Meryl Streep: The Top Hollywood Actress of All Time

Widely recognized as America's greatest "living" actress, it is my contention that, in fact, Meryl Streep is the Top Hollywood Actress of All Time. Few actresses have exhibited the chameleon like quality that Streep uses on a regular basis to create some of movies' most mermorable heroines of all time. Whether attacking serious drama or prat-falling her way through ridiculous comedy, Streep - - given every role that she undertakes - - gives it her absolute all.

Born Mary Louis Streep on June 22, 1949, in Summit, New Jersey Meryl grew up in a somewhat shetered environment. She made her stage debut in a school Christmas production, singing the Christmas carol O Holy Night in perfect French, despite only having studied the language for a short period of time. Most of Meryl's fans are unaware that her first creative love was singing; not acting. She initially dreamed of becoming an operatic star for the Metropolitan Opera. She even went so far as to study with the renowned voice coach Estelle Liebling

In high school, however, Streep began to come out of her awkward, gawky teenage years, finding a sense of self-esteem and confidence acting on stage where she could literally become who ever or what ever she desired. With an iron will to excel at anything that she undertook, Streep was determined to be the best actress the school had ever seen. At age 15, in her part as the librarian in the school production of "The Music Man" she obviously achieved her goal; receiving a standing ovation.

Streep found that, through her acting, she felt liberated. Therefore, she continued to pursue acting, playing numerous parts in school plays. Oddly enough, her acting also made her more popular in school. With a new confidence and a keener sense of self-esteem, she became a cheerleader and eventually her school's Homecoming Queen.