Meryl Streep is turning 74, and to celebrate the supremely talented actress&rsquo; birthday, we&rsquo;re rounding up some lesser-seen throwback photos from her early acting days.

From her role as scathing fashion tyrant <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/meryl-streep-the-devil-wears-prada-method-acting" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Miranda Priestly in </a><a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/meryl-streep-the-devil-wears-prada-method-acting" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Devil Wears Prada</a>, to portraying the carefree, Grecian-island-living Donna Sheridan in <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/watch-the-new-trailer-for-the-mamma-mia-sequel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mamma Mia!</a>, Meryl Streep has repeatedly demonstrated her indubitable acting prowess. Often labeled the &ldquo;best actress of our generation,&rdquo; Streep has garnered a whopping 21 Oscar noms throughout her career thanks to her masterful technique and infamously subtle facial expressions, making her the most-nominated actor in the history of the Academy Awards.&nbsp;
Having studied drama at Yale University, Streep graduated in 1975 and made her <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/the-great-gatsby-musical-broadway" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Broadway</a> debut that same year in Trelawny of the "Wells.&rdquo; Streep&rsquo;s breakout role, however, was in the 1978 film The Deer Hunter. Since then, the New Jersey native has starred in over 70 other titles including Sophie&rsquo;s Choice and Silkwood (which she stars in alongside <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/young-cher-fashion-moments-70s" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fellow icon Cher)</a>, winning the hearts and accolades of moviegoers around the world.&nbsp;
In honor of the beloved leading lady&rsquo;s birthday, look back at the actress during her youth, before she became certified cinematic royalty.&nbsp;

The Seduction of Joe Tynan (1979).&nbsp;

A young, effortlessly elegant Streep.&nbsp;

The fresh-faced, young actress was in demand by the early '80s.&nbsp;

Photgraphed by Brigitte Lacombe in 1980.&nbsp;

Streep and Dustin Hoffman on the set of Kramer vs. Kramer, 1979.

Streep with her <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/every-look-2021-oscars-red-carpet-academy-awards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oscar</a> for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Kramer vs. Kramer at the 1980 Oscar Awards Ceremony.&nbsp;

Streep sporting a&nbsp;The River Wild&nbsp;cap.&nbsp;

Sophie's Choice (1982).&nbsp;

Photographed with her beau, Don Gummer.

Streep and The Hours co-stars <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/the-undoing-hbo-nicole-kidman-fashion-coats" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nicole Kidman</a> and <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/julianne-moore-gloria-bell-actress-interview" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Julianne Moore</a> at a 2002 promotional photoshoot.

Throwback Photos of Young Meryl Streep

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