However, the double Oscar winner – for Kramer vs Kramer and Sophie’s Choice – has enjoyed a new lease of life in her 50s with roles such as bitchy magazine boss in The Devil Wears Prada and the lead role in the new film version of the musical Mamma Mia.

“I thought I was washed up at 40 so now I’m really thrilled,” says Meryl, 58. “There just weren’t a lot of interesting scripts. I generally could find only one a year.”

She puts the surge in job offers down to the fact that more women have taken on influential roles in the film industry.

“There are more women in high positions in the studios pushing for scripts featuring older women,” she adds.

“Movies are really just a projection of the fantasies of people who pay for them and so for years those were just the fantasies of fellas.

"Now there are women who say, ‘Well, this is all right. This woman is still sexy and interesting at 40 or worth listening to or looking at.’”