Meryl Streep | 143
Meryl Streep is one of the most critically acclaimed actresses of her generation. She’s not just a Hollywood icon but is among its pillars. What we mean to say is that every aspiring actor looks up to her and wants to be like her. Before all of this success, Streep had humble beginnings. She attended Bernards High School where she discovered her interest in acting and performed in numerous school plays.
She continued her education at Vassar College and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Streep then went on to study for an MFA at Yale School of Drama, where she supported herself through typing jobs and waitressing. But her efforts have brought her rich returns. She was nominated for a record 21 Academy Awards. She also has received eight Golden Globes and two Emmy Awards, among many other accolades.