Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep is an iconic and highly acclaimed American actress known for her multidimensional roles and stellar performances. She has been referred to as the "best actress of her generation". She is one of the most honored actors in history, having won three Academy Awards, eight Golden Globe Awards, two Emmy Awards, and an Honorary Academy Award, among other awards and accolades.

Streep was born Mary Louise Streep in 1949 in Summit, New Jersey. She was raised in an affluent family and was encouraged by her parents to pursue her artistic interests. She attended Vassar College and Yale University, graduating with a degree in drama in 1975. After college, she moved to New York City and began her career on the stage, appearing in several Broadway productions.

Streep made her feature film debut in 1979 with the Holocaust drama The Deer Hunter. She received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her performance. This was followed by a number of acclaimed roles, including her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady, which earned her a record-setting 17th Academy Award nomination and ultimately an Academy Award for Best Actress. 

Streep has starred in a wide range of films, from romantic comedies such as It's Complicated to historical dramas such as The French Lieutenant's Woman to musicals such as Mamma Mia! Her versatile performances have earned her critical acclaim, and she is considered one of the greatest actors of all time.

Streep has also been a vocal advocate for women’s rights and gender equality and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. She has also devoted time to philanthropic causes, including the American Indian College Fund and the International Rescue Committee.

Streep has also been involved in various humanitarian efforts, including taking part in a star-studded benefit concert to raise money for victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake, joining a protest against the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline, and participating in a PSA for the UN's HeForShe campaign on gender equality. She has also been outspoken on issues of racial justice, speaking out against systemic racism and calling for reform in the criminal justice system.

Streep is also an avid reader and has co-authored a number of books, including a collection of short stories called The Book of Grace and a children's book called The House That Jack Built. 

In addition to her acting and humanitarian work, Streep has also been a vocal advocate for the arts, founding the New York Women in Film and Television organization and serving as a board member of the American Film Institute. She has also been an advocate for women in the film industry, working to promote gender equality in Hollywood.