Feature …
MERYL STREEP AT The greatest living actress of our time is a grandma.
I
n January this year, in New
(We know that she’s signed up to
1978, and they have four children
York, the day after the Golden
play Aunt March in Little Women
(all grown up now).
Globes, Meryl Streep met with
later this year, directed by Greta
Her first grandchild has arrived
the 82-year-old British Actress
Gerwig and co-starring the likes
just in time for another milestone
Glenda Jackson – who is playing
of Emma Watson, Saoirse Ronan
awaiting Meryl, whose real name
King Lear on Broadway – for an
and Timothée Chalamet, among
is Mary Louise. (Apparently, her
interview with Interview magazine.
others.) For the moment, she said,
father used to shorten Mary Louise
It was more like a conversation,
she was taking a rest.
to Meryl, and it stuck.) On 22 June,
really – two giantesses of stage
“I’ve been working like mad for
she will celebrate her 70th birthday.
and screen talking stagecraft
quite a while, so I’m getting ready
As she nears this landmark in
and politics and life in general.
for my first grandchild,” she said.
life, it’s worth reflecting on what
Jackson casually asked Streep
“My daughter’s having a baby in
lies behind Streep’s tremendous
if she was working on anything.
February, so I’m going to go out
success. Because, as anyone will
and ruin her life. I specialise in
tell you, she holds the record
unsolicited advice.”
for the most Golden Globe and
“
I’ve been working like mad for quite a while, so I’m getting ready for my first grandchild
” 28
SILVER DIGEST // AUTUMN 2019
Despite being one of the most
Oscar nominations, ever. She has
famous figures in film, Streep
been nominated for 21 Academy
has managed to keep her private
Awards and 31 Golden Globes.
life largely just that: private. So,
She has won three Oscars (for
while she dropped this detail in
Kramer vs. Kramer, Sophie’s Choice
conversation with an old friend, at
and The Iron Lady) and eight Golden
the time of going to press nothing
Globes (which, as some wag once
further about her grandchild
pointed out, not only makes her
was known except that her eldest
Hollywood’s biggest winner, but
daughter, Mamie, gave birth to a
also its biggest loser). There’s
health boy in late February. So, to
another one in the family, too: her
add to her accolades, Streep is now
children once gave their father a
a grandmother. Streep herself has
fake honorary Oscar.
been married to the same man – sculptor Don Gummer – since
Continued …
Right Meryl Streep at the 82nd Academy Awards, 26 February 2012.
