Nicole Kidman names the greatest actor of all time: “No one can touch you”
In the early 1980s, a young Nicole Kidman made her acting debut in Bush Christmas and did so with her eyes firmly on the glittering Tinseltown in America. Since then, the Australian-born actor has not only made it to Hollywood and starred in a string of truly great movies but also become one of the highest-paid actors in the world. She is rightly considered cinematic royalty thanks to her diverse film roles and, it has to be said, complete artistic composure.
Indeed, Kidman’s transition from an unknown actor to a Hollywood starlet was quick. The 1989 thriller Dead Calm was the first to give her widespread recognition for her role as Rae Ingram, and as a result of this performance, she was praised for her portrayal of a frightened wife who has to survive a mass murder that boards her and her husband’s ship. Although she didn’t win awards for the role, it established her as an actor and gave her career the kickstart it required.
Of course, any legendary actor didn’t start out as such. Through the tougher times, we all need inspiration, and actors have a ready-made set of heroes every time they go to the cinema. Kidman has found influence from some of her co-stars and worked with some of the most well-known actors in Hollywood, including Val Kilmer and ex-husband Tom Cruise. But, without a doubt, if there was one performer who truly stoked the creative fires, it was Meryl Streep.
One of the most gifted actors in Hollywood history, Streep’s record for most Academy Award nominations is a testament to her abilities. For an established star like Kidman, Streep still represents the pinnacle of the art form. She told Oprah “When I’m working on a film, I often find myself thinking, ‘What would Meryl do?'”
In the ultimate bout of mutual appreciation, Meryl Streep was left astounded by Nicole Kidman and her emotional range on-screen, showing that the actors share a deep admiration for each other’s talent. They have an active partnership, having worked on the psychological thriller The Hours in 2002 and season two of the immensely popular HBO series Big Little Lies.
In the two films they have shared, Kidman and Streep’s characters are deeply interconnected. In The Hours, Kidman portrays writer Virginia Woolf, while Streep plays Clarissa Vaughn, whose life uncannily mirrors the plot of Woolf’s novel, Mrs Dalloway. In Big Little Lies, Streep takes on the role of Mary Louise Wright, the mother-in-law of Kidman’s character, Celeste Wright. Their undeniable on-screen chemistry is clearly driven by a genuine admiration and affection for one another.
Aside from her acting talent, Nicole Kidman revealed to Oprah that she admired Meryl Streep’s integrity and unwavering commitment to her beliefs. In the same breath, she referred to Streep as “the greatest”. Of course, it will come as no surprise that this wasn’t the only occasion Kidman expressed her admiration.
When Streep presented her with the AFI Lifetime Achievement Award, the Australian actor offered her most heartfelt praise: “Meryl Streep, I just love you,” she began. “I’ve always loved you; I don’t know what it is, but you’re a beacon of excellence and warmth and generosity, but you’ve been my guiding light, so to receive this from you, you have no idea. My husband will attest, my parents will attest, it’s always been you, and no one can touch you.”
Kidman has never been shy about expressing admiration for her fellow actors, even as she’s candid about her regrets regarding some of her own performances in blockbuster films. Reflecting on her work in Australia, where she starred alongside Hugh Jackman, Kidman openly shared her dissatisfaction with her performance, going so far as to leave the premiere early and avoid reading anything about the movie after its release. However, she praised Jackman’s portrayal of her romantic interest, demonstrating her consistent appreciation for her co-stars and directors, even when she feels her own work fell short.
In contrast, Kidman has always spoken positively about her collaborators. Given the close connections between their characters in both projects, it’s easy to understand why the actors hold such admiration for one another. Their remarkable versatility, evident across a wide range of roles, makes it clear why they are regarded as two of Hollywood’s most highly paid and respected talents.
