Meryl Streep is an acclaimed American actress known for her exceptional versatility, mastery of accents, and deeply expressive performances. Born Mary Louise Streep on June 22, 1949, in Summit, New Jersey, she began her career on the New York stage in the late 1960s, graduating from Vassar College and the Yale Drama School. She made her Broadway debut in 1975 and transitioned to film in the late 1970s, gaining widespread recognition with her role in *The Deer Hunter* (1978) and winning an Emmy for the TV miniseries *Holocaust* the same year[2][3]. Streep holds the record for the most Academy Award nominations of any actor, with 21 nods spanning from 1978 to recent years. She has won three Oscars: Best Supporting Actress for *Kramer vs. Kramer* (1980), and Best Actress for *Sophie’s Choice* (1983) and *The Iron Lady* (2012)[1][3]. Her career spans a wide range of genres including drama, comedy, and musicals, with notable roles in *The French Lieutenant’s Woman* (1981), *Silkwood* (1983), *Out of Africa* (1985), and *August: Osage County* (2013)[2][4]. She is often recognized for portraying complex real-life figures such as Julia Child, Margaret Thatcher, and Lindy Chamberlain[6]. Streep has received numerous awards beyond the Oscars, including nine Golden Globes—holding the record for most wins by an actor—two BAFTAs, four Emmys, and multiple Screen Actors Guild Awards. She has also been honored with lifetime achievement awards from the American Film Institute, the Kennedy Center, and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2014[1][5]. Currently, Meryl Streep remains a prominent figure in film and television, continuing to receive critical acclaim and nominations for her work. She is also noted for her influence on acting and her dedication to her craft over a career exceeding five decades[1][3].