed.

Brolin, who just turned 63 a few days ago, is also known for his former long-running gig as pitchman for AAMCO transmissions and for being the father of actor Josh Brolin.

The elder Brolin continues to appear in numerous feature films, including this year's Julia Stiles romantic comedy "A Guy Thing," and next year's "Cursed," the Wes Craven-directed tale about a serial killer bothered by howling sounds in the streets of L.A.