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 and mastery of accents. Often hailed as the "best actress of her generation," she has garnered numerous awards throughout her five-decade career. These include three Academy Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, eight Golden Globe Awards, four Emmy Awards, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. In addition to her acting achievements, she has also received nominations for seven Grammy Awards and a Tony Award, underscoring her widespread artistic talent.
1962: Influence of Mamma Roma
In 1995, prior to filming The Bridges of Madison County, Meryl Streep viewed Pier Paolo Pasolini's Mamma Roma from 1962 as an influence for her portrayal.
1975: First professional job and move to New York City
In 1975, Meryl Streep had her first professional job at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's National Playwrights Conference and moved to New York City, where she was cast in Trelawny of the Wells.
1975: Stage Debut in Trelawny of the Wells
In 1975, Meryl Streep made her stage debut in Trelawny of the Wells.
1976: Broadway productions
In 1976, Meryl Streep was in the Broadway theatre productions A Memory of Two Mondays and 27 Wagons Full of Cotton.
1976: Impact of Taxi Driver and Broadway Appearances
In 1976, Robert De Niro's performance in Taxi Driver profoundly impacted Meryl Streep. She also appeared in the 1976 double bill of Tennessee Williams' 27 Wagons Full of Cotton and Arthur Miller's A Memory of Two Mondays on Broadway.
1977: First Feature Film Role in Julia
In 1977, Meryl Streep had her first feature film role opposite Jane Fonda 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, which helped establish her as a respected actress.
1977: Performing in 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 release and Broadway Debut
In 1977, Meryl Streep starred in the film Julia and made her Broadway debut in A Memory of Two Mondays and The Cherry Orchard.
May 1978: Starred in 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: Role in The Deer Hunter
In 1978, Meryl Streep played a role in The Deer Hunter, which exposed her to a wider audience and earned her an Academy Award nomination.
1978: The Deer Hunter release and Holocaust miniseries
In 1978, Meryl Streep starred in The Deer Hunter and the miniseries Holocaust.
1978: Won Primetime Emmy Award for Holocaust
In 1978, Meryl Streep won a Primetime Emmy Award for her role in the miniseries Holocaust.
1979: Role in The Seduction of Joe Tynan and Manhattan
In 1979, Meryl Streep appeared in The Seduction of Joe Tynan and Manhattan, continuing her work in film.
1979: Workshopping Alice in Concert
In 1979, Meryl Streep began workshopping Alice in Concert, a musical version of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
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: Kramer vs. Kramer release
In 1979, Meryl Streep starred in Kramer vs. Kramer.
1979: Southern American accent in The Seduction of Joe Tynan
In 1979, Meryl Streep used a southern American accent in The Seduction of Joe Tynan.
1979: Won 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 her role in Kramer vs. Kramer.
December 1980: Performed in Alice in Concert
In December 1980, Meryl Streep performed in Alice in Concert at New York's Public Theater.
1981: Leading role in The French Lieutenant's Woman
In 1981, Meryl Streep played her first leading role in The French Lieutenant's Woman, acting alongside Jeremy Irons. She developed an English accent for the part but felt like a misfit. The role earned her a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.
1981: The French Lieutenant's Woman release
In 1981, Meryl Streep starred in The French Lieutenant's Woman.
1981: Expressing concerns about acting career
In a 1981 interview, Meryl Streep commented on the limited opportunities for actresses in their mid-forties, especially when balancing a family.
1982: Polish accent in Sophie's Choice
For her role in the film Sophie's Choice in 1982, Meryl Streep spoke both English and German with a Polish accent, as well as Polish itself.
1982: Sophie's Choice release
In 1982, Meryl Streep starred in Sophie's Choice.
1982: Starring in Still of the Night and Sophie's Choice
In 1982, Meryl Streep starred in the psychological thriller Still of the Night, co-starring Roy Scheider and Jessica Tandy, and also in the drama Sophie's Choice. Her performance in Sophie's Choice, portraying a Polish survivor of Auschwitz, drew praise for her emotional depth and Polish accent.
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: Portraying Karen Silkwood in Silkwood
In 1983, Meryl Streep portrayed the non-fictional character Karen Silkwood in the biographical film Silkwood. She met with people close to Silkwood to prepare for the role. Critics like Jack Kroll considered her characterization to be brilliant.
1984: Starred in Silkwood
In 1984, Meryl Streep starred in Silkwood, which added to her reputation for taking on diverse roles.
1984: Acting in Falling in Love
In 1984, Meryl Streep starred opposite Robert De Niro in the romance Falling in Love, which was not well-received.
1985: Portraying a fighter in Plenty
In 1985, Meryl Streep portrayed a fighter for the French Resistance during World War II in the British drama Plenty. Roger Ebert noted her great subtlety in the role.
1985: Starring in Out of Africa
In 1985, Meryl Streep starred as Karen Blixen in Out of Africa, opposite Robert Redford. The film was a significant commercial success and won a Golden Globe for Best Picture and an Academy Award for Best Picture, with Streep receiving another Academy Award nomination. Stanley Kauffmann praised her performance as being at the highest level of acting in film today.
1986: Co-starring in Heartburn
In 1986, Meryl Streep co-starred with Jack Nicholson in the drama Heartburn.
1987: Starring in Ironweed
In 1987, Meryl Streep starred in Ironweed, in which she sang onscreen for the first time since 1977.
1987: Acting method statement
In 1987, Meryl Streep stated that she has no particular method when it comes to acting, learning from her early studies that she cannot articulate her practice, making it more dangerous and exciting.
1987: Upstate New York accent in Ironweed
In 1987, Meryl Streep used an Upstate New York accent in Ironweed.
1988: Australian/New Zealand accent in Evil Angels
In 1988, Meryl Streep developed a hybrid of Australian and New Zealand English for her role in Evil Angels (A Cry in the Dark). She received the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actress.
1988: A Cry in the Dark release
In 1988, Meryl Streep starred in A Cry in the Dark.
1988: Starring in Evil Angels
In 1988, Meryl Streep starred in Evil Angels, playing Lindy Chamberlain. She won the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actress, Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival, and the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress.
1989: Dropping out of Evita and starring in She-Devil
In 1989, Meryl Streep dropped out of Oliver Stone's adaption of Evita due to a salary dispute. She then starred in the comedy She-Devil, a satire that parodied societal obsession with beauty and cosmetic surgery.
1990: Postcards from the Edge
In 1990, Carrie Fisher wrote the screenplay for Meryl Streep's film Postcards from the Edge, based on Fisher's book.
1990: Keynote speaker at Screen Actor's Guild National Women's Conference
In 1990, Meryl Streep was the keynote speaker at the Screen Actor's Guild National Women's Conference. She emphasized the decline in women's work opportunities, pay parity, and role models within the film industry, criticizing the film industry for downplaying the importance of women both on and off screen.
1991: Defending Your Life release
In 1991, Meryl Streep starred in Defending Your Life.
1991: Starring in Defending Your Life
In 1991, Meryl Streep starred in the comedy-fantasy Defending Your Life.
1992: Starring in Death Becomes Her
In 1992, Meryl Streep starred in the black comedy Death Becomes Her with Goldie Hawn and Bruce Willis. The filming was long, and Streep disliked filming the scenes involving heavy special effects.
1993: Starring 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 received negative reviews.
1995: Starred in The Bridges of Madison County
In 1995, Meryl Streep starred in The Bridges of Madison County, continuing to showcase her dramatic range.
1995: The Bridges of Madison County release
In 1995, Meryl Streep starred in The Bridges of Madison County.
1996: Marvin's Room Release
In 1996, Meryl Streep starred as Lee in "Marvin's Room", an adaptation of Scott McPherson's play, portraying the estranged sister of Bessie (Diane Keaton). Streep recommended Keaton for the role, and her performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination.
1997: ...First Do No Harm release
In 1997, Meryl Streep starred in the television film ...First Do No Harm.
1998: Performances in Dancing at Lughnasa and One True Thing
In 1998, Meryl Streep appeared in "Dancing at Lughnasa", an adaptation of a play. Also in 1998, she played a housewife dying of cancer in "One True Thing", receiving positive reviews for her performance.
1999: Music of the Heart Release
In 1999, Meryl Streep starred as Roberta Guaspari in "Music of the Heart", receiving nominations for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a Screen Actors Guild Award for her performance.
2002: Adaptation. and The Hours Releases
In 2002, Meryl Streep portrayed Susan Orlean in "Adaptation.", winning a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress. She also appeared in "The Hours" alongside Nicole Kidman and Julianne Moore, earning a Silver Bear for Best Actress with her co-stars.
2003: Angels in America Release
In 2003, Meryl Streep starred in HBO's adaptation of "Angels in America", winning her second Emmy Award and fifth Golden Globe for her performance in multiple roles.
2003: Won Primetime Emmy Award for Angels in America
In 2003, Meryl Streep won another Primetime Emmy Award for her role in the miniseries Angels in America.
2004: Releases of The Manchurian Candidate and Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
In 2004, Meryl Streep co-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. Streep also narrated the film "Monet's Palate" in 2004.
2005: Prime Release
In 2005, Meryl Streep starred in the comedy "Prime" as Lisa Metzger, a psychoanalyst. The film was a modest success, grossing US$67.9 million internationally.
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. The Public Theater production featured a new translation by playwright Tony Kushner, with songs in the Weill/Brecht style written by composer Jeanine Tesori; veteran director George C. Wolfe was at the helm. Also in 2006, Streep starred in A Prairie Home Companion.
2006: Most Famous Scene in Sophie's Choice
In 2006, Emma Brockes of The Guardian noted that Streep's most famous scene is from Sophie's Choice, where her character is forced to choose which of her two children will be gassed at Auschwitz.
2006: The Devil Wears Prada Release
In 2006, Meryl Streep starred in "The Devil Wears Prada" as Miranda Priestly, earning critical acclaim and a record-setting 14th Oscar nomination and another Golden Globe nomination. The film became her biggest commercial success, grossing over US$326.5 million worldwide.
2006: Starred in The Devil Wears Prada
In 2006, Meryl Streep starred in the comedic film The Devil Wears Prada, showcasing her versatility in different genres.
2006: Minnesota accent in A Prairie Home Companion
In 2006, Meryl Streep used a Minnesota accent in A Prairie Home Companion.
2007: Releases of Evening and Lions for Lambs
In 2007, Meryl Streep appeared in "Evening" alongside her daughter Mamie Gummer and in "Lions for Lambs" with Robert Redford. Both films received lukewarm reviews.
2007: The Devil Wears Prada release
In 2007, Meryl Streep starred in The Devil Wears Prada.
October 2008: Mamma Mia song rose to 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
In 2008, "Dark Matter", starring Meryl Streep, received a limited release and garnered negative to mixed reviews after being shelved in 2007.
2008: Doubt Release
In 2008, Meryl Streep starred in "Doubt", a drama set in 1964, receiving critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination.
2008: Starred in Doubt and Mamma Mia!
In 2008, Meryl Streep starred in both the dramatic film Doubt and the comedic musical Mamma Mia!
2008: Bronx accent in Doubt
In 2008, Meryl Streep used a heavy Bronx accent in Doubt.
2008: Praise for performance in Plenty
In 2008, Molly Haskell praised Meryl Streep's performance in Plenty, believing it to be one of her most difficult, ambiguous, and feminist roles.
2009: Julie & Julia and It's Complicated Releases
In 2009, Meryl Streep starred as Julia Child in "Julie & Julia" and in "It's Complicated". She won a Golden Globe for "Julie & Julia" and received her 16th Oscar nomination for it. She also lent her voice to Mrs. Felicity Fox in Fantastic Mr. Fox.
2009: Fantastic Mr. Fox release
In 2009, Meryl Streep starred in Fantastic Mr. Fox.
2009: Starred in Julie & Julia and It's Complicated
In 2009, Meryl Streep starred in both Julie & Julia and It's Complicated, further demonstrating her comedic skills.
2010: Awarded National Medal of Arts
In 2010, President Barack Obama awarded Meryl Streep the National Medal of Arts.
2011: Starring in The Iron Lady
In 2011, Meryl Streep starred in "The Iron Lady", a British biographical film about Margaret Thatcher, directed by Phyllida Lloyd. The film focuses on Thatcher during the Falklands War and her retirement years. Streep's portrayal of Thatcher earned her several awards, including her third Academy Award. However, the film and Streep's performance also faced criticism from Thatcher's associates for being "inaccurate" and "biased".
2011: Academy Award for The Iron Lady
In 2011, Meryl Streep won her third Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady.
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 film directed by David Frankel, alongside Tommy Lee Jones and Steve Carell. Streep and Jones played a middle-aged couple attending marriage counseling. The film received mostly positive reviews, especially for the actors' performances.
2013: Starring in August: Osage County
In 2013, Meryl Streep starred in "August: Osage County", a black comedy drama alongside Julia Roberts and Ewan McGregor. Based on Tracy Letts's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Streep played the family's matriarch and received positive reviews, along with Golden Globe, SAG, and Academy Award nominations.
July 2014: Announcement of Master Class project
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: Starring in The Giver and The Homesman
In 2014, Meryl Streep appeared in "The Giver", a film adaptation of the young adult novel, playing a community leader. Also in 2014, she had a role in the period drama film "The Homesman", playing a preacher's wife.
2014: Establishment of scholarships at the University of Massachusetts Lowell
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: Starred in Into the Woods
In 2014, Meryl Streep starred in Into the Woods, expanding her repertoire with a role in a musical fantasy film.
2014: The Homesman release
In 2014, Meryl Streep starred in The Homesman.
2014: Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
In 2014, President Barack Obama awarded Meryl Streep the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
April 2015: Funding of screenwriters lab for female screenwriters
In April 2015, Meryl Streep funded a screenwriters lab for female screenwriters over forty years old, called the Writers Lab, run by New York Women in Film & Television and the collective IRIS.
2015: Starring in Ricki and the Flash and Suffragette
In 2015, Meryl Streep starred in Jonathan Demme's "Ricki and the Flash", playing a rock musician, and in Sarah Gavron's "Suffragette" as Emmeline Pankhurst. Streep learned to play the guitar for her role in "Ricki and the Flash".
March 2016: Signing letter for gender equality
In March 2016, Meryl Streep, along with others, signed a letter asking for gender equality throughout the world, in observance of International Women's Day; this was organized by One Campaign.
2016: Speech at Democratic National Convention
In 2016, Meryl Streep gave 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 Stephen Frears-directed biopic about an opera singer with no sense of tone. Streep received the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actress in a Comedy for this role, and also received Academy Award, Golden Globe, SAG, and BAFTA nominations.
2016: Florence Foster Jenkins release
In 2016, Meryl Streep starred in Florence Foster Jenkins.
January 2017: Cecil B. DeMille Award at Golden Globes
In January 2017, Viola Davis presented Meryl Streep with the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes. Streep quoted Carrie Fisher in her acceptance speech.
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 Mustafa Nayyem holding a "Free Sentsov" sign at the PEN America Annual Literary Gala on April 25, where Sentsov was honored.
2017: Starring in The Post
In 2017, Meryl Streep starred as Katharine Graham in Steven Spielberg's political drama "The Post", about The Washington Post's publication of the Pentagon Papers. Streep received her 31st Golden Globe nomination and 21st Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
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: Little Women and Big Little Lies release
In 2019, Meryl Streep starred in Little Women and Big Little Lies.
2019: Starring in Big Little Lies and The Laundromat
In 2019, Meryl Streep starred in the second season of the HBO drama series "Big Little Lies" and in "The Laundromat", distributed by Netflix. She also played Aunt March in Greta Gerwig's "Little Women".
2019: Role in Big Little Lies
In 2019, Meryl Streep took a role in the HBO drama series Big Little Lies.
2020: Let Them All Talk release
In 2020, Meryl Streep starred in Let Them All Talk.
2021: Starring in Don't Look Up
In 2021, Meryl Streep starred opposite Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence in Adam McKay's "Don't Look Up" for Netflix, playing the fictional President of the United States.
2022: Executive producer on Sell/Buy/Date
In 2022, Meryl Streep served as an executive producer on Sarah Jones's "Sell/Buy/Date".
June 2023: SAG-AFTRA strike threat
In June 2023, Meryl Streep was reported as one of many A-List members of the SAG-AFTRA who signed a letter threatening to strike.
2023: Acting 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". She received a Golden Globe, and Primetime Emmy Award nomination and won a Critics' Choice Television Award for her performance.
2023: Role in Only Murders in the Building
In 2023, Meryl Streep appeared in the Hulu comedy-mystery series Only Murders in the Building.
2025: Appearance in Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special
In 2025, Meryl Streep attended the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special, marking her first SNL appearance in which she acted in an alien abduction skit.
Mentioned in this timeline
Home Box Office HBO is a flagship American pay television...
Donald John Trump is an American politician media personality and...
Steven Spielberg is a highly successful American filmmaker who played...
Apple TV is a digital media player and microconsole by...
Saturday Night Live SNL is a late-night live sketch comedy...
Viola Davis is a highly acclaimed American actress and film...
Trending
47 minutes ago Josh Bell's Big Night: Solo Homer and Multi-Hit Game ignite Hopes
48 minutes ago XXXTentacion & Juice WRLD song release in Fortnite: X Takeover on May 30th
48 minutes ago Clipse Reunites After 15 Years, Drops 'Ace Trumpets,' Announces Pharrell-Produced Album
48 minutes ago Tory Lanez Case: New Bodycam Footage and 'Suppressed Evidence' in Megan Thee Stallion Shooting.
2 hours ago Burt Reynolds' best performance highlighted, Ena Hartman ('Dan August') sadly passed away at 93.
2 days ago Tom Thibodeau's Coaching Flexibility, Brunson's Fight, and O'Neal's Defense on Knicks.
Popular
Steve Irwin the Crocodile Hunter was an influential Australian zookeeper...
Cristiano Ronaldo often called CR is a Portuguese professional footballer...
LeBron James nicknamed King James is a professional basketball player...
Donald John Trump is an American politician media personality and...
Jupiter is the fifth and largest planet from the Sun...
Rahm Emanuel is an American politician and diplomat He served...