when streep was at the peak of his career, way back in 1985, it had already been eight years since his big screen debut in Giuliaby Fred Zinnemann, but had already racked up five Oscar nominations and two wins (for Best Supporting Actress for Kramer vs. Kramer and best actress for Sophie’s decision).

It seemed that his range as an artist was unlimited and that he would be in high demand for years to come. This is every actor’s dream, but it gets complicated as he gets older and starts a family, according to a note from slashfilm. Making a film is a challenging task that often requires people to spend months in a place away from their families.

For Streep, 36, who already had two young children (with two more coming in the next decade), as he prepared to shoot my africa, this was a great concern. His co-star, Robert Redfordhe sensed it and then imparted his wisdom on how to manage a movie star’s work-life balance.

Redford was 13 years older than Streep when they made the award-winning drama Oscar for Best Film, based on Isak Dinesen’s autobiography. He had two grown children and knew a thing or two about protecting children from the glare of the superstar spotlight. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Streep revealed that she found her advice incredibly helpful.

challenges

“Motherhood, marriage, is a balancing act. Especially when you have a job that you find rewarding. It’s a challenge, but the best kind of challenge … Robert Redford taught me that when they were kids: ‘They aren’t yours. accessories. ‘, he told me. I really admired the way he protected his family. It’s something I consciously emulated. “

Whatever Redford and Streep did, it definitely worked. Redford’s son James became a famous documentarian and philanthropist before his death in 2020, while his daughter Amy had a modestly successful acting career. You never read about it in the tabloids. This also applies to all four of Streep’s children, who have all become artists.

It is admirable that none of them used their surname for nepotistic purposes. Her daughters Mamie Gummer, Grace Gummer and Louisa Jacobson work as actresses who have done outstanding work both on stage and on screen. Her son Henry Wolfe also starred, but is best known as an independent rock artist.

Growing up in the shadow of a movie star can’t be easy. There are so many tragic stories of lives being ruined or cut short by substance abuse, amplified by the sordid reach of gossip magazines and websites. And, as in life in general, being a careful parent doesn’t guarantee your kids won’t stumble. So while it’s nice to see Robert Redford and Meryl Streep’s spawns excel on their terms, it’s important to remember that there’s a bit of luck as well.

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