Meryl Streep

Born June 22, 1949, in Summit, N.J., the exceptionally talented Meryl Streep can count homecoming queen among her credits, along with her place as one of the Academy Awards' most decorated actresses.

Known for her chameleonlike ability to master accents (most notably in 1982's Oscar-winning Sophie's Choice) and for her willingness to perform emotionally wrenching material (in 1980's Kramer vs. Kramer), Streep has amassed a phenomenal list of critical accolades and shows no sign of slowing down.

Besides brilliant work in Out of Africa, One True Thing, Adaptation and Doubt, Streep has added broad comedy to her repertoire -- and the results are as deft and entertaining as her serious roles, as evidenced by her Oscar nod for The Devil Wears Prada (2006). She enjoyed another stellar year in 2009 with a Golden Globe win and an Oscar nomination for Julie & Julia, in which she portrayed chef Julia Child.

Filmography