Meryl Streep says Oprah Winfrey "sets the bar pretty high" and has displayed the qualities needed by a presidential candidate.
The actress also said the talk show host, who has sparked speculation that she could run for US president following her speech about equality at the Golden Globes, could help inspire other potential candidates.
Streep, 68, told a press conference for her film The Post: "I think Oprah showed what a presidential candidate should talk like, what language and passion and principle they should have, what rhetoric can rouse in people and how important it is to people to feel that and get that encouragement.
"That's the voice of a leader. Whether she's leading us to the candidate we need or whether she is the candidate. She sets the bar pretty high."
Streep and her The Post co-star Tom Hanks have already shared their backing of Winfrey, 63, to succeed Donald Trump in the White House.
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Speaking to CNN's Christiane Amanpour, Streep praised Winfrey's business acumen, saying: "She's run a major corporation, that didn't go bankrupt three of four or however many times.
"Yeah, I think she's more than qualified. Intellectually she's qualified. Her energy, her stamina, her passion. I think she's more than qualified."
Hanks joked he would take the role of Winfrey's vice president, adding: "I just hope President Winfrey gives me occasional rides on Air Force One."
