In 1978, Meryl Streep, on the brink of becoming the greatest actress of her generation, faced a pivotal and emotionally intense year. Michael Schulman, in his biography “Her Again,” describes this period as profoundly impactful for Streep, both personally and professionally.
At 29, Streep was an emerging talent in the New York theater scene, living in a loft on Franklin Street with her boyfriend, actor John Cazale. Cazale, who was 14 years older, was revered by his colleagues for his remarkable talent. This time was crucial in shaping Streep’s future career and personal resilience.
“I learned more about acting from John than anybody,” Al Pacino has said. “All I wanted to do was work with John for the rest of my life. He was my acting partner.”
Meryl Streep and John Cazale met in 1976 while performing in “Measure for Measure” in Central Park. Cazale, though not a mainstream star, was highly esteemed within the industry for his unique talent and was sought after by top directors. He had already made a significant mark with his roles as Fredo in “The Godfather” and “The Godfather Part II,” and in leading roles in “The Conversation” and “Dog Day Afternoon.” Remarkably, all five films he starred in were nominated for Best Picture, with three winning the prestigious award.
Sidney Lumet, the director of “Dog Day Afternoon,” admired Cazale’s profound sadness, which radiated in every shot. “One of the things I loved about the casting of John Cazale,” Lumet said, “was that he had a tremendous sadness about him. I don’t know where it came from; I don’t believe in invading the privacy of the actors I work with or getting into their heads. But my God, it’s there — every shot of him.”
Schulman notes that “Time moved differently for John Cazale. Everything went slower. He wasn’t dim, not by a long shot. But he was meticulous, sometimes maddeningly so.” His meticulous nature earned him the nickname “20 Questions” among directors, as he sought detailed backstories for his characters. Al Pacino recalled that a simple dinner with Cazale would turn into an epic affair: “I mean, you’d be done — washed, finished, and in bed — before he got halfway through his meal. Then the cigar would come out. He’d look at it, light it, taste it. Then finally smoke it.”
Cazale’s distinctive appearance, characterized by his lean frame, high forehead, prominent nose, and sad, black eyes, made him perfect for the misfit roles of ’70s cinema. Streep fell for him instantly, and he was equally captivated by her.
In 1976, Meryl Streep and John Cazale met while performing in “Measure for Measure” in Central Park. Cazale, already known for his roles in “The Godfather” films and “Dog Day Afternoon,” quickly became infatuated with Streep. Despite their contrasting looks and Cazale’s quirky demeanor, Streep was drawn to his humanity and curiosity.
Though Cazale was more famous, they lived as struggling artists. Cazale often took Streep to Little Italy, where they ate for free because of his fame. Their relationship progressed swiftly, and they soon moved in together in Cazale’s Tribeca loft, becoming a celebrated couple in the New York theater world.
Their happiness was shattered in May 1977 when Cazale was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Despite the devastating news, Streep remained resilient and supportive. Cazale left his play, while Streep continued to perform in “Happy End,” maintaining a brave front despite her grief.
The couple kept the severity of Cazale’s condition private. Streep took on a role she disliked just to stay close to him, displaying remarkable grace and strength. Al Pacino accompanied Cazale to radiation treatments, and Cazale continued to believe in his recovery. Throughout this challenging time, Streep’s love and dedication never wavered.
In stark contrast to her own nature, Meryl Streep’s role in the film “The Deer Hunter” was an opportunity to support John Cazale, who was cast alongside Robert De Niro in one of the first films to tackle the Vietnam War. Despite Cazale’s terminal illness, the filmmakers fought to keep him on board against EMI’s demands to fire him due to high insurance costs. Director Michael Cimino recalled intense arguments to retain Cazale, with De Niro possibly covering his insurance costs, though this was never confirmed.
During the shoot, Streep was torn between her desire to be with Cazale and the need to work due to mounting medical bills. She reluctantly accepted a lead role in the TV miniseries “Holocaust” for financial reasons, even though it meant filming in Austria and being away from Cazale. The grim subject matter and filming at a real concentration camp added to her distress.
Extended shoot days in Austria meant Streep spent more than 2½ months away from her dying boyfriend, intensifying her emotional turmoil. Despite her professional demeanor on set, she later described the experience as agonizing, deeply wishing to be with Cazale during his final days.
‘When I saw that girl there with him like that I thought,
“There’s nothing like that.” As great as she is in all her work,
that’s what I think of when I think of her.’
– Al Pacino
Meryl Streep was eager to finish her last scene for the miniseries “Holocaust” and return to New York, only to find John Cazale in a worsened condition. For the next five months, Streep devoted herself entirely to caring for him, attending every doctor’s appointment and treatment. Despite the bleak situation, she remained hopeful and strong, avoiding drama and focusing on his care.
Streep confided in few people, revealing her true emotional state in a letter to her Yale drama teacher, Bobby Lewis, describing the mental and physical exhaustion of maintaining a cheerful facade. In early March 1978, Cazale was admitted to Memorial Sloan Kettering, and Streep never left his side. On March 12, Cazale passed away, with Streep by his side. In a moment of intense grief, she tried to revive him, and he briefly opened his eyes to comfort her before passing away.
Following Cazale’s death, Streep’s career soared. She won an Emmy for “Holocaust,” received an Oscar nomination for “The Deer Hunter,” and was cast in “Kramer vs. Kramer,” which won her an Academy Award. Despite her professional success, the experience of losing Cazale profoundly transformed her both personally and as an actress.
Meryl Streep’s interpretation of Kate in “The Taming of the Shrew” reflected her personal growth and experience with John Cazale. She saw Kate not as a woman broken by a man but as someone who finds fulfillment in giving herself over to love. “I’ll do anything for this man,” she told a reporter, emphasizing the importance of service and duty in love, contrasting with contemporary concerns about losing oneself.
Streep’s friends and fellow actors admired her most for her devotion to Cazale during his illness. Joe Papp praised her unwavering support, noting she never showed doubt about his survival. Al Pacino echoed this sentiment, stating that Streep’s dedication to Cazale was her most remarkable quality, even beyond her professional achievements.
Streep’s career flourished, with 19 Academy Award nominations and three wins, but it was her strength and character during Cazale’s illness that left a lasting impression on those who knew her.
