Meryl Streep
Nude

Universally presented as the standard by whom all other actresses are judged, Meryl Streep‘s name is often invoked by budding serious-lady thespians who self-deprecatingly remark, “I may not be Meryl Streep, but . . .” But, Honey, at least you can take your clothes off and be just as good at it as the great Streep herself. In fact, it’s a sad wannabe leading lady who can’t outdo Streep in using her naked instrument to raw effect. Dame Meryl’s combined exposure of nips and buttocks in their entirety—a quick flash of chest flesh in Silkwood (1983) and some shadowy shared bathtub footage in Bridges of Madison County (1995)—both offer award-winning displays from this superstar who has nabbed every acting trophy imaginable. Aside from seeing the New-Jersey-born Meryl Streep nude in those features, she has also scorched the screen with method sexiness in The Hours (2002), The River Wild (1994), Death Becomes Her (1992), She-Devil (1989), Sophie’s Choice (1982), and The French Lieutenant’s Woman (1981). Unfortunately, the other productions that seem to showcase Meryl Streep nude—Adaptation (2002), The House of the Spirits (1993), and Still of the Night (1983)—actually display the work of a body double. Alas, since Meryl has remained one of the most popular and consistently busy screen icons ever, there’s always reason to have hope that she’ll take up the mantle of nudity anew. Off-camera, Meryl is the real-life mom of two renowned actresses in their own right, Mamie Gummer and Grace Gummer. The younger Gummer, Grace, followed in mom’s nude steps by baring butt in The Homesman (2014).