Meryl Streep Reveals Her Real Name on The Graham Norton Show
When Hollywood’s elite visit The Graham Norton Show, it’s not uncommon for them to share secrets about their lives. The show, which has been on the air for 18 seasons, has a reputation for getting celebrities to open up on the big red couch. In a 2015 episode, Meryl Streep and Carey Mulligan appeared alongside Nicole Kidman, Nigella Lawson, and Gabrielle Aplin to discuss their film Suffragette. During the conversation, Graham Norton broached the topic of celebrity birth names, and Meryl Streep shared a revelation that may have surprised some of her fans.
According to an interview with collider.com, Norton asked Streep, “Meryl Streep, you weren’t always Meryl Streep.” Streep responded, “At birth, I had to be named Mary because my mother’s name was Mary, and her mother’s name was Mary, and her mother’s name was Mary.” As reported by collider.com, she explained that it was a family tradition to name children after their mothers. However, Streep’s father made up the name “Meryl” for her, which she initially disliked. In fact, she revealed that she would have preferred to be called “Patty” or “Kathy.”
Streep also shared that her middle name, Louise, was named after a family friend. The article by collider.com noted that her full name is Mary Louise Streep. Interestingly, Streep’s last name was originally “Streep” with a “t” instead of a “p,” but she changed it to make it easier for her to fit in. As noted by collider.com, Streep appeared on The Graham Norton Show with her co-stars to promote their film Suffragette.
The Graham Norton Show has a long history of airing on BBC One and has featured many A-list celebrities. The show’s format, which typically involves a panel of guests discussing their lives and careers, has become a staple of British television. In recent years, the show has expanded to include more diverse topics and guests. According to collider.com, The Graham Norton Show is available to stream on Netflix.
Meryl Streep wasn’t the only celebrity to share her birth name on the show. Nicole Kidman revealed that her Hawaiian name is Hōkūlani, which means “heavenly star.” Kidman’s parents discovered the name after a baby elephant was born at the Honolulu Zoo around the same time as her. Interestingly, collider.com reported that the elephant, also named Hōkūlani, met a tragic end. According to an email from a woman named Barbara at the zoo, the elephant was found dead in the moat of her exhibit, allegedly pushed in by another young elephant.
Many celebrities have changed their names for various reasons. For example, Reese Witherspoon was born Laura Jeanne Witherspoon, but she goes by her mother’s maiden name. Bruno Mars, born Peter Gene Hernandez, has a more stage-friendly name. Natalie Portman, born Neta-Lee Hershlag, adopted her grandmother’s maiden name and changed the spelling of her name. Emma Stone, who competed on In Search for the Partridge Family, used her real name “Emily” at the time. Rihanna, born Robyn Rihanna Fenty, and Lady Gaga, born Stefani Joanne Germanotta, are also known by different names.
The Graham Norton Show continues to be a popular platform for celebrities to share their stories and connect with their fans. With its unique blend of humor, wit, and candor, the show remains a staple of British television. As noted by collider.com, Meryl Streep’s appearance on the show was a highlight of the episode, and her revelation about her birth name has sparked conversation among fans.
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