’80s Movie Star Ranked ‘Best Female Actor’ of All Time
’80s Movie Star Ranked ‘Best Female Actor’ of All Time
Rana AlsoufiWed, March 4, 2026 at 12:03 AM UTC
0
Narrowing down all the phenomenal and talented actresses across time into a short list of just 30 is a near-impossible feat, yet that is exactly what SlashFilm has done. The entertainment outlet published the list in February highlighting 30 extraordinary female actors who have stood out over centuries as pioneers in an industry that was once dominated by men. These women have produced impactful works that have stood the test time, inspiring the world with their talent, passion and versatility as actors.
With iconic names such as Cate Blanchett, Regina King, Katharine Hepburn and Viola Davis making the list, the actress with the honor of being SlashFilm's pick as the best of the best is none other than Meryl Streep, who has dominated Hollywood for almost 50 years.
Streep has long held the unofficial title of being the best actor of her generation, with a variety of iconic roles listed in her filmography that show off her versatility and uniqueness as a performer. Her performance as Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada (2006) has been praised for years and gained her a nomination for the Oscar Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. She also played the lead in the heartbreaking film Sophie's Choice, which follows the story of a Polish Holocaust survivor grappling with the traumatic secret of an impossible decision she was forced to make at Auschwitz. Her stellar performance won Streep her first Oscar in the Best Actress in a Leading Role category, and rightfully so.
Award-winning American actress Meryl Streep wins the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for "Sophie's Choice" during the 55th Academy Awards.Bill Nation/Sygma via Getty Images (Bill Nation/Sygma via Getty Images)
From highly dramatic roles, to more light-hearted projects, to entertaining musical movies, Streep has proven time and time again that she is capable of it all. Several decades of groundbreaking performances have made Streep the most-nominated actress in Academy Award history.
Advertisement
The impact that Streep has had on the acting business is defined by decades of embodying complicated female characters and telling their stories in the most enchanting way. Other actors she's worked with have spoken out about her influence on their own work and technique, and directors like Mike Nichols have praised Streep and have described working with her as "so much like falling in love that it has the characteristics of a time which you remember as magical, but which is shrouded in mystery."
Streep still has a long road ahead of her as she continues to take on new and exciting roles, proving that her legacy will only continue to grow from here. The Devil Wears Prada 2 is set to release in May, with Streep reprising her iconic role. She will also be playing the iconic singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell in an upcoming biopic alongside Anya Taylor-Joy.
Related: 1988 Hit Voted ‘Best Comedy Movie’ of All Time
This story was originally published by Parade on Mar 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pop Culture section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
