Meryl Streep

Meryl has a fear of helicopters.

Meryl is known for her ability to master a wide variety of accents, portraying non-fictional characters, and being a perfectionist when it comes to her roles.

Meryl is 5' 6" (1.68 m) tall.

Meryl, whose musical blockbuster Mamma Mia (released July 2008) earned $603 million at the box office, ranked #64 on Forbes' 2009 The Celebrity 100. This annual ranking of the world's most powerful–-and best-paid--celebrities is a measure of show business-related earnings (based on a before-taxes estimate of earnings accumulated during a June 2008 to June 2009 calendar) and media exposure. Ms. Streep's 2009 specified income totaled $24 million.

In the 1979 film Kramer vs. Kramer, there was a courtroom scene where Meryl's character had to give a speech about why she was fighting for custody of her son. Meryl felt that the originally scripted speech didn't allow anyone to understand, sympathize with, or relate to her character, so she had permission from the director to re-write it herself.

Meryl was originally cast to play Dustin Hoffman's one-night stand in the 1979 film Kramer vs. Kramer. An actress named Kate Jackson was chosen to portray the ex-wife Joanne, but when she had to back out at the last minute, Meryl took over the role.

In 2001, Meryl took her youngest daughter Louisa and a group of her friends to the Mamma Mia stage production, to celebrate Louisa's 10th birthday. It was shortly after the September 11 attacks, and although the kids' spirits were low at first, they really got into the show once it started. Afterwards, Meryl wrote a letter to the people involved in the production, letting them know how much she enjoyed it. She was approached several years later to play the lead role of Donna in the 2008 film version.

Seven men were required to help Meryl into her white spandex jumpsuit she wore in Mamma Mia as the suit was so tight.

Meryl forgot her Oscar trophy and left it on a toilet seat during her celebrations in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion bathroom after her win for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Kramer vs. Kramer in 1980.

Meryl won the Hasty Pudding Theatricals award for Woman of the Year in 1980.

Meryl learned to play the violin in preparation for her role in the 1999 film Music of the Heart.

Meryl has presented both Peter O'Toole, in 2003, and Robert Altman, in 2005, their Honorary Academy Awards.

Meryl appeared on the cover of Vanity Fair's April 2001 issue.

Meryl presented Paul McCartney his Lifetime Achievement Award at the 1990 Grammy Awards.

Meryl named her favourite actresses working today as: Cate Blanchett, Emily Blunt, Dame Helen Mirren and Nicole Kidman.

At the 1986 Oscar's ceremony Meryl was considered the lock-favourite to win the Best Actress gong for Out of Africa. However it was Geraldine Page, an eight-time nominee, who eventually won and it was Meryl who led the standing ovation Geraldine received.

In January 2007, Meryl was voted the world's third sexiest older woman. The poll was to find the sexiest female stars who have passed 50-years-old.

Meryl was not present at the 1990 Academy Awards ceremony where she was nominated for an award for Best Actress.

Meryl was placed in the No.10 position on ex-fashion designer, Mr Blackwell's, 47th annual report of the worst-dressed women of 2006.

Meryl was considered for the role of Evita Peron in the film Evita, a role which eventually went to the singer Madonna.

Meryl voiced the Blue Mecha character in the Steven Spielberg film, A.I..

Meryl has a star on the Hollwood Walk of Fame, in honour of her contribution to motion pictures, at 7018 Hollywood Blvd.

In preparation for her role as Sophie in the movie, Sophie's Choice, Meryl learned how to speak German fluently, as well as learning a Polish accent. In 2006, Meryl's performance as Sophie was ranked No.3 on Premiere Magazine's "100 Greatest Performances of All Time".

Meryl's character, "Karen Silkwood" from her 1983 film Silkwood, was ranked No.47 on the American Film Institute's list of "Heroes of the 100 years of The Greatest Screen Heroes and Villains".

The children's TV series Sesame Street has featured a character named "Meryl Sheep", in her honor.

With a total of twenty-three Golden Globe nominations, Meryl is the most nominated Golden Globe performer.

Meryl is a supporter of the US Democratic Party.

Meryl co-hosted the annual Nobel Peace Prize Concert with Liam Neeson in Oslo, Norway in 2001. The winner of the prize was United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

With a total of fourteen nominations, Meryl is the most nominated actor or actress ever for an Academy Award.

Meryl was ranked No.24 in Empire magazine's list of "The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time" in October 1997.

Meryl has a Masters degree in Drama from Yale University, in 1975.

Meryl has appeared in over 30 productions with the Yale Repertory Theatre.

She studied drama and English at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New Hampshire.

In high school she was both a cheerleader and a Homecoming Queen.

When she was young Meryl dreamed of becoming an opera star.