Childhood and Education Journey of Meryl Streep in Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Meryl Streep. From birth to education, explore key events.

Meryl Streep is a highly acclaimed American actress, renowned for her versatility, technical skill, and mastery of dialects. A Vassar College and Yale School of Drama graduate, Streep is known for creating characters with psychological depth and agency. In addition to her acting career, she actively advocates for gender equality, labor rights, and challenging the male gaze in the film industry.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

June 22, 1949: Meryl Streep's Birth

On June 22, 1949, Mary Louise "Meryl" Streep was born. She would become an American actress, renowned for her versatility, technical precision, and command of dialects.

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1963: Family Moved to Bernardsville, New Jersey

In 1963, Meryl Streep's family moved to Bernardsville, New Jersey, where she attended Bernards High School.

1969: Starred in Miss Julie at Vassar College

In 1969, Meryl Streep acted in the play Miss Julie at Vassar College, gaining attention across the campus.

1970: Enrolled as a visiting student at Dartmouth College

In 1970, Meryl Streep enrolled as a visiting student at Dartmouth College.

1971: Earned AB in Drama Cum Laude

In 1971, Meryl Streep earned her AB in drama cum laude from Vassar College.

1975: Earned MFA in Drama from Yale

In 1975, Meryl Streep earned her MFA in drama from Yale School of Drama.

1976: Meeting John Cazale

In 1976, Meryl Streep met actor John Cazale while they were both in a production of William Shakespeare's 'Measure for Measure' at the Delacorte Theater.

1977: John Cazale's Lung Cancer Diagnosis

In 1977, John Cazale, Meryl Streep's partner, was diagnosed with lung cancer. They were living together at the time.

March 12, 1978: Death of John Cazale

On March 12, 1978, John Cazale, Meryl Streep's partner, died after battling lung cancer. Streep had been nursing him until his death.

March 1978: John Cazale's death

In March 1978, John Cazale, Meryl Streep's partner, passed away after being diagnosed with lung cancer in 1977.

1979: Birth of Henry Wolfe Gummer

In 1979, Meryl Streep's first child, Henry Wolfe Gummer, was born.

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1981: Received Honorary Doctor of Arts Degree from Dartmouth College

In 1981, Meryl Streep received an honorary Doctor of Arts degree from Dartmouth College.

1983: Birth of Mary Willa "Mamie" Gummer

In 1983, Meryl Streep's daughter, Mary Willa "Mamie" Gummer, was born.

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1985: Move to Connecticut Estate

In 1985, Meryl Streep and her family moved into a $1.8-million private estate in Connecticut.

1986: Birth of Grace Jane Gummer

In 1986, Meryl Streep's daughter, Grace Jane Gummer, was born.

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1990: Purchase of Brentwood Mansion

In 1990, Meryl Streep and her family bought a $3-million mansion in Brentwood, Los Angeles.

1991: Birth of Louisa Jacobson Gummer

In 1991, Meryl Streep's daughter, Louisa Jacobson Gummer, was born.

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December 11, 2001: Co-hosting the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo

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.

December 2008: Religious Beliefs

In December 2008, Meryl Streep alluded to her lack of religious belief.

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.

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 of the Writers Lab

In April 2015, it was announced that Meryl Streep had funded a screenwriters lab for female screenwriters over forty years old, called the Writers Lab.

August 2015: Oleg Sentsov Jailed

In August 2015, Oleg Sentsov, a Ukrainian filmmaker from Crimea was subjected to a sham trial by Russia and jailed in Siberia for 20 years, and Streep backed the campaign to free him starting April 25, 2017.

2015: Statements on Feminism

In 2015, Meryl Streep stated that she considers herself a humanist.

2015: Criticism of Male Gaze in Film Criticism

In 2015, while promoting 'Suffragette', Meryl Streep challenged the male gaze in film criticism, citing the disproportionate ratio of male to female contributors on Rotten Tomatoes and arguing that this imbalance skewed the perception of female-driven narratives.

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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; this was also organized by One Campaign.

2016: Speech at the Democratic National Convention

In 2016, Meryl Streep gave a speech at the Democratic National Convention in support of presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

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, who was jailed in Siberia.

2017: Introduced Carmen de Lavallade at Kennedy Center Honors

In 2017, Meryl Streep introduced choreographer Carmen de Lavallade at the Kennedy Center Honors.

2018: Last Public Appearance with Don Gummer

In 2018, Meryl Streep and Don Gummer were last publicly seen together at the 90th Academy Awards.

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.

June 2023: SAG-AFTRA Strike Threat

In June 2023, Meryl Streep was among over 300 high-profile members of SAG-AFTRA who signed a letter threatening to strike to secure a "transformative" deal protecting performers' craft and likenesses from the unregulated rise of artificial intelligence.