Meryl Streep

Early in her career, Streep received a letter from Bette Davis, whom most critics and cinema historians ranks as the greatest American movie actress ever. Davis told Streep that she felt that she was her successor as the premier American actress. Davis, a double winner who was nominated 10 times for an Academy Award, all of them Best Actress nods, set the record for most acting nominations with her tenth in 1963 for What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? , a record later surpassed by Katharine Hepburn with her 11th nomination (and 3rd win) for The Lion in Winter . Hepburn extended her record with her 12th nomination (and fourth win) for On Golden Pond , a record ironically eclipsed by by Streep -- the actress anointed Davis' successor -- with her own 13th nod for Adaptation. though three of the nominations were for best supporting actress.

Early in her career, Streep received a letter from Bette Davis, whom most critics and cinema historians ranks as the greatest American movie actress ever. Davis told Streep that she felt that she was her successor as the premier American actress. Davis, a double winner who was nominated 10 times for an Academy Award, all of them Best Actress nods, set the record for most acting nominations with her tenth in 1963 for What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962), a record later surpassed by Katharine Hepburn with her 11th nomination (and 3rd win) for The Lion in Winter (1968). Hepburn extended her record with her 12th nomination (and fourth win) for On Golden Pond (1981).

The children's TV series "Sesame Street" has featured a character named "Meryl Sheep" in her honor.

The children's TV series "Sesame Street" (1969) has featured a character named "Meryl Sheep" in her honor.

Is one of only four thespians to be nominated for acting honors by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences over five decades - 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s. Along with Laurence Olivier (1930s-1970s), Paul Newman (1950s, 1960s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s) and Katherine Hepburn (1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1980s).

Graduated from Vassar College in 1971.

Tony Nominee in 1976 as Best Actress (Featured Role - Play) for Tennessee Williams' "27 Wagons Full of Cotton.".

Tony Nominee in 1976 as Best Actress (Featured Role - Play) for Tennessee Williams' "27 Wagons Full of Cotton.".

Listed as one of twelve "Promising New Actors of 1977" in John Willis' Screen World, Vol. 29.

Listed as one of 12 "Promising New Actors of 1977" in John Willis' Screen World, Vol. 29.

Is the second of 4 consecutive winners of the Best Supporting Actress Oscar to have the initials "M.S.". The others are: Maggie Smith - California Suite , Mary Steenburgen - Melvin and Howard , and Maureen Stapleton - Reds .

Is the second of 4 consecutive winners of the Best Supporting Actress Oscar to have the initials "M.S.". The others are: Maggie Smith - California Suite (1978), Mary Steenburgen - Melvin and Howard (1980), and Maureen Stapleton - Reds (1981).

Was romantically involved with and engaged to actor John Cazale for a total of 7 years, culminating with his death at age 42 in 1978 from bone cancer. She is very reluctant to discuss the relationship with anyone.

Landed the breakthrough role of Linda in The Deer Hunter (1978) after Robert De Niro had seen her playing Dunyasha in Anton Chekhov's "The Cherry Orchard" at Manhattan's Lincoln Center (1977). Streep had been playing opposite Irene Worth, Raul Julia and Mary Beth Hurt.

Has 4 children; Henry Gummer (aka Harry Gummer) (b. 1979), Mary Willa Gummer (aka Mamie Gummer) (b. 1983), Grace Jane Gummer (aka Grace Gummer) (b. 1986), and Louisa Jacobson Gummer (b. 12 June, 1991).

She left her just-claimed Oscar for Kramer vs. Kramer on the back of a toilet during the 1979 festivities.

She left her just-claimed Oscar for Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) on the back of a toilet during the 1979 festivities.

Has only been turned down for four roles: Michelle Straton in American Gigolo , Patsy Cline in Sweet Dreams , Miss Kenton in The Remains of the Day , and Elizabeth I in Elizabeth .

Tennessee Williams wanted her for a film version of "A Streetcar Named Desire" in the 1980s. When Streep proved unavailable, the project was refashioned for television and the role of Blanche given to Ann-Margret.

Tennessee Williams wanted her for a film version of "A Streetcar Named Desire" in the 1980s. When Streep proved unavailable, the project was refashioned for television and the role of Blanche given to Ann-Margret.

Has only been turned down for four roles: Michelle Straton in American Gigolo (1980), Patsy Cline in Sweet Dreams (1985), Miss Kenton in The Remains of the Day (1993), and Elizabeth I in Elizabeth (1998).

Her performance as "Sophie Zawistowska" in Sophie's Choice is ranked #3 on Premiere Magazine's 100 Greatest Performances of All Time .

Measurements: 34B-26-36 (from film SFX torso mold done in 1982) (source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine).

Her performance as "Sophie Zawistowska" in Sophie's Choice (1982) is ranked #3 on Premiere Magazine's 100 Greatest Performances of All Time (2006).

Was nominated for Best Actress in 1987 along with Cher. When Cher was announced, just before the cameras cut away from the other four actresses, Streep could be seen springing to her feet in delight and applauding for Cher. During her acceptance speech, Cher thanked Streep personally, as they had worked together on Cher's first film, Silkwood . As the camera briefly cut away to Streep sitting in the audience, she blew Cher a kiss.

Her performance as "Karen Silkwood" in Silkwood is ranked #71 on Premiere Magazine's 100 Greatest Performances of All Time .

Her character Karen Silkwood from her 1983 film Silkwood was ranked #47 on the American Film Institute Heroes list of the 100 years of The Greatest Screen Heroes and Villians.

Her performance as "Karen Silkwood" in Silkwood (1983) is ranked #71 on Premiere Magazine's 100 Greatest Performances of All Time (2006).

Was nominated for Best Actress in 1987 along with Cher. When Cher was announced, just before the cameras cut away from the other four actresses, Streep could be seen springing to her feet in delight and applauding for Cher. During her acceptance speech, Cher thanked Streep personally, as they had worked together on Cher's first film, Silkwood (1983). As the camera briefly cut away to Streep sitting in the audience, she blew Cher a kiss.

Her character Karen Silkwood from her 1983 film Silkwood (1983) was ranked #47 on the American Film Institute Heroes list of the 100 years of The Greatest Screen Heroes and Villians.

Occasionally mistaken for friend Glenn Close, Streep was pregnant with her fourth child while shopping in a Los Angeles baby store where the staff lavished her with huge amounts of baby paraphernalia. Just as she was about to leave they whispered, "We loved you in Fatal Attraction ".

Occasionally mistaken for friend Glenn Close, Streep was pregnant with her fourth child while shopping in a Los Angeles baby store where the staff lavished her with huge amounts of baby paraphernalia. Just as she was about to leave they whispered, "We loved you in Fatal Attraction (1987)".

Presented Paul McCartney with the 1990 Grammy Lifetime Achievement award. Attended The Beatles concert at Shea Stadium in 1965 with an "I love Paul" sign, which she mentioned when presenting the award to McCartney.

The longest she has gone without an Oscar nomination is five years, between Postcards from the Edge and The Bridges of Madison County .

Presented Paul McCartney with the 1990 Grammy Lifetime Achievement award. Attended The Beatles concert at Shea Stadium in 1965 with an "I love Paul" sign, which she mentioned when presenting the award to McCartney.

The longest she has gone without an Oscar nomination is five years, between Postcards from the Edge (1990) and The Bridges of Madison County (1995).

Considered for the role of Evita Peron in Evita .

Considered for the role of Evita Peron in Evita (1996).

Ranked #24 in Empire (UK) magazine's "The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time" list.

In October 1997, ranked #24 in Empire (UK) magazine's "The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time" list.

Replaced Madonna for the lead in Music of the Heart .

Learned to play the violin, by practicing 6 hours a day for 8 weeks, for her role in Music of the Heart .

Named Best Modern Actress in an Entertainment Weekly on-line poll, substantially beating out runner-up Michelle Pfeiffer.

Learned to play the violin, by practicing 6 hours a day for 8 weeks, for her role in Music of the Heart (1999).

Replaced Madonna for the lead in Music of the Heart (1999).

In September 1999, named Best Modern Actress in an Entertainment Weekly online poll, substantially beating out runner-up Michelle Pfeiffer.

Named an Officer of the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.

In 2000, named an Officer of the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.

Her father was a drug company exec; her mother, an artist-turned-housewife who kept an art studio behind the house. Her father loved to play the piano and her mother to sing. Meryl was given singing lessons at a young age. Her mother died in 2001 and her father in 2004.

Her son, Henry W. Gummer ("Hank"), is a student at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire.

In 2001, her son, Henry W. Gummer ("Hank") was a student at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire.

Was originally supposed to play the role of Iris Hineman is the film Minority Report , but had to back out. She was replaced by Lois Smith.

Was originally supposed to play the role of Iris Hineman is the film Minority Report (2002), but had to back out. She was replaced by Lois Smith.

Received an honorary Doctor of Arts degree from Middlebury College during her nephew's graduation in 2004.

May 27, 2004 was proclaimed "Meryl Streep Day" by Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields.

Mentioned by first name only (with two-time co-star Jack Nicholson) in Michael Crichton's 2004 novel "State of Fear.".

Mentioned by first name only (with two-time co-star Jack Nicholson) in Michael Crichton's 2004 novel "State of Fear.".

May 27, 2004 was proclaimed "Meryl Streep Day" by Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields. [May 2004]

Received an honorary Doctor of Arts degree from Middlebury College during her nephew's graduation in 2004.

Premiere Magazine ranked her as #46 on a list of the Greatest Movie Stars of All Time in their Stars in Our Constellation feature .

Premiere Magazine ranked her as #46 on a list of the Greatest Movie Stars of All Time in their Stars in Our Constellation feature (2005).

Drives a Toyota Prius (September 2006).

Sold her New York City townhouse for $9.1 million in February 2006. She was forced to slash the asking price for the eight-bedroom Manhattan property from $12 million to secure a sale. Streep bought the house for $2.2 million in 1995, according to the New York Post.

Donated her wardrobe from The Devil Wears Prada to a charity auction.

Donated her wardrobe from The Devil Wears Prada (2006) to a charity auction.

Kept the sunglasses she wore in The Devil Wears Prada (2006) and used them again during the "Money Money Money" sequence in Mamma Mia! (2008).

2007 - Ranked #6 on EW's The 50 Smartest People in Hollywood.

She and her daughter Mamie Gummer portrayed the same role at different ages in 'Evening' .

Nominated for a 2007 Drama Desk Award for her performance in "Mother Courage and Her Children" (Outstanding Actress in a Play).

Elected to the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2007 for her services to arts and entertainment (inaugural election). Official induction ceremonies held in May 2008.

Nominated for a 2007 Drama Desk Award for her performance in "Mother Courage and Her Children" (Outstanding Actress in a Play).

She and her daughter Mamie Gummer portrayed the same role at different ages in Evening (2007).

In 2007, she ranked #6 on Entertainment Weekly's 'The 50 Smartest People in Hollywood'.

Nominated for a 2008 Grammy Award for "The One and Only Shrek" (Best Spoken Word Album For Children).

Nominated for a 2008 Grammy Award for "The One and Only Shrek" (Best Spoken Word Album For Children).

She was ranked #87 in 'Ellen Degeneres''s s most sexy movie actors list. .

She was awarded honorary Princeton degree in June 2009.

She gained as much as 15 pounds while filming the Julie & Julia movie.

She was ranked #87 on Ellen DeGeneres' most sexy movie actors list. (2009).

She gained as much as 15 pounds while filming the Julie & Julia (2009) movie.

Through the television series "Faces of America with Henry Louis Gates Jr." , she learned that she is a distant relative of director Mike Nichols.

Through the television series "Faces of America with Henry Louis Gates Jr." (2010), she learned that she is a distant relative of director Mike Nichols.

She was awarded the 2010 National Medal of the Arts for her services to drama.

She presented leadership award to ex-Colombian hostage Ingrid Betancourt on March 2010.

Recipient of the 2011 Kennedy Center Honors, along with Barbara Cook, Neil Diamond, Yo-Yo Ma, and Sonny Rollins.

As of 2012 she is still the most Oscar-nominated actress with 17 nominations.