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, technical skills, mastery of dialects, and enduring career. A Vassar College and Yale School of Drama alumna, Streep's artistic approach involves developing characters with psychological depth and agency. Beyond acting, she is a vocal advocate for gender equality, labor rights, and challenging the male gaze in the film industry.
1969: Starred in Miss Julie at Vassar College
In 1969, Meryl Streep starred in the play Miss Julie at Vassar College, gaining attention across the campus.
1975: Professional Stage Debut
In 1975, Meryl Streep began her professional stage career in Trelawny of the Wells.
1975: Early Career at Eugene O'Neill Theater Center and Move to NYC
In 1975, Meryl Streep worked 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.
1976: Broadway Debut and King Kong Audition
In 1976, Meryl Streep worked on Broadway and had an unsuccessful audition for King Kong. Robert De Niro's performance in Taxi Driver profoundly impacted her. She received a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Play for 27 Wagons Full of Cotton and A Memory of Two Mondays.
1977: Film Debut in Julia
In 1977, Meryl Streep transitioned to film with a role in Julia.
1977: First Feature Film Role in Julia
In 1977, Meryl Streep's first feature film role came in Julia, but most of her scenes were edited out, leading her to initially dislike film acting.
May 1978: Theater in America Production
In May 1978, Meryl Streep played Leilah in Wendy Wasserstein's Uncommon Women and Others for PBS's Great Performances.
1978: Academy Award Nomination for The Deer Hunter
In 1978, Meryl Streep received her first Academy Award nomination for her role in The Deer Hunter.
1978: Cast in The Deer Hunter
In 1978, Robert De Niro suggested Meryl Streep for a role in The Deer Hunter, and she accepted the role to stay with John Cazale, who had been diagnosed with lung cancer, during filming. She earned a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role.
1979: Roles in The Seduction of Joe Tynan and Manhattan
In 1979, Meryl Streep accepted a role in The Seduction of Joe Tynan and played a supporting role in Manhattan for Woody Allen.
1979: Began Workshopping Alice in Concert
In 1979, Meryl Streep began workshopping Alice in Concert, a musical version of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
1979: First Oscar Win for Kramer vs. Kramer
In 1979, Meryl Streep won her first Oscar for her performance in Kramer vs. Kramer after advocating to rewrite her character's courtroom testimony.
1979: Awards for Kramer vs. Kramer and The Deer Hunter
In 1979, Meryl Streep won the Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Kramer vs. Kramer. Both The Deer Hunter and Kramer vs. Kramer were major commercial successes and won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
December 1980: Alice in Concert at New York's Public Theater
In December 1980, Alice in Concert, a musical version of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, was put on at New York's Public Theater.
1981: Leading Role in The French Lieutenant's Woman
In 1981, Meryl Streep starred in The French Lieutenant's Woman.
1982: Still of the Night and Sophie's Choice
In 1982, Meryl Streep reunited with Robert Benton for the psychological thriller, Still of the Night. Also in 1982, Streep achieved greater success starring in the drama Sophie's Choice, where she portrayed a Polish survivor of Auschwitz. Her performance and Polish accent received high praise.
1982: Leading Role in Sophie's Choice
In 1982, Meryl Streep starred in Sophie's Choice.
1983: Portrayal of Karen Silkwood in Silkwood
In 1983, Meryl Streep played her first non-fictional character, Karen Silkwood, in Mike Nichols' biographical film Silkwood. She researched Silkwood extensively and connected personally with the role. Critics like Jack Kroll praised her characterization, while others had mixed opinions.
1984: Falling in Love release
In 1984, Meryl Streep starred opposite Robert De Niro in the romance Falling in Love, which was poorly received.
1985: Plenty and Out of Africa
In 1985, Meryl Streep portrayed a fighter for the French Resistance in the British drama Plenty and starred as Karen Blixen in Out of Africa. Plenty received positive reviews for her performance, while Out of Africa became a commercial success, earning Streep an Academy Award nomination.
1985: Out of Africa release
In 1985, Meryl Streep starred as Karen Blixen in Out of Africa, opposite Robert Redford. Despite initial doubts from director Sydney Pollack, Streep impressed him with her honesty. The film was a commercial success and earned Streep another Academy Award nomination.
1986: Co-starring in Heartburn
In 1986, Meryl Streep co-starred with Jack Nicholson in the drama Heartburn.
1987: Co-starring in Ironweed
In 1987, Meryl Streep co-starred with Jack Nicholson in the drama Ironweed.
1988: Best Actress Award at Cannes for A Cry in the Dark
In 1988, Meryl Streep received the Best Actress Award at Cannes for her performance in A Cry in the Dark.
1988: Evil Angels release and Awards
In 1988, Meryl Streep starred in Evil Angels, filmed in Australia. 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 for her performance as Lindy Chamberlain.
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 the comedy She-Devil, a satire that parodied societal obsession with beauty. Despite the film's lack of success, Streep's performance was praised.
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.
1990: Postcards from the Edge release
In 1990, Meryl Streep starred in the comedy-drama Postcards from the Edge.
1991: Defending Your Life release
In 1991, Meryl Streep starred in the comedy-fantasy Defending Your Life.
1992: Death Becomes Her release
In 1992, Meryl Streep starred with Goldie Hawn in the black comedy Death Becomes Her. She contributed to rewriting scenes and endured a lengthy shoot with special effects. Although a commercial success, her comedic performance received mixed reviews, and Streep vowed to avoid films with heavy special effects in the future.
1993: The House of the Spirits release
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: The Bridges of Madison County release
In 1995, Meryl Streep starred in The Bridges of Madison County, directed by Clint Eastwood. She played Francesca, an Italian farm wife. The film was a box office hit and received positive reviews. Critics praised Streep's performance, noting it as a significant role for a middle-aged actress.
1996: Marvin's Room release
In 1996, Meryl Streep played the estranged sister in Marvin's Room. The film was well received, and Streep earned another Golden Globe nomination for her performance.
1997: Emmy Award Nomination for First Do No Harm
In 1997, Meryl Streep received her second Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress – Miniseries or a Movie for her performance in First Do No Harm.
1998: Dancing at Lughnasa and One True Thing Release
In 1998, Meryl Streep starred in Dancing at Lughnasa, adapted from Broadway, and played a housewife dying of cancer in One True Thing. Dancing at Lughnasa was entered into the Venice Film Festival in its release year, while One True Thing received positive reviews.
1999: Music of the Heart Release and Award Nominations
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.
December 11, 2001: Nobel Peace Prize Concert Co-hosting
On December 11, 2001, Meryl Streep co-hosted the annual Nobel Peace Prize Concert with Liam Neeson in Oslo, Norway, honoring the United Nations and Kofi Annan.
2002: Adaptation. and The Hours Release
In 2002, Meryl Streep starred in Adaptation. as Susan Orlean, 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 Miniseries
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.
2004: The Manchurian Candidate and Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events Release
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 the Academy Award for Best Makeup.
2005: Prime Film Release
In 2005, Meryl Streep starred in the comedy film Prime, playing Lisa Metzger, a psychoanalyst.
September 2006: Mother Courage and Her Children Onstage
In September 2006, Meryl Streep starred 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 portrayed a formidable antagonist in the high-grossing mainstream success The Devil Wears Prada.
April 2007: Shelving of Dark Matter
In April 2007, producers shelved the film Dark Matter, starring Meryl Streep, 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 and Lions for Lambs, both films receiving lukewarm reactions from critics despite their talented casts.
October 2008: Mamma Mia! Song Popularity
In October 2008, after 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. At the 35th People's Choice Awards, her version of "Mamma Mia" won an award for "Favorite Song From A Soundtrack".
2008: Mamma Mia! and Doubt
In 2008, Meryl Streep had a singing lead in the musical Mamma Mia! and received critical acclaim for her dramatic turn in Doubt.
2008: Doubt Film Release and Accolades
In 2008, Meryl Streep starred in Doubt, a drama set in 1964, which received critical acclaim and five Academy Awards nominations.
2008: Mamma Mia! Film Release and Success
In 2008, Meryl Streep starred in Mamma Mia!, a film adaptation of the musical based on ABBA's songs. The film became her highest-grossing to date, earning her another Golden Globe nomination.
2008: Dark Matter Limited Release
In 2008, the film Dark Matter, starring Meryl Streep, received a limited release, garnering negative to mixed reviews.
2009: Julie & Julia and It's Complicated Release
In 2009, Meryl Streep starred in Julie & Julia and It's Complicated, receiving Golden Globe nominations for both and winning for Julie & Julia. She also lent her voice to Fantastic Mr. Fox.
2011: Third Academy Award for The Iron Lady
In 2011, Meryl Streep earned her third Academy Award for her performance in The Iron Lady.
2011: The Iron Lady Release and Awards
In 2011, Meryl Streep starred in The Iron Lady as Margaret Thatcher, earning Best Actress awards at the Golden Globes, BAFTAs, and the Academy Awards.
October 4, 2012: Donation to The Public Theater
On October 4, 2012, Meryl Streep donated $1 million to The Public Theater and supports Gucci's "Chime for Change" campaign that aims to spread female empowerment.
2012: Hope Springs Film Release
In 2012, Meryl Streep reunited with director David Frankel to film Hope Springs, a romantic comedy-drama, with Tommy Lee Jones and Steve Carell. Streep and Jones portray a middle-aged couple attending marriage counseling to revive their relationship. The film received mostly positive reviews.
2013: August: Osage County Film Release
In 2013, Meryl Streep starred in August: Osage County alongside Julia Roberts and Ewan McGregor. She received positive reviews for her portrayal of the family's matriarch, who is suffering from oral cancer and an addiction to narcotics, earning her Golden Globe, SAG, and Academy Award nominations.
July 2014: Announcement of Maria Callas portrayal
In July 2014, it was announced that Streep would portray Maria Callas in Master Class; however, the project was pulled after director Mike Nichols's death in November of the same year.
2014: The Giver and The Homesman Film Release
In 2014, Meryl Streep appeared in 'The Giver,' an adaptation of the young adult novel, and 'The Homesman,' a period drama that premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.
2014: Establishment of scholarships at UMass 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.
April 2015: Funding for female screenwriters lab
In April 2015, Meryl Streep funded a screenwriters lab for female screenwriters over forty years old, called the Writers Lab.
August 2015: Sentsov's Imprisonment
Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov, who Meryl Streep supports, was subjected to a sham trial by Russia and jailed in Siberia for 20 years in August 2015.
2015: Ricki and the Flash and Suffragette Film Release
In 2015, Meryl Streep starred in 'Ricki and the Flash' and played Emmeline Pankhurst in 'Suffragette'.
March 2016: Signing letter for gender equality
In March 2016, Meryl Streep, among others, signed a letter asking for gender equality throughout the world, in observance of International Women's Day.
2016: Florence Foster Jenkins Film Release
In 2016, Meryl Streep starred in 'Florence Foster Jenkins,' a biopic about an opera singer, and served as president at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival.
April 25, 2017: Support for Oleg Sentsov
On April 25, 2017, Meryl Streep publicly backed the campaign to free Oleg Sentsov, a Ukrainian filmmaker from Crimea.
2017: The Post Film Release
In 2017, Meryl Streep starred as Katharine Graham in Steven Spielberg's political drama 'The Post,' which received positive reviews and earned over $177 million.
2018: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again and Mary Poppins Returns
In 2018, Meryl Streep briefly reprised her role in the musical sequel 'Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again' and played a supporting role in 'Mary Poppins Returns'.
2018: 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: Big Little Lies Season 2
In 2019, Meryl Streep starred in the second season of the HBO drama series 'Big Little Lies', receiving an Emmy nomination for her performance.
2021: Don't Look Up Film Release
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'.
2023: 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'.
August 18, 2025: Announcement of Joni Mitchell Biopic
On August 18, 2025, it was announced that a biopic on the life and career of musician Joni Mitchell was in the works, with Meryl Streep signed on to play Mitchell in present day.
2025: Saturday Night Live 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.
March 6, 2026: Hoppers Film Release
On March 6, 2026, Meryl Streep voiced Queen Butterfly in the Pixar Animation Studios film 'Hoppers'.
May 1, 2026: The Devil Wears Prada 2 Release
Meryl Streep is set to reprise the role of Miranda Priestly in 'The Devil Wears Prada 2', which is scheduled for release on May 1, 2026.
2026: Donation to NWHM and Educator Award
In 2026, Streep made a seven-figure donation to the National Women's History Museum (NWHM). In recognition of her contribution, the NWHM established the Meryl Streep Educator Award.
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