Meryl Streep is universally regarded as one of the greatest actors of her generation. Born Mary Louise Streep in 1949 in New Jersey, Streep showed an early talent for singing, though she eventually shifted her focus to drama during high school. After attending Vassar College, she pursued acting at the Yale School of Drama, earning a Master of Fine Arts in 1975. Streep soon made her way to New York City, taking to the stage for her Broadway debut in a production of Trelawny of the Wells alongside Mandy Patinkin and John Lithgow.

Her film career kicked off with a small role in Julia (1977), followed by a breakthrough performance in The Deer Hunter (1978). Streep’s role in the war drama was small, but her restrained and subtle expressiveness stood in stark, poignant contrast to the film’s Vietnam soldiers; the performance earned Streep her first Oscar nomination. That same year, she starred in the television miniseries Holocaust and won an Emmy Award for her performance. Her career soared following her breakout year: Streep has been nominated for an unprecedented 21 Academy Awards, winning three for Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), Sophie’s Choice (1982), and The Iron Lady (2011). Despite her fame, Streep has maintained a humble graciousness and lived a relatively quiet personal life. She has, however, used her public platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ causes, gender equality, and environmental sustainability.