Streep slams 'under the knife' men

6:21pm Sunday 6th July 2008

Meryl Streep has hit out at the growing number of male Hollywood stars who go under the knife.

The 59-year-old Mamma Mia! star said it was not just women who were succumbing to cosmetic surgery.

She told Good Housekeeping magazine that for older female actresses, it was now easier to get interesting film roles than it had been a few years ago.

The US star said of cosmetic surgery: "It's not just women. You'd be amazed how many men in this industry have gone down that road. I just don't get it. I think you have to embrace getting older and celebrate life."

Streep said of ageing in the film business: "I thought I was washed up at 40, I really did, and there were lots of reasons to think that.

"There were not a lot of interesting scripts - I could find one a year maybe and that was more than for most women my age. Now I think that's changing a little."

The Devil Wears Prada star said: "The good thing about getting older is that when they do cast you it's often something interesting - you're no longer asked to be the beautiful leading lady.

"You're allowed to do different things. I've had some very interesting parts over the past few years in films that examine all the idiosyncrasies people have."

Streep has been cast alongside Julie Walters, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth in the film adaptation of the Mamma Mia! stage show.

The movie has had rave reviews and features Streep in a singing role.

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