Mary Louise "Meryl" Streep (born June 22, 1949) is an American actress. Often described as "the best actress of her generation", Streep is particularly noted for her versatility and accents. She is the recipient of numerous accolades, including a record 21 Academy Award nominations, winning 3 (behind only Katharine Hepburn for the world-record), and a record 32 Golden Globe Award nominations, winning 8.