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Sterling K. Brown Got a Kiss From Meryl Streep, and the Story Is Incredible

The legendary actress loved Brown's Oscar-nominated turn in the film American Fiction. 

By Jackie Manno
Sterling K. Brown on His First Oscar Nomination and Getting a Kiss from Meryl Streep
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This Is Us alum Sterling K. Brown just got nominated for his first Oscar, and it's led to some once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Like getting a kiss from Meryl Streep! 

How to Watch

Watch Late Night with Seth Meyers on NBC weeknights at 12:35/11:35c and next day on Peacock.  

When Brown was on Late Night With Seth Meyers on January 29, he dished on a moment that left him in complete awe after interacting with Streep. 

"If you know anything about me, I'm a big [Meryl] Streep fan," Brown told Meyers. "And she saw American Fiction, and she told me how much she enjoys my work. And she kissed me!" (Brown noted that his wife was present during the interaction, and it was just a friendly peck!) 

For context: Brown was recently nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Clifford Ellison in the film American Fiction. 

RELATED: See the Adorable Way Sterling K. Brown’s Son Followed in His Performer Footsteps

Sterling K. Brown Overdoes It with Baby Powder Sometimes

Like Brown said, he's a longtime admirer of Streep's work. While on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in 2022, he talked about how much he hoped to officially meet her one day. 

"I've been in the presence of Streep three times," Brown said. "She don't need a first name. You know who I'm talking about. Jimmy, I've been in Streep's presence three times. One time, I was working at the Public [Theater], and she was doing something else at the Public. She was just talking to people, and I was just standing there, like, [grinning], 'It's Steep, y'all.' And she was just talking, being regular 'ole Streep. And I'm like, 'No, I can't. I don't know.' I couldn't talk. I just lurked. I was weird. I was a creeper. So, I'm looking forward to somebody who knows both of us to hopefully give me an introduction." 

Thankfully his dream finally came true!

RELATED: Sterling K. Brown Shares Heartwarming Photos of His 2 Adorable Sons: 'Time Flies'

Sterling K. Brown's other interaction with royalty 

While Meryl Streep is royalty in the eyes of film critics (or to anyone who has seen a movie), Brown also got to meet an official Royal Member, Prince William, while in Singapore in 2023. There, Brown was hosting a ceremony for Earthshot Prize, which is dedicated to people making strides to help the environment. 

"The Prince was awesome," he said while on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in November 2023. 

Brown continued, "When you meet him, they tell you straight up: 'All right, you call him His Royal Highness, Your Royal Highness, or Your Highness, and after that you can say Sir. You wait for him to extend his hand, and you shake him back. But he was so cool, man, I really like him. We all stand up, and we act pretty naturally. And they're like 'Oh, it was a false alarm. The Prince is not coming.' You're like, 'Is he coming or not?' Then you do it one more time, then he comes in, and you forget, you stick your hand out...oh! I was supposed to keep it down! Then he'd stick his hand out, and it's cool." 

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