Meryl Streep: A Love Story Filled with Tragedy and Triumph

Meryl Streep, renowned actress and icon, experienced a devastating blow when her boyfriend, John Cazale, passed away from cancer in 1978.

However, amidst the tragedy, love and light emerged, leading to a beautiful chapter in Streep's life.

Author Michael Schulman delves into Streep's two-year romance with Cazale in his upcoming biography, Her Again: Becoming Meryl Streep, set to be published on April 26 by HarperCollins.

Their love story began when they met during an audition for New York City's prominent Shakespeare in the Park.

According to their castmates and director Joe Papp, it was evident that Streep and the talented actor, who starred in five Best Picture nominees in just six years, shared a deep connection.

Schulman reveals that their romance was intense and physical, with Streep's consistently chapped lips drawing attention from those around them.

Their relationship took a turn during their work on The Deer Hunter, Cazale's final film, as he grew increasingly ill. Streep transformed from lover to caregiver, accompanying him to chemotherapy treatments at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for five months, all while remaining remarkably composed.

Director Michael Cimino recounted Streep's unwavering devotion to Cazale, stating, “Meryl stayed by his side every single moment.

By her devotion to John, I knew she had great courage.”

Schulman's book also reveals that during Cazale's final days, Streep never left his bedside in their Manhattan apartment.

She entertained him with comedic routines and read from the newspaper in different voices, providing him with hope until the end.

Cazale passed away on March 12, 1978, leaving Streep overcome with grief.

She collapsed onto him, pounding on his chest, desperately longing for him to wake up.

In a poignant moment, Cazale briefly opened his eyes and reassured Streep that she would be okay before closing them for the final time.

A year after Cazale's death, Streep reflected on her loss in an interview with PEOPLE, sharing, “The death is still very much with me.

It has forced me to confront my own mortality, and once you do that, you look at things differently.”

Schulman's book reveals that Streep sought solace in Canada before returning to New York City, only to discover that she had been evicted from the loft she once shared with Cazale.

Amidst the heartbreaking task of packing up their shared memories, Streep's brother arrived to help, accompanied by his friend, sculptor Don Gummer.

Although it wasn't love at first sight, Schulman notes that a connection quickly formed between Streep and Gummer.

They began corresponding through letters while Gummer was away, and upon his return, Streep moved into his apartment.

This marked the beginning of Streep's challenging journey filming Kramer vs. Kramer, a role that eventually earned her an Academy Award.

Just six months after Cazale's passing, Streep and Gummer tied the knot in September 1978.

While some friends speculated if it was simply a rebound relationship, Streep's mother expressed concerns about her daughter's decision-making process.

Despite the doubts, their love endured.

Over the course of nearly 38 years of marriage, they welcomed four children – Henry, Mamie, Grace, and Louisa – and Streep garnered 17 more Academy Award nominations.

In 2012, Streep graciously acknowledged her husband during her acceptance speech for Best Actress at the Academy Awards.

She expressed her gratitude, saying, “First, I'm going to thank Don because when you thank your husband at the end of the speech, they play him out with the music.

And I want him to know that everything I value most in our lives, you've given me.”

Meryl Streep's love story is one of triumph over tragedy, showcasing her resilience and the enduring bond she shares with Don Gummer.

Their journey is a testament to the power of love and the ability to find light even in the darkest of times.