Career Timeline of Meryl Streep: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Meryl Streep built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Meryl Streep is a highly acclaimed American actress celebrated for her versatility, mastery of accents, and consistent high-quality performances over a five-decade career. Often lauded as "the best actress of her generation," she boasts an impressive collection of awards, including three Academy Awards, multiple British Academy Film Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Primetime Emmy Awards, and Screen Actors Guild Awards. Streep has also been nominated for Grammy Awards and a Tony Award, showcasing her diverse talent across various entertainment mediums.
1962: Mamma Roma
Prior to filming "The Bridges of Madison County" in 1995, Meryl Streep watched Pier Paolo Pasolini's "Mamma Roma" (1962) for inspiration.
1969: Acted in Miss Julie at Vassar College
In 1969, Meryl Streep acted in the play Miss Julie at Vassar College, gaining attention across the campus.
1975: Stage Debut in Trelawny of the Wells
In 1975, Meryl Streep made her stage debut in Trelawny of the Wells.
1975: Professional Job at Eugene O'Neill Theater Center
In 1975, one of Meryl Streep's first professional jobs was at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's National Playwrights Conference.
1976: Auditioned for King Kong Remake
In 1976, Meryl Streep auditioned unsuccessfully for the lead role in the King Kong remake.
1976: A Memory of Two Mondays, 27 Wagons Full of Cotton
In 1976, Streep appeared in the Broadway theatre productions A Memory of Two Mondays and 27 Wagons Full of Cotton.
1977: First Feature Film Role in Julia
In 1977, Meryl Streep had her first feature film role in Julia, though most of her scenes were edited out.
1977: Film Debut in Julia
In 1977, Meryl Streep made her feature film debut in Julia.
1977: Phoenix Theater Production
In 1977, Meryl Streep sang onscreen for the first time in the "Great Performances" telecast of the Phoenix Theater production of Secret Service.
1977: Julia, The Cherry Orchard
In 1977, Streep starred in the film Julia and the Broadway production The Cherry Orchard.
May 1978: Uncommon Women and Others
In May 1978, Streep played the supporting role of Leilah in Wendy Wasserstein's Uncommon Women and Others.
1978: The Deer Hunter Release
In 1978, Meryl Streep appeared in The Deer Hunter, earning critical acclaim.
1978: Primetime Emmy Award for Holocaust
In 1978, Meryl Streep won a Primetime Emmy Award for her role in the miniseries Holocaust.
1979: Roles in The Seduction of Joe Tynan and Manhattan
In 1979, Meryl Streep appeared in The Seduction of Joe Tynan and Manhattan. She found her role in The Seduction of Joe Tynan unfulfilling and revealed that she had a difficult time working with Woody Allen on the set of Manhattan.
1979: Workshopping Alice in Concert
In 1979, Meryl Streep began workshopping Alice in Concert with writer and composer Elizabeth Swados and director Joseph Papp.
1979: Academy Award for Kramer vs. Kramer
In 1979, Meryl Streep received her first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Kramer vs. Kramer.
1979: Golden Globe and Academy Award for Kramer vs. Kramer
In 1979, Meryl Streep won both the Golden Globe Award and the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Kramer vs. Kramer.
1979: The Seduction of Joe Tynan
In 1979, Streep imitated a southern American accent in The Seduction of Joe Tynan.
1979: Kramer vs. Kramer
In 1979, Streep starred in the film Kramer vs. Kramer.
December 1980: Alice in Concert at New York's Public Theater
From December 1980, Meryl Streep workshopped Alice in Concert, a musical version of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, which was put on at New York's Public Theater.
1981: Leading Role in The French Lieutenant's Woman
In 1981, Meryl Streep had her first leading role in the film The French Lieutenant's Woman and was awarded a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her work.
1981: The French Lieutenant's Woman
In 1981, Streep imitated British Received Pronunciation in The French Lieutenant's Woman.
1982: Sophie's Choice
For her role in the film Sophie's Choice in 1982, Streep spoke both English and German with a Polish accent, as well as Polish itself.
1982: Still of the Night Release
In 1982, Meryl Streep starred in Still of the Night.
1982: Academy Award for Sophie's Choice
In 1982, Meryl Streep won her second Academy Award, this time for Best Actress, for her performance in Sophie's Choice.
1983: Silkwood
In 1983, Meryl Streep played Karen Silkwood in the biographical film "Silkwood". She met with people close to Silkwood to prepare for the role.
1984: Silkwood Release
In 1984, Meryl Streep starred in Silkwood, adding to her acclaimed filmography.
1984: Falling in Love
In 1984, Meryl Streep starred opposite Robert De Niro in the romance "Falling in Love", which was not well-received.
1985: Plenty
In 1985, Meryl Streep portrayed a fighter for the French Resistance in the British drama "Plenty", adapted from David Hare's play. Her performance was praised for its subtlety and charm.
1985: Out of Africa
In 1985, Meryl Streep starred in "Out of Africa" as Karen Blixen. The film was a commercial success and won a Golden Globe for Best Picture. Streep earned an Academy Award nomination.
1986: Heartburn
In 1986, Meryl Streep co-starred with Jack Nicholson in the drama "Heartburn".
1987: Ironweed
In 1987, Meryl Streep co-starred with Jack Nicholson in "Ironweed", in which she sang onscreen for the first time since 1977.
1987: Artistic Control and Improvisation Statement
In 1987, Meryl Streep stated that her ideal director is one who gives her complete artistic control, allowing her to have a degree of improvisation and to learn from her mistakes.
1988: Evil Angels
In 1988, Meryl Streep starred in "Evil Angels" as Lindy Chamberlain. She won the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actress and Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival.
1988: A Cry in the Dark
In 1988, Streep starred in the film A Cry in the Dark.
1989: Evita and She-Devil
In 1989, Meryl Streep dropped out of Oliver Stone's "Evita" adaptation and starred in the comedy "She-Devil", marking a departure from her dramatic roles.
1990: Postcards from the Edge
In 1990, Carrie Fisher wrote the screenplay for Streep's film Postcards from the Edge, based on Fisher's book.
1990: Screen Actor's Guild National Women's Conference
In 1990, Meryl Streep keynoted the Screen Actor's Guild National Women's Conference, emphasizing the decline in women's work opportunities, pay parity, and role models within the film industry.
1991: Defending Your Life
In 1991, Meryl Streep starred in the comedy-fantasy "Defending Your Life".
1992: Death Becomes Her
In 1992, Meryl Streep starred in the black comedy "Death Becomes Her". She disliked filming the scenes involving heavy special effects.
1993: The House of the Spirits
In 1993, Meryl Streep appeared in "The House of the Spirits", which was not well received by critics.
1995: The Bridges of Madison County
In 1995, Meryl Streep starred in "The Bridges of Madison County", directed by Clint Eastwood. The film was a box office hit and was warmly received by critics.
1996: Marvin's Room
In 1996, Meryl Streep played the estranged sister in "Marvin's Room". She recommended Diane Keaton for the role of Bessie.
1997: ...First Do No Harm
In 1997, Meryl Streep's performance in "...First Do No Harm" garnered her an Emmy Award nomination.
1998: Dancing at Lughnasa and One True Thing
In 1998, Meryl Streep appeared in "Dancing at Lughnasa" and played a housewife dying of cancer in "One True Thing", which received positive reviews.
1999: Music of the Heart Release
In 1999, Meryl Streep portrayed Roberta Guaspari in the music drama Music of the Heart. She received nominations for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award for her performance.
2002: Adaptation. and The Hours Release
In 2002, Meryl Streep starred in Adaptation. and The Hours. Her role in Adaptation. won her a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress, while The Hours won her and co-stars a Silver Bear for Best Actress.
2003: Angels in America Release
In 2003, Meryl Streep starred in HBO's adaptation of Angels in America, receiving her second Emmy Award and fifth Golden Globe for her performance.
2003: Primetime Emmy Award for Angels in America
In 2003, Meryl Streep won a Primetime Emmy Award for her role in Angels in America.
2004: The Manchurian Candidate and Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events Release
In 2004, Meryl Streep appeared in The Manchurian Candidate and Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events.
2005: Prime Release
In 2005, Meryl Streep starred in the comedy film Prime, playing Lisa Metzger, a Jewish psychoanalyst.
September 2006: Mother Courage and Her Children Onstage
In August and September 2006, Meryl Streep starred onstage in The Public Theater's production of Mother Courage and Her Children at the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park.
2006: The Devil Wears Prada Release
In 2006, Meryl Streep starred in The Devil Wears Prada, earning critical acclaim.
2006: A Prairie Home Companion
In 2006, Streep imitated a Minnesota accent in A Prairie Home Companion.
2007: Evening and Lions for Lambs Release
In 2007, Meryl Streep appeared in Evening and Lions for Lambs, both of which received lukewarm to mixed reviews.
2007: The Devil Wears Prada
In 2007, Streep starred in the film The Devil Wears Prada.
October 2008: Mamma Mia song popularity
In October 2008, after Meryl Streep starred in Mamma Mia!, her rendition of the titular song rose to popularity on the Portuguese music charts, where it peaked at number eight.
2008: Dark Matter Limited Release
Dark Matter, starring Meryl Streep, received a limited release in 2008 and received negative to mixed reviews.
2008: Doubt Release
In 2008, Meryl Streep starred in Doubt, earning critical acclaim.
2009: Julie & Julia, It's Complicated Release
In 2009, Meryl Streep starred in Julie & Julia and It's Complicated, earning critical acclaim.
2009: Fantastic Mr. Fox
In 2009, Streep starred in the film Fantastic Mr. Fox.
2011: Academy Award for The Iron Lady
In 2011, Meryl Streep secured her third Academy Award, winning Best Actress for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady.
2011: The Iron Lady Release
In 2011, Meryl Streep starred in The Iron Lady, winning Best Actress awards at the Golden Globes and the BAFTAs, as well as her third win at the Academy Awards. Former advisers, friends, and family of Thatcher criticized Streep's portrayal of her as "inaccurate" and "biased".
October 4, 2012: Donation to The Public Theater
On October 4, 2012, Meryl Streep donated $1 million to The Public Theater in honor of Joseph Papp and Nora Ephron.
2012: Hope Springs Release
In 2012, Meryl Streep starred in Hope Springs, playing a middle-aged woman attending marriage counseling.
2013: August: Osage County Release
In 2013, Meryl Streep starred in August: Osage County, earning critical acclaim.
July 2014: Announcement of Streep as Maria Callas
In July 2014, it was announced that Meryl Streep would portray Maria Callas in Master Class. However, the project was later pulled after director Mike Nichols's death in November of the same year.
2014: The Giver and The Homesman Release
In 2014, Meryl Streep appeared in The Giver and The Homesman.
2014: Establishment of University of Massachusetts Lowell scholarships
In 2014, Meryl Streep established two scholarships for students at the University of Massachusetts Lowell: the Meryl Streep Endowed Scholarship for English majors and the Joan Hertzberg Endowed Scholarship for math majors.
2014: Into the Woods Release
In 2014, Meryl Streep starred in Into the Woods, earning critical acclaim.
April 2015: Funding the Writers Lab for female screenwriters
In April 2015, Meryl Streep funded a screenwriters lab for female screenwriters over forty years old, called the Writers Lab.
2015: Starring in 'Ricki and the Flash' and 'Suffragette'
In 2015, Meryl Streep starred in 'Ricki and the Flash' as a rock musician and checkout worker, and played Emmeline Pankhurst in 'Suffragette', a film about the British suffragette movement.
March 2016: Signing letter for gender equality
In March 2016, Meryl Streep signed a letter asking for gender equality throughout the world, in observance of International Women's Day, organized by One Campaign.
2016: Starring in 'Florence Foster Jenkins'
In 2016, Meryl Streep starred in 'Florence Foster Jenkins', a biopic about an opera singer with no sense of tone who wants to perform publicly. She won the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actress in a Comedy, and received Academy Award, Golden Globe, SAG, and BAFTA nominations.
2016: Florence Foster Jenkins Release
In 2016, Meryl Streep starred in Florence Foster Jenkins, earning critical acclaim.
2016: Speech at the Democratic National Convention
In 2016, Streep gave a speech at the Democratic National Convention in support of presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.
April 25, 2017: Public backing of the campaign to free Oleg Sentsov
On April 25, 2017, Meryl Streep publicly backed the campaign to free Oleg Sentsov, a Ukrainian filmmaker from Crimea.
2017: Starring as Katharine Graham in 'The Post'
In 2017, Meryl Streep starred as Katharine Graham in Steven Spielberg's 'The Post', a political drama about the publication of the Pentagon Papers. She received her 31st Golden Globe nomination and 21st Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for the movie.
2017: The Post Release
In 2017, Meryl Streep starred in The Post, earning critical acclaim.
2018: Collaboration with Time's Up initiative
In 2018, Meryl Streep collaborated with 300 women in Hollywood to set up the Time's Up initiative to protect women from harassment and discrimination.
2018: Roles in 'Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again' and 'Mary Poppins Returns'
In 2018, Meryl Streep reprised her role in 'Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again' and played a supporting role in 'Mary Poppins Returns'.
2019: Starring in 'Big Little Lies' Season 2 and 'The Laundromat' and 'Little Women'
In 2019, Meryl Streep starred in the second season of HBO's 'Big Little Lies', portraying Mary Louise Wright. She also appeared in 'The Laundromat' and played Aunt March in Greta Gerwig's 'Little Women'.
2019: Big Little Lies Role
In 2019, Meryl Streep took a role in the HBO drama series Big Little Lies.
2019: Little Women, Big Little Lies
In 2019, Streep starred in the film Little Women and the drama series Big Little Lies.
2020: Roles in 'Here We Are', 'The Prom', and 'Let Them All Talk'
In 2020, Meryl Streep voiced a role in 'Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth' and had leading roles in 'The Prom' and 'Let Them All Talk', both released by streaming services.
2020: Let Them All Talk
In 2020, Streep starred in the film Let Them All Talk.
2021: Role in 'Don't Look Up'
In 2021, Meryl Streep starred in 'Don't Look Up' as the fictional President of the United States.
2022: Executive Producer for 'Sell/Buy/Date'
In 2022, Meryl Streep served as an executive producer on 'Sell/Buy/Date', directed by Sarah Jones.
June 2023: SAG-AFTRA Letter
In June 2023, Streep was reported as one of many A-List members of the SAG-AFTRA who signed a letter threatening to strike.
2023: Roles in 'Extrapolations' and 'Only Murders in the Building'
In 2023, Meryl Streep acted in the Apple TV+ anthology series 'Extrapolations' and played Loretta Durkin in the third season of 'Only Murders in the Building'.
2023: Only Murders in the Building Role
In 2023, Meryl Streep took a role in the Hulu comedy-mystery series Only Murders in the Building.
2025: SNL 50th Anniversary Special Appearance
In 2025, Meryl Streep attended the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special and acted in an alien abduction skit.
