Meryl Streep Reveals Why She Became an Actress

In this rarely seen interview with Meryl Streep she shares her early fear that being an actor was not doing something worthwhile.

[@SunnyyScott]

Scared to audition. Now she’s the best actress of all time!

[@SuperSmile2004]

At that time she would have been just PERFECT to play princess Diana!

[@jadewong5680]

you are right on!!!!

[@AlphaHlafdige]

Exactly my thoughts as I was watching this :)

[@nspector]

Wow, yeah, I was just going to say that. It's striking, isn't it.

[@seekingjesus2181]

What!!!! She is satanic, illuminate piece of filth WISE UP

[@padebro]

The thought hadn't occured to me but you are so right. If anyone could have respectfully portrayed Princess Diana trying to navigate the world of royalty marriage betrayal and scandal it would have been Meryl. Even when a person's (character's) flaws are brought to the screen Meryl has a way of exposing the complexity vulnerability and choices that led to their most tragic moments. If a movie were made exploring the What If she hadn't died, Meryl would breathe believability into the older Diana leaving no doubt that indeed that is who and how she would have grown to become.

[@LoveFlatfootin1]

I think a lot of her success has to do with intelligence. She seems like a very smart and gifted woman.

[@superlex611]

she is a genuine woman, she is a legitmitate icon' nobody can touch her

[@Yobbie72]

I think that's true. To be a good actor you have to be highly intelligent.

[@jamesrroyse]

you are correct. she is very very intelligent is why.

[@cody4556]

LoveFlatfootin1 your right

[@padebro]

My opinion of Meryl Streep the actress is she goes beyond portraying a character and completely, for that time, becomes the person. Her research into ficticious and real characters is astounding right down to learning languages accents and class related dialects. Truly a classic Hollywood Star of our times.

[@Gam3r5t93]

She has the most gentle voice. Simply listening to her is absolutely mesmerizing. She has such a way with tone and words.

[@ajs41]

It's the poshest American accent I've ever heard.

[@MspedzRN]

God I love this woman and yes thank God she found Don.

[@JohnJohn-fc3qq]

It's beautiful how she talks and feels about acting..she felt like it changed her in a good way and i admire her about that..i feel like that about acting and films which i adore i know this thing wont happen to me but at least meryl streep or many good actors are fortunate enough to show their talent..

[@jeweljewel5104]

this made me cry I want to become an actress and this is making me tear the song is. .sad

[@amandagarcia8348]

You will be a good actress if you work to the top

[@leecarrizales4]

Possibly the best actress of all time!!

[@jamesrroyse]

I lover her smile. very beautiful woman

[@jamesrroyse]

she has the best smile in the world for me

[@penelopest7317]

anastacia angeles yeahhhh👍😊

[@sharishmoniqueesteban3169]

Meryl is very talented, she deserves everything she has now.

[@donseagrave]

meryl streep isn't even her real name...she sucks

[@FinleyHarrison-hy2sm]

Her name is Mary Louise Streep so close and Meryl is what her dad called her so it is sweet. Lots of hollywood didn't use real names back in the day do they all suck too.@@donseagrave

[@sarahlewis7948]

She is my favorite actress, not only a great actress but a great person!

[@mattd501]

This is exquisite, I have watched many of your videos and interviews Reba and this is one of the best. Getting to listen to Meryl's amazing voice while quickly spanning her acting career is such a treat. Thank you

[@RebamerrillHollywood]

This interview happened as I failed to get the original on set one as Meryl had wet hair and no make up and was not told this was for the EPK on video. She gave me an hour and we both had fun.

[@mattd501]

Reba Merrill I'm glad you got it, it is one of my favorites

[@fionajackson6036]

She is my definition of magic

[@EllieGraceHull]

She is a legend, she has inspired me so so much! I hope and I pray maybe one day that I can be like her and I can inspire little girls like me to dream big and keep pushing on and keep believing because one day your dreams will come true! 🙏🏼✨❤️

[@grapiken7766]

I think she's astounding in Sophie's Choice. She seems to feel it, not just act it, so it must have been a tough film to make. I wonder if it took a lot out of her.

[@katiezee2]

I was imagining that during filming, when she went home at night, she wept.. because the immersion into Sophie was so intense

[@RebamerrillHollywood]

Believe it or not every film takes a lot out of her as she becomes one with her character.

[@gizzycatcat6468]

She is just a person like we all are.

[@padebro]

Yes, when speaking in terms of basic human qualities she is of course like the rest of us. When discussing her work is where she is very much different. Admiring her abilities as an actress is the same as admiring anyone who stands out in their line of work. It doesn't mean that as a person they are better than anyone but it does mean they are standouts in their choosen field. The same is true of any artist, sports player, scientist and yes the employee at your local store who provides superior service that makes you glad to have met them.

[@schuberc70]

she is the first one never to pretend to be anything else but just that. A human being. She is humble. She managed to grow older without all that crap of those narzistische Borderliner who aim for the stage simply for fame and fortune. Ich liebe sie.

[@oblivion2967]

Thank you for this video! It's one of my favorites.

[@angelacarleton9575]

This is a woman with "GRACE" and not at all stuck on herself like others.

[@MsArrika]

i once asked someone why anyone would want to be an actor, the first answer they quickly came up with was money. this shocked me and my own shock was also surprising to me because I guess to anyone who doesn't really have passion for it would say that and that didnt really occur to me before so I like watching people like Meryl who really have love for the craft talk about the "why's".

[@NuisanceMan]

The money of getting to be in an TV ad every few months while waiting tables?

[@aislynn2005]

I want to become an actress because I can't imagine myself being actually happy doing anything else. All I've wanted for a future career is to be an actress, and I'm so passionate and love it so much, and I want to do everything I can to become one. I know how hard it'd be and it's not likely I will become successful, but it's all I've ever wanted. It's a dream that I hope I can make my reality. I'll work as hard as I need to.

[@Ena-qy3ik]

lol if someone is doing it for money they don’t last very long in a life long career like acting.

[@fadi1466]

That scene where she's yelling at Jon Voight feels so right today.

[@jeannedark8886]

She hast the best personality in the world!!!!!!!!!

[@jamesrroyse]

+Jeanne Dark Good observation there. You are absolutely correct

[@RebamerrillHollywood]

A hotel room not as important as Meryl's words. Listen and be surprised with her candor.

[@roa6311]

MERYL I LOVE YOU SO MUCH💕💕💕💕💕💞💞💞💞💞💖💖💖💖💖👍👍👍👍👍

[@s.f.694]

She's so beautiful and unique

[@btetschner]

Thank you for the video.

[@bellaf7774]

She is everything 😩❤

[@littlemochef]

What an amazing interview.

[@Yobbie72]

thank you.

[@katcabula]

Great ending. Wonderful video.

[@christya2488]

It's so funny to hear her talk about not liking auditions. I just can't imagine a time when Meryl Streep would have had to audition for anything.

[@MsFreespirit66]

DIVINE!!!!

[@RebamerrillHollywood]

I worked on Out of Africa but not in Africa as I only did the research and wrote the questions and the TV crew on set did the rest. This interview is from Ironweed, the film she did with Jack Nicholson

[@gizzycatcat6468]

I didn't see Ironweed. But I did see her as just a person like we all are.

[@rodrigoraulsuarez]

She is amazing.

[@carrieheffernan1685]

I love her earrings. They are kind of hypnotic.

[@savedfaves]

She looks great here, if I'm allowed to mention this.

[@AnnLippert1]

The Deerhunter is one of my favorite films. She is amazing. always is.

[@Psych_spirit]

She is beautiful & so intelligent.

[@irenequidachay3609]

Hands down my favorite American actress right next to Betty Davis!

[@abelalieljaouahiry560]

so beautiful

[@Mohit-gg2vd]

such a precious interview. Can someone help with the captions in english ? as some words are difficult to comprehend....thanks

[@mitchellmatthews3962]

I still believe that her not getting the Academy Award for Silkwood is astounding. That was not Meryl, that was Karen!

[@gasparaangeles7411]

IN my opinion, her best acting performance was Silkwood

[@jamesmadden291]

What is the score in the background? It's beautiful.

[@serpinastellaluna7781]

+James Madden That's from Out of Africa, Love it!

[@iggyspirit]

this in itself is a film...

[@claudiafrontin501]

i love her

[@lizclegg7556]

I liked her best in Silkwood and Devil Wears Prada.

[@dannastrickland4477]

what is the clip at 3:12 from?

[@ajs41]

What date is this?

[@chrisc2477]

I have never met a person in real life that has her honesty and sweetness...weird.

[@user36able]

I'm terrified that now that I've watched this, first thing tomorrow I'll see a news story saying that she's passed away.

[@antamanta9584]

user36able Fortunatetly it didn't happen

[@gwenviviani327]

You are very lucky to have good parents. Try having crazy parents who don't allow you to talk, who don't ever say anything good about you, who treat a sibling in a completely different way that makes you jealous. Never enough to eat, five people (family) living in a small travel trailer for four years, a father who never talked to you, the result of which made me mute for many years. I wasn't able to complete a whole sentence until I was 26 years old, etc., etc.

[@gabbyissa848]

I hope you are doing okay, I'm so sorry you had to go through all of that hardship although I'm sure it has made you into a strong person. :)

[@peachday4347]

even her eyes speak for her character

[@aprilwearsgucci]

3:07 is Silkwood,

[@RebamerrillHollywood]

She could always play her mother

[@TheListenerCanon]

It took me awhile to figure out this was kinda edited.

[@ToeCrusher8787]

what song is in background

[@RebamerrillHollywood]

I believe the theme from Out Of Africa

[@MapleSyrupPoet]

"Martha, Martha ...you are worried, and troubled, about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her" - Luke 10:V41-42

[@brontekent1078]

what film is she in at 3.07?

[@debravera5114]

Silkwood

[@tapwaterthirstoflife7605]

THE GREATEST ACTRESS EVER!

[@oasisofluvprovidenceusioba2175]

Adesua Etomi Wellington of Nigeria, has a lot of similarities with her.

[@chelseajacobson5421]

Not in the slightest form ....

[@ramdam6679]

I wanna hear from the people in her drama class

[@sidisleeplove3649]

Sublime sensationnelle bonisima 😍

[@andykeri8370]

The best acting by Meryl ,just to portray ,a Weird Mother ,of a Weird Sect ,as they sacrifice their babies. The Dingo took my baby !

[@kyleh3693]

i very young when first saw her but I was and still very attracted to her I don't understand ......born 1986

[@MapleSyrupPoet]

Cool earrings Meryl

[@rosierose4452]

Aristocratic beauty

[@Anonymous-xm8ir]

It's Saoirse Ronan!

[@chotzrary]

She must have been between accents here. Her real accent is lost here.

[@luana-wb5oc]

:’)

[@mysticm7776]

Illuminatti

[@rheijm9201]

Jane Fonda had to be stopped. Networks demise has slowed..although in 2023..

[@DanielBMaximoff]

Because she doesn't knows how to do anything else.

[@nicoletheunissen7077]

🤍of men are cold in the last days🖤,turn NOW.Jesus Do Come back⚠️,wake up‼.for what is the deal if you gain the whole world but still lose your own soul⁉️

[@philiplee9430]

She has thinning hair. All this time she wore a wig.

[@LillyBunnyBoo]

She's so very affected.

[@donseagrave]

Meryl Streep becomes an actress to stroke her own ego. Meryl Streep - "Lions for Lambs" (2007) worst movie ever made

[@michellelove9947]

they want to make millions is why they want to be a actress. people look up to them like their a God and its pathetic