Meryl Streep, the three-time Oscar winner widely regarded as one of the finest actors of her generation, has revealed that she felt tempted to retire after watching a Broadway performance by Laurie Metcalf. In an interview with People magazine published on Friday, Streep confessed that seeing Metcalf's work made her question her own abilities.
Streep's Admiration for Metcalf
Streep praised Metcalf, best known for her role in Lady Bird and the original Roseanne series, for her performance in Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman. "Basically I don't know how to act... When I see people do it, I think, 'How did she do that?'" Streep told the magazine. "I just saw 'Death of a Salesman' last night. I can't believe Laurie Metcalf just blew my mind... all of them! And I thought, 'I better just retire, because I don't know how the fuck she did that.' What an artist."
When asked if she had spoken to Metcalf after the show, Streep quipped that she "kissed her feet." The encounter took place at the opening night afterparty for the revival on April 9, 2026, in New York City.
Streep's Instinctual Approach to Acting
The Devil Wears Prada 2 star elaborated on her own acting process, describing it as instinctual rather than methodical. "So yeah, I don't know how to do it," Streep said. "I go into everything, not knowing how people do it. And you sort of feel and listen and pick it up as you go along. But I don't have a method — when you say 'Oh, you went method,' I don't even know what 'the method' is. I never studied it." She added, "But you have a feeling you know what you need to do."
Metcalf's Preparation Routine
In contrast, Metcalf revealed in a 2017 interview with Slant magazine that she runs all her lines before every performance during a play run. When asked if this was exhausting, she admitted, "It is! I hate doing it, but I feel good when it's done. It's like exercising."
Streep's comments highlight the mutual respect between two of the industry's most accomplished actresses, with Metcalf's dedication serving as an inspiration.
