A Story of Friendship and Frustration
Meryl Streep, one of the most celebrated actresses in Hollywood, recently shared some behind-the-scenes stories about her time on the set of Death Becomes Her, a film that has become a cult classic. The 76-year-old actress revealed that while she now considers Goldie Hawn a close friend, their relationship on set during the early 1990s was far from smooth.
Streep told Vanity Fair that Hawn was often late to set, which frustrated her as she prided herself on being punctual. “Goldie, she was always late to set,” Streep said. “And I’m always on time, you know, and annoying. But she’s late. She had a red convertible, I remember, and she’d drive herself to set. And so that was probably the problem. She’d drive herself to set.”
Hawn’s disheveled appearance and apologetic attitude made her seem endearing to others, but Streep had a different take. “She had her hair all over. She’s like, ‘Oh gosh, sorry!’ And everybody thought, ‘Oh, she’s so cute.’ Yeah, so I had a beef with her.” Despite this, the two actors eventually found common ground and even shared some laughs over the years.
A Frenemy Dynamic
In Death Becomes Her, Streep and Hawn played rival characters, Madeline Ashton and Helen Sharp, who are both vying for the same man and the secret to eternal beauty. The film, directed by Robert Zemeckis, became a hit, grossing $149 million worldwide. Streep described the movie as “like a documentary on Beverly Hills,” highlighting its satirical take on the lives of wealthy women.
The film also featured some challenging scenes, particularly the special effects sequences that required Streep to wear a green spandex suit that covered her entire body. “Tedious is a kind of a little word for what it is. It’s excruciating,” she admitted. However, she found relief in the comedic moments with Hawn. “We just laughed. We just had a lot of fun. And she’s the best laugher in America, really. She laughs like [hearty belly laughing] and then they have to stop shooting…that part was fun.”
A Fight Scene Gone Wrong
During one of the fight scenes in the film, Streep accidentally scarred Hawn’s cheek with a shovel. This incident added to the tension between the two stars, though it didn’t sour their friendship in the long run. In fact, Streep later praised Hawn for her ability to keep the atmosphere light and fun on set.
Streep also shared her positive experience working with Bruce Willis, who played her onscreen husband. She initially worried he might be a “bad boy” with a reputation for being difficult, but she quickly realized he was “wonderful.” “Oh, Bruce was divine!” she exclaimed. “We had so much fun with him. He was such a gent and so game and willing to be ridiculous.”
A Golden Globe Nomination
Streep’s performance as the narcissistic, fading actress opposite Hawn’s vengeful novelist earned her a Golden Globe Award nomination. The film showcased her versatility and cemented her status as one of the industry’s most respected talents.
A New Chapter for Death Becomes Her
In 2024, Death Becomes Her was adapted into a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, which continues to captivate audiences at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in New York City. The production will go on tour in September, bringing the story to new fans across the country.
Meryl Streep’s Upcoming Projects
Streep is set to return as Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2006 film. The movie, which has a budget of $150 million, features an ensemble cast including Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, and many more. The film will debut in US and UK theaters this Friday.
Beyond The Devil Wears Prada 2, Streep has several other projects in the works. These include Cameron Crowe’s biopic about Joni Mitchell, Joseph Cedar’s thriller Useful Idiots, and potential developments for a Mamma Mia 3 film.
