Meryl Streep, 72, Defies Time – See How She Looks Almost the Same After Decades in Hollywood

Meryl Streep has spent decades at the top of Hollywood, earning a reputation as one of the greatest actresses of all time. She has won countless awards and honors for her work, showing a remarkable ability to transform into every character she plays.

Her career has been recognized by some of the biggest names in film and government. In 2004, the American Film Institute gave her their Life Achievement Award. Seven years later, she received the Kennedy Center Honors, with actors like Kevin Kline, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, and Anne Hathaway celebrating her contributions. The event ended with a performance of “She’s My Pal” by the entire cast, a playful nod to the movie Ironweed.

In 2014, Streep received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama. The citation called her “one of the most widely known and acclaimed actors in history” and praised her talent for portraying characters that connect with audiences around the world.

At the 2017 Golden Globes, Viola Davis presented Streep with the Cecil B. DeMille Award and said, “You make me proud to be an artist.” Streep responded by quoting Carrie Fisher: “Take your broken heart and make it into art.”

Meryl Streep Evolution pic.twitter.com/ANsZe0gSFc

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Streep’s rise to fame began in the late 1970s and early 1980s. She became known for taking on challenging roles, including women who were complicated and sometimes hard to understand. She is famous for her ability to master accents, from Danish in Out of Africa to a Bronx accent in Doubt. Streep has said simply, “I listen,” showing how carefully she studies each character.

Directors and co-stars have often praised her dedication. Mike Nichols, who directed her in films like Silkwood and Angels in America, said, “In every role, she becomes a totally new human being. As she becomes the person she is portraying, the other performers begin to react to her as if she were that person.”

Over the years, Streep has also used her voice for causes she believes in. She spoke at the 2016 Democratic National Convention in support of Hillary Clinton and criticized then-President-elect Donald Trump at the 2017 Golden Globes for mocking a disabled reporter. She has also worked to improve conditions for actors, signing a letter in 2023 demanding protections against misuse of artificial intelligence in the industry.

Outside of work, Streep has had a personal life marked by both love and loss. She cared for her partner John Cazale before his death in 1978 and later married sculptor Don Gummer, with whom she has four children. She is also close friends with the late Carrie Fisher and is godmother to Fisher’s daughter Billie Lourd.

Her long career includes major films like Kramer vs. Kramer, Sophie’s Choice, The Devil Wears Prada, and Little Women, as well as television projects such as Holocaust and Angels in America. She has also performed on stage in plays like 27 Wagons Full of Cotton and The Cherry Orchard.

Meryl Streep has shown remarkable versatility and dedication throughout her career. She continues to inspire audiences and fellow actors alike. She once said about acting, “Pretending is not just play. Pretending is imagined possibility. Pretending or acting is a very valuable life skill, and we all do it. All the time.”

Meryl Streep’s career is a rare example of talent meeting persistence. Few actors have maintained such a long, impactful presence in Hollywood while still earning respect and admiration across generations. What do you think about her legacy? Share your thoughts in the comments.