Widely admired as one of the greatest actresses of her generation, Meryl Streep has captivated audiences for nearly five decades.
Her profound skill and versatility have made her one of Hollywood’s highest-paid stars, and she holds an impressive record of 21 Oscar nominations and over 30 Golden Globe nods, winning eight.
However, her journey wasn’t always smooth. Early in her career, she faced harsh judgment regarding her appearance. Born and raised in New Jersey, Streep’s love for acting truly ignited in college.
By 1975, she joined New York’s theater scene, and after she saw *Taxi Driver* in 1977, she was inspired to pursue film. Her first audition led to a small role with Jane Fonda, and soon after, Robert De Niro, impressed by her theater work, offered her a part.
However, producer Dino De Laurentiis dismissed her as “ugly” in Italian at a *King Kong* audition, not realizing she understood. Calmly, she replied in Italian, “I’m sorry I’m not pretty enough to play in *King Kong*,” and left.
Streep would go on to transcend Hollywood’s superficial standards, proving her unmatched talent and resilience, ultimately becoming a true icon in the industry.