Meryl Streep, the Hollywood legend known for her remarkable versatility, continues to defy expectations despite once believing her career might slow down after turning 60 in 2009. This article explores notable Meryl Streep career facts that reveal lesser-known details about her life, education, and iconic film roles, illustrating why she remains a dominant figure in the entertainment world.
The Origin of Meryl Streep’s Name
Meryl Streep was actually born Mary Louise Streep, a name passed down from her mother and grandmother, both named Mary, with the middle name Louise honoring her mother’s close friend, Louise Buckman. Her father created the nickname “Meryl” by blending her first and middle names. Interestingly, Streep’s character in the series Big Little Lies shares this full name, Mary Louise, linking her personal history to her work.
Trademarking Her Name for Exclusive Rights
To protect her professional identity, Meryl Streep filed an application with the United States Trademark Office to secure exclusive rights to use her name within the entertainment sector. This trademark specifically covers live, televised, and movie appearances, speaking engagements, and autograph signings, rather than merchandise production, which is commonly addressed in celebrity trademarks. This legal move ensures her name’s controlled use and preserves her brand’s integrity.
Academic Achievements at Prestigious Institutions
Meryl Streep holds impressive academic credentials, including a Bachelor of Arts earned in 1969 from Vassar College, followed by a Master of Fine Arts from Dartmouth College in 1975. Dartmouth further honored her with an honorary Doctor of Arts degree in 1981. Beyond these institutions, she has received honorary degrees from other Ivy League universities such as Princeton and Harvard, underscoring her standing in both academic and artistic fields.
Musical Training and Grammy Recognition
Before focusing on her acting career, Streep trained as an opera singer under Estelle Liebling. Though she found opera uninspiring and shifted her interests, even becoming a cheerleader, this foundational training enriched her performances in musical films like Into the Woods (2012) and both installments of Mamma Mia (2008, 2018). This versatility earned her seven Grammy Award nominations, including for her spoken word rendition of Charlotte’s Web in 2020 and contributions to musical soundtracks.
Unmatched Academy Award Nominations and Wins
Meryl Streep holds the record for the most Academy Award nominations of any actor or actress, receiving 21 nods throughout her career. She has won three Oscars: Best Supporting Actress for Kramer vs. Kramer, and Best Actress for both Sophie’s Choice and The Iron Lady. Seventeen of her nominations were for Best Actress, and four were for Best Supporting Actress, placing her well ahead of notable figures like Katharine Hepburn and Jack Nicholson, each with 12 nominations. Streep is among an elite group of six actors to have won three or more Oscars, sharing this distinction with performers such as Daniel Day-Lewis and Ingrid Bergman.
Philanthropy: Donating Her The Iron Lady Earnings
For her role as Margaret Thatcher in the 2011 film The Iron Lady, which earned her the third Oscar win, Streep was paid $1 million. Demonstrating her commitment to social causes, she donated the entire salary to help establish the Women’s History Museum at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. As she explained during an appearance on Ellen DeGeneres’ show,
women’s history needs to be taught.
— Meryl Streep, Actress
Personal Challenges: Eviction and a Life-Changing Relationship
During her early career, Streep was engaged to actor John Cazale, who is known for his role as Fredo in The Godfather. They performed together in 1976 in Measure for Measure at New York’s Shakespeare in the Park. When Cazale was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in 1978, Streep supported him until his passing that March. Due to substantial medical expenses, she was evicted from their shared apartment. Her brother Harry, while helping her relocate, brought along his friend Don Gummer, who allowed her to sublet his room during an extended trip to Pakistan. This connection eventually led to their marriage in September 1978, though the couple separated in 2017.
Charitable Contributions from Iconic Film Costumes
Streep’s portrayal of Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada remains one of her most recognizable roles, with a costume budget exceeding one million dollars. Many couture designers loaned clothes and accessories to the production, enhancing the film’s glamorous portrayal of fashion. Instead of keeping these designer pieces, Streep generously donated her wardrobe to a charity auction, partially benefiting Dress for Success, an organization dedicated to assisting low-income women in preparing for career advancement. Notably, she retained the sunglasses she wore in the film, which later appeared in the Money Money Money scene in Mamma Mia, connecting two very different roles through a single accessory.
Rare Rejections Amidst a Stellar Career
Remarkably, Meryl Streep has only been rejected for roles four times over her long career. One notable rejection came in 1976 during auditions for the lead in Dino De Laurentiis’ remake of King Kong. According to the story, De Laurentiis dismissed her candidacy with a sarcastic remark in Italian, to which Streep responded candidly,
I’m very sorry that I’m not as beautiful as I should be, but, you know — this is it. This is what you get.
— Meryl Streep, Actress. The role ultimately went to Jessica Lange, but this incident highlights Streep’s candid confidence.
Misplacing Her First Oscar Trophy
After winning her first Oscar in 1979 for Kramer vs. Kramer, Streep mistakenly left the trophy in the ladies’ room due to a mix of excitement and nerves. Fortunately, someone noticed and called out,
Hey someone left their Oscar in here!
— Someone at the ceremony. This anecdote reveals a relatable human moment behind the glamour of Hollywood’s biggest night.
Mamma Mia: Streep’s Biggest Box Office Triumph
Despite her reputation for serious roles, Streep’s highest-earning film is the romantic comedy Mamma Mia (2008). Initially, her agent assumed she would decline the role of Donna, but Streep’s enthusiasm won out. She insisted her agent simply say yes! The film grossed an estimated $615.7 million worldwide, solidifying it as a financial milestone in her career as well as broadening her appeal to new audiences.
