Meryl Streeptimeless queen of grace and talent, turns 75. Best living actress, holds the record number of Oscar nominations (21) triumphing three times (For Kramer vs. Kramer in 1979, Sophie’s Choice in 1982 and for The Iron Lady in 2011). Along with Ingrid Bergman and Frances McDormand, she is the second woman with the most statuettes won at the Academy Awardspreceded only by Katharine Hepburn (at four).
Daughter of a pharmaceutical executive and an artist, the Hollywood lady was born into a middle-class family in Summit, New Jersey, on June 22, 1949, before moving to Bernardsville where he spent his adolescence. In 1971, he receives the Bachelor of Arts cum laude in drama at Vassar College and, four years later, the Master of Fine Arts at Yale University. She made her debut first on Broadway and then, in 1977, on the big screen for Fred Zinnemann who wanted her in the feminist melody, Giulia.
In 2023, the movie queen divorced her husband, the sculptor Don Gummer, after 45 years together. The two have four children: Henry Wolfe, musician, Mamie Gummer, Grace And Louisa Jacobson, all actresses. The diva has been spotted several times in the company of Martin Short: his colleague in the popular series Only Murders in the Building. The 73-year-old actor, for his part, was widowed after the death of his beloved wife, Nancy Dolman, in 2010. The two stars, however, deny having a romantic relationship and declare that they are just good friends. Today, we want to celebrate the fabulous 75 years of the legendary Meryl with 10 curiosities: from her real name to the time she took her revenge on Madonna.
Her real name is not Meryl
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The name Meryl was her father’s invention. Born Mary Louise Streep, the actress took her first name from that of her mother and grandmother, both of whom were named Mary. Her middle name comes from that of her mother’s best friend, Louise Buckman.
Failed soprano
The actress inherits a beautiful soprano voice from her mother. After singing in a school recital at age 12, Meryl began taking opera lessons from the famous teacher, Estelle Liebling. She stopped after four years, later admitting that she was «singing something I didn’t hear or understand.”
Don’t Cry for Me Madonna
In 1996, Alan Parker wanted Madonna instead of her for the role of icon and former first lady of Argentina in the famous musical Avoid. Three years later, Meryl had her revenge on the Queen of Pop when Wes Craven preferred her to Miss Ciccone for the film The music of the heart. Because her role required her to play the violin, Streep spent two months practicing five to six hours a day.
The most popular girl in high school
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