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 renowned for her versatility and mastery of accents. Often hailed as one of the greatest actresses of her generation, her career spans over five decades. She has garnered numerous awards, including three Academy Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, eight Golden Globe Awards, four Emmy Awards, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. Streep has also received nominations for seven Grammy Awards and a Tony Award, demonstrating her wide-ranging talent and impact on the entertainment industry.
1962: Inspiration from Mamma Roma
In preparation for her role in The Bridges of Madison County (1995), Meryl Streep viewed Pier Paolo Pasolini's Mamma Roma (1962) for inspiration.
1964: Release of "Mary Poppins"
In 2018, Meryl Streep starred in "Mary Poppins Returns", a sequel to the 1964 film "Mary Poppins" starring Emily Blunt.
1969: Starred in Miss Julie at Vassar College
In 1969, Meryl Streep starred in the play Miss Julie at Vassar College, which gained her attention across the campus, marking a significant moment in her early acting career.
1971: Received AB in Drama Cum Laude
In 1971, Meryl Streep received her AB degree in drama cum laude from Vassar College, marking a significant achievement in her formal education.
1975: First Professional Jobs and Move to New York City
In 1975, Meryl Streep had her first professional jobs at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's National Playwrights Conference and moved to New York City, marking the start of her professional acting career and her transition to the New York theater scene.
1975: Stage Debut in Trelawny of the Wells
In 1975, Meryl Streep made her stage debut in Trelawny of the Wells, marking the beginning of her professional acting career.
1975: Received MFA in Drama from Yale
In 1975, Meryl Streep received her MFA in drama from Yale, marking the culmination of her formal training in acting.
1976: A Memory of Two Mondays, 27 Wagons Full of Cotton
In 1976, Meryl Streep appeared in the Broadway theatre productions A Memory of Two Mondays and 27 Wagons Full of Cotton.
1976: Unsuccessful Audition for King Kong and Broadway Appearances
In 1976, Meryl Streep had an unsuccessful audition for King Kong. She also continued to work on Broadway, appearing in the double bill of 27 Wagons Full of Cotton and A Memory of Two Mondays.
1977: First Feature Film Role in Julia
In 1977, Meryl Streep had her first feature film role opposite Jane Fonda in Julia, though her scenes were largely edited out, leading to initial disappointment with film acting.
1977: Great Performances telecast of the Phoenix Theater production of Secret Service
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 and The Cherry Orchard
In 1977, Meryl Streep starred in the film Julia, and appeared in The Cherry Orchard on Broadway.
May 1978: Uncommon Women and Others
In May 1978, Meryl Streep played the supporting role of Leilah in Wendy Wasserstein's Uncommon Women and Others for PBS's Great Performances.
1978: The Deer Hunter and Holocaust
In 1978, Meryl Streep appeared in The Deer Hunter and Holocaust miniseries.
1978: The Deer Hunter
In 1978, Meryl Streep appeared in The Deer Hunter. This role contributed to her critical acclaim for diverse roles in dramatic films.
1978: Emmy Award for Holocaust
In 1978, Meryl Streep won a Primetime Emmy Award for her role in the miniseries Holocaust, marking her first major television award.
1979: Roles in The Seduction of Joe Tynan and Manhattan
In 1979, Meryl Streep appeared in The Seduction of Joe Tynan and Manhattan. Streep later said that Allen did not provide her with a complete script for Manhattan, giving her only the six pages of her own scenes, and did not permit her to improvise a word of her dialogue.
1979: Workshop for Alice in Concert
In 1979, Meryl Streep began workshopping Alice in Concert, a musical version of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, 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 as a troubled wife in Kramer vs. Kramer, marking a significant achievement in her career.
1979: Kramer vs. Kramer
In 1979, Meryl Streep starred in Kramer vs. Kramer.
1979: Golden Globe and Academy Award for Kramer vs. Kramer
In 1979, Meryl Streep won the Golden Globe Award and the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Kramer vs. Kramer, solidifying her status as a prominent actress.
December 1980: Alice in Concert at the Public Theater
In December 1980, Alice in Concert, a musical version of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, was performed at New York's Public Theater, with Meryl Streep as the production's "one wonder".
1981: Leading role in The French Lieutenant's Woman
In 1981, Meryl Streep played her first leading role in The French Lieutenant's Woman, a story within a story. She starred alongside Jeremy Irons as contemporary actors enacting both a modern story and a Victorian era drama. Streep developed an English accent for the role, despite feeling like a misfit. The media coverage was described by Streep as "excessive hype".
1982: Re-unites with Robert Benton for Still of the Night
In 1982, Meryl Streep re-united with Robert Benton for the psychological thriller, Still of the Night, co-starring Roy Scheider and Jessica Tandy. The film was an homage to Alfred Hitchcock's works, however, the chemistry between Streep and Scheider was lacking.
1982: Starred in Sophie's Choice
In 1982, Meryl Streep starred in Sophie's Choice, portraying a Polish survivor of Auschwitz in a love triangle. Her emotional performance and Polish accent were highly praised. Streep filmed the emotionally exhausting "choice" scene in one take.
1982: Academy Award for Sophie's Choice
In 1982, Meryl Streep won her second Academy Award, this time for Best Actress, for portraying a Holocaust survivor in Sophie's Choice, further solidifying her reputation as a leading actress.
1983: Portrayal of Karen Silkwood in Silkwood
In 1983, Meryl Streep played Karen Silkwood, a nuclear whistleblower, in the biographical film Silkwood. Streep connected with Silkwood personally and met with people close to her, realizing each person perceived her differently. Her portrayal was considered "brilliant" by Newsweek, although Pauline Kael believed she was miscast.
1984: Silkwood
In 1984, Meryl Streep starred in Silkwood. This role contributed to her critical acclaim for diverse roles in dramatic films.
1984: Starred in Falling in Love
In 1984, Meryl Streep starred opposite Robert De Niro in the romance Falling in Love, which was poorly received.
1985: Starred in Plenty and Out of Africa
In 1985, Meryl Streep starred in the British drama Plenty as a fighter for the French Resistance during World War II. Roger Ebert praised her subtle portrayal of an unbalanced woman. She also starred in Out of Africa as Karen Blixen, which established her as a Hollywood superstar.
1986: Co-starred in Heartburn
In 1986, Meryl Streep co-starred with Jack Nicholson in the drama Heartburn.
1987: Streep Describes Her Acting Method
In 1987, Meryl Streep discussed her approach to acting, describing it as a collection of techniques learned from various teachers, emphasizing the role of danger and excitement in her process.
1988: Starred in Evil Angels
In 1988, Meryl Streep starred in Evil Angels as Lindy Chamberlain, an Australian woman convicted of her infant daughter's murder. Filmed in Australia, Streep won several awards for her performance. Vincent Canby of The New York Times called her performance "another stunning performance".
1989: Dropped out of Evita and starred in She-Devil
In 1989, Meryl Streep lobbied for the lead role in Evita but dropped out due to a salary dispute. She then starred in She-Devil, a satire about societal obsession with beauty, which marked a departure from her dramatic roles. Richard Corliss of Time wrote that Streep was the "one reason" to see it.
1990: Spoke at 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. She criticized the film industry for downplaying the importance of women.
1990: Starred in Postcards from the Edge
In 1990, Meryl Streep starred in Postcards from the Edge, a comedy-drama.
1990: Postcards from the Edge film
In 1990, Meryl Streep starred in the film Postcards from the Edge, for which Carrie Fisher wrote the screenplay, based on her book.
1991: Starred in Defending Your Life
In 1991, Meryl Streep starred in Defending Your Life, a comedy-fantasy.
1992: Starred in Death Becomes Her
In 1992, Meryl Streep starred with Goldie Hawn in the black comedy, Death Becomes Her. The seven-month shoot was the longest of Streep's career. Special prosthetics were designed to age her due to her allergies to cosmetics. Although a commercial success, Streep's contribution to comedy was generally not well-received by critics, and Streep vowed never to work again on a film with heavy special effects.
1993: Appeared in The House of the Spirits
In 1993, Meryl Streep appeared in The House of the Spirits, set in Chile during Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship. The film was not well-received by critics, with some considering it one of the worst performances by the cast.
1996: Marvin's Room Release
In 1996, Meryl Streep starred as the estranged sister in "Marvin's Room", an adaptation of Scott McPherson's play. Streep recommended Diane Keaton for a role in the film. The film was well received, and Streep earned a Golden Globe nomination for her performance.
1997: ...First Do No Harm Nomination
In 1997, Meryl Streep received an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress for her performance in "...First Do No Harm".
1998: Dancing at Lughnasa and One True Thing Release
In 1998, Meryl Streep appeared in "Dancing at Lughnasa", an adaptation of the Broadway play. She also played a housewife dying of cancer in the movie "One True Thing", which received positive reviews.
1999: Music of the Heart Release
In 1999, Meryl Streep starred in the music drama "Music of the Heart", receiving nominations for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a Screen Actors Guild Award for her performance.
December 11, 2001: Nobel Peace Prize Concert
On December 11, 2001, Meryl Streep co-hosted the annual Nobel Peace Prize Concert with Liam Neeson in Oslo, Norway, to honor the United Nations and Kofi Annan.
2002: Adaptation. and The Hours Release
In 2002, Meryl Streep starred in "Adaptation.", portraying Susan Orlean, and won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress. She also appeared in "The Hours" alongside Nicole Kidman and Julianne Moore, and they jointly won a Silver Bear for Best Actress.
2003: Angels in America HBO adaptation
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 in multiple roles.
2003: Angels in America
In 2003, Meryl Streep starred in the miniseries Angels in America.
2003: Emmy Award for Angels in America
In 2003, Meryl Streep won another Primetime Emmy Award for her role in the miniseries Angels in America, adding to her accolades for television work.
2004: The Manchurian Candidate Remake and Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events Releases
In 2004, Meryl Streep starred in "The Manchurian Candidate" remake and played Aunt Josephine in "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events", which won an Academy Award for Best Makeup. She also narrated the film "Monet's Palate".
2005: Prime Release
In 2005, Meryl Streep starred in the comedy film "Prime", playing a psychoanalyst. The film was a modest commercial success.
September 2006: Mother Courage and Her Children Performance
In August and September 2006, Meryl Streep starred in The Public Theater's production of "Mother Courage and Her Children" at the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park. Around the same time, she starred in Robert Altman's final film, "A Prairie Home Companion".
2006: The Devil Wears Prada Release
In 2006, Meryl Streep starred in "The Devil Wears Prada", earning critical acclaim and a record-setting 14th Oscar nomination. The film became her biggest commercial success at the time.
April 2007: Dark Matter Shelved
In April 2007, the release of "Dark Matter", in which Meryl Streep portrayed a wealthy university patron, was shelved out of respect for the victims of the Virginia Tech shooting.
2007: Evening and Lions for Lambs Releases
In 2007, Meryl Streep appeared in "Evening" alongside her daughter Mamie Gummer and starred in "Lions for Lambs" with Robert Redford. Both films received lukewarm reviews.
2007: The Devil Wears Prada
In 2007, Meryl Streep starred in The Devil Wears Prada.
October 2008: "Mamma Mia" song popularity and Grammy Nomination
In October 2008, after Streep starred in Mamma Mia!, her rendition of the titular song rose to popularity on the Portuguese music charts, peaking at number eight. Additionally, in 2008, Streep was nominated for a Grammy Award for her work on the Mamma Mia! soundtrack.
2008: Mamma Mia! Release
In 2008, Meryl Streep starred in "Mamma Mia!", a film adaptation of the musical based on ABBA's songs. It became her highest-grossing film to date, earning her another Golden Globe nomination.
2008: Doubt and Mamma Mia!
In 2008, Meryl Streep starred in both Doubt and Mamma Mia!. These roles contributed to her critical acclaim for diverse roles in both dramatic and comedic films.
2008: Dark Matter Limited Release
In 2008, the film "Dark Matter" received negative to mixed reviews upon its limited release.
2009: Julie & Julia and It's Complicated Releases
In 2009, Meryl Streep starred in "Julie & Julia" and "It's Complicated", receiving Golden Globe nominations for both. She won the Golden Globe for "Julie & Julia" and received her 16th Oscar nomination for it. She also voiced Mrs. Felicity Fox in "Fantastic Mr. Fox".
2009: Fantastic Mr. Fox
In 2009, Meryl Streep voiced a character in Fantastic Mr. Fox.
2010: National Medal of Arts
In 2010, President Barack Obama awarded Meryl Streep the National Medal of Arts, recognizing her contributions to the arts.
2011: Academy Award for The Iron Lady
In 2011, Meryl Streep received her third Academy Award, winning Best Actress for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady, marking another milestone in her acclaimed career.
2011: Release of "The Iron Lady"
In 2011, Meryl Streep starred in "The Iron Lady", a biographical film about Margaret Thatcher. She portrayed Thatcher during the Falklands War and her retirement years. Streep's performance was highly praised, earning her awards, although the film received mixed reviews.
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: Starring in "Hope Springs"
In 2012, Meryl Streep starred in "Hope Springs", a romantic comedy-drama. She played a middle-aged woman attending marriage counseling with her husband, played by Tommy Lee Jones. The film received mostly positive reviews.
2013: Starring in "August: Osage County"
In 2013, Meryl Streep starred in "August: Osage County," a black comedy-drama. Streep played the matriarch of a dysfunctional family and received positive reviews, along with Golden Globe, SAG, and Academy Award nominations.
2013: August: Osage County
In 2013, Meryl Streep starred in August: Osage County. This role contributed to her critical acclaim for diverse roles in dramatic films.
July 2014: Announcement of Streep as Maria Callas
In July 2014, it was announced that Meryl Streep would portray Maria Callas in Master Class, but the project was later pulled after director Mike Nichols's death in November of the same year.
2014: Establishment of scholarships at UMass Lowell
In 2014, Meryl Streep established two scholarships at the University of Massachusetts Lowell: the Meryl Streep Endowed Scholarship for English majors, and the Joan Hertzberg Endowed Scholarship for math majors.
2014: Roles in "The Giver" and "The Homesman"
In 2014, Meryl Streep played a community leader in "The Giver", a film adaptation of a young adult novel set in 2048. She also had a role as a preacher's wife in the period drama film "The Homesman".
2014: Presidential Medal of Freedom
In 2014, President Barack Obama awarded Meryl Streep the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.
April 2015: Funding of the Writers Lab
In April 2015, Meryl Streep funded a screenwriters lab for female screenwriters over forty years old, called the Writers Lab.
2015: Humanist views and support for the Equal Rights Amendment
In 2015, Meryl Streep identified as a humanist and supported the Equal Rights Amendment, sending letters to members of U.S. Congress with the book "Equal Means Equal".
2015: Starring in "Ricki and the Flash" and "Suffragette"
In 2015, Meryl Streep starred in "Ricki and the Flash", playing a rock musician and grocery store checkout worker. She also 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.
2016: Democratic National Convention Speech
In 2016, Meryl Streep delivered a speech at the Democratic National Convention in support of presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.
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 for her performance and received Academy Award, Golden Globe, SAG, and BAFTA nominations.
2016: Florence Foster Jenkins
In 2016, Meryl Streep starred in Florence Foster Jenkins.
April 25, 2017: Streep Backs Campaign to Free Oleg Sentsov
On April 25, 2017, Meryl Streep publicly supported the campaign to free Oleg Sentsov, a Ukrainian filmmaker, who was jailed in Siberia. She was photographed with Ukrainian lawmaker Mustafa Nayyem at the PEN America Annual Literary Gala, holding a "Free Sentsov" sign where Sentsov received the 2017 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write award.
2017: Starring 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. The film received positive reviews and earned Streep multiple nominations.
2017: The Post
In 2017, Meryl Streep starred in The Post. This role contributed to her critical acclaim for diverse roles in dramatic films.
2018: Roles in "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again" and "Mary Poppins Returns", Time's Up initiative
In 2018, Meryl Streep briefly reprised her role in "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again" and played a supporting role in "Mary Poppins Returns". She also collaborated with 300 women to set up the Time's Up initiative.
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.
2019: Little Women and Big Little Lies
In 2019, Meryl Streep starred in Little Women and the drama series Big Little Lies.
2019: Main role in "Big Little Lies" and "The Laundromat", and "Little Women"
In 2019, Meryl Streep starred in the second season of the HBO drama series "Big Little Lies". She also starred in the Netflix movie "The Laundromat" and played Aunt March in Greta Gerwig's "Little Women".
2020: Let Them All Talk
In 2020, Meryl Streep starred in Let Them All Talk.
2021: Starring in "Don't Look Up"
In 2021, Meryl Streep starred in "Don't Look Up" for Netflix, playing a comical role as the President of the United States.
2022: Executive Producer on "Sell/Buy/Date"
In 2022, Meryl Streep served as an executive producer on "Sell/Buy/Date", directed by Sarah Jones.
2023: Roles in "Extrapolations" and "Only Murders in the Building"
In 2023, Meryl Streep acted in the Apple TV+ anthology series "Extrapolations", and began playing Loretta Durkin in the Hulu comedy series "Only Murders in the Building".
2023: Role in Only Murders in the Building
In 2023, Meryl Streep appeared in the Hulu comedy-mystery series Only Murders in the Building, further diversifying her roles in television.
2025: First SNL Appearance
In 2025, Meryl Streep attended the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special, in which she acted in an alien abduction skit portraying the mother of Colleen Rafferty, played by Kate McKinnon. It marked Streep's first SNL appearance.
2048: Setting of "The Giver"
The social science fiction film "The Giver", in which Meryl Streep played a community leader, is set in 2048. The movie recounts the story of a post-apocalyptic community without war, pain, suffering, differences or choice, where a young boy is chosen to learn about the real world.
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