Meryl Streep's personal photos

Actress Meryl Streep is critically acclaimed for having a unique gift to not just portray a character, but literally become her.

In a career that has spanned more than three decades, Streep has won two Academy Awards and been nominated a record 16 times.

Before she was Meryl of the movies, she was Mary Louise Streep of New Jersey. She dabbled in acting growing up, but did not become serious about it until college.

In this photograph, she appears at the Yale Drama School in 1972.

Meryl Streep made her film debut starring alongside Jane Fonda in the 1977 film "Julia."

Streep won her first Oscar for her performance in the 1979 film "Kramer vs. Kramer" co-starring Dustin Hoffman.

Meryl Streep appears as the title character in the 1981 film "The French Lieutenant's Woman."

Meryl Streep won her second Oscar for her performance in "Sophie's Choice" in 1982.

In this photograph, Streep appears with co-stars Kevin Kline (right) and Peter MacNicol.

Robert DeNiro starred as Meryl Streep's leading man in the 1984 film "Falling in Love."

Robert Redford and Meryl Streep were cast as the romantic leads in the 1985 drama "Out of Africa."

Jack Nicholson played the part of a cheating husband alongside Meryl Streep in the 1986 film "Heartburn."

In this photograph, Meryl appears with Nicholson and director Mike Nichols.

Can you find Meryl Streep in this photograph?

Streep (in the middle) dressed up as a rabbi for the 2003 TV mini series "Angels in America."

Co-stars Alec Baldwin, Steve Martin and Meryl Streep were caught in a love triangle for the 2009 comedy "It's Complicated."