Meryl Streep (born June 22, 1949) is an actress, who by the mid 1980s, was regarded by many as the best actress of her day.
Born Mary Louise Streep in Summit, New Jersey, USA, she appeared in her first film, Julia, in 1977. She has won Academy Awards for her roles in Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) and Sophie's Choice (1982). She has been nominated thirteen times, a record, most recently for Adaptation in 2003.
She has a reputation for careful preparation and research for her roles, and also for a knack with accents.
In Paris, France, in 2003, Ms. Streep received an honorary Cesar Award for Lifetime Achievement in the film industry.