There are great actors, there are legends, and then there is Meryl Streep. For decades, she has been considered one of the greatest actresses not only in Hollywood, but in the entire world. Her name is recognized across generations and countries, and her work has influenced actors, filmmakers, and audiences everywhere. What makes her story even more impressive is that her reputation is not built only on talent, but also on professionalism, humility, and an incredibly grounded perspective on fame and success.
Part of what makes Meryl Streep so extraordinary is the number of awards and nominations she has received throughout her career. She holds the record for the most Academy Award nominations in acting history and has won multiple Oscars, Golden Globes, and countless other awards. But what’s most interesting about her is that she never seemed obsessed with fame itself. In interviews over the years, she often spoke about the importance of balancing her career with her family life and raising her children away from the spotlight. For her, remembering that acting is just a job, not a definition of who she is, has always been crucial.
Many people consider Meryl Streep the best actress of her generation because of her versatility and the emotional depth she brings to every role. She can play drama, comedy, musicals, historical figures, and complex characters with the same level of excellence. Younger actors constantly mention her as their biggest inspiration, not only because of her talent, but also because of her work ethic and the way she has handled success over time. Her career is not just a list of great movies, but an example of how to build a long, respected career while staying true to yourself, your family, and your values.
1. “The great gift of human beings is that we have the power of empathy, we can all sense a mysterious connection to each other.”
2. “Acting is not about being someone different. It’s finding the similarity in what is apparently different, then finding myself in there.”
3. “I have a theory that movies operate on the level of dreams, where you dream yourself.”
4. “I think the best role models for women are people who are fruitfully and confidently themselves, who bring light into the world.”
5. “I’m curious about other people. That’s the essence of my acting. I’m interested in what it would be like to be you.”
Trending on The Scroller
6. “All that attention to the perfect lighting, the perfect this, the perfect that, I find terribly annoying.”
7. “I try to lead as ordinary a life as I can. You can’t get spoiled if you do your own ironing.”
8. “Listening is everything. Listening is the whole deal. That’s what I think. And I mean that in terms of before you work, after you work, in between work (…) It’s everything. And it’s where you learn everything.”
Sign up for our newsletter
9. “The formula of happiness and success is just being actually yourself, in the most vivid possible way you can.”
10. “Some people are filled by compassion and a desire to do good, and some simply don’t think anything’s going to make a difference.”
11. “I want to feel my life while I’m in it.”
12. “Service is the only thing that’s important about love. Everybody is worried about ‘losing yourself’ – all this narcissism. Duty. We can’t stand that idea now either… But duty might be a suit of armor you put on to fight for your love.”
13. “Integrate what you believe in every single area of your life. Take your heart to work and ask the most and best of everybody else, too.”
14. “You just have to keep on doing what you do. (…) Keep going. Start by starting.”
15.“I think your self emerges more clearly over time.”
If you enjoy reading about iconic stars like Meryl Streep, make sure to explore more of our celebrity quotes and stories:
We love sharing insights, quotes, and inspiring moments from some of the most talented and influential people in the entertainment industry. Meryl Streep is widely considered the most incredible actress of her generation, and not only because of her undeniable talent. New generations of actors constantly name her as their idol and inspiration because of the way she has carried herself in one of the most narcissistic and fame-driven industries in the world. She managed to build a legendary career while staying humble, prioritizing her family, and being honest about the reality of fame, success, and hard work.
If you’re interested, we also have more content featuring quotes from incredible stars like Meryl Streep, along with celebrity stories, and behind-the-scenes facts you might enjoy reading next: 15 Madonna Quotes That Prove She Was Ahead of Her Time, 20 Behind-the-Scenes Photos from Classic Hollywood Films, and 19 Films That Launched Celebrity Careers in the ‘70s.
