History of Meryl Streep in Timeline
Meryl Streep is a highly acclaimed American actress celebrated for her versatility, mastery of accents, and impactful performances. Often regarded as one of the greatest actresses of her generation, her career spans over five decades. She has received three Academy Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, eight Golden Globe Awards, four Emmy Awards, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. Streep has also earned nominations for seven Grammy Awards and a Tony Award, solidifying her reputation as a versatile and accomplished performer across various media.
June 22, 1949: Meryl Streep's Birth
On June 22, 1949, Mary Louise "Meryl" Streep was born. She is an American actress known for her versatility.
1962: Mamma Roma inspiration
In preparation for her role as Francesca in The Bridges of Madison County, Meryl Streep viewed Pier Paolo Pasolini's Mamma Roma from 1962 for inspiration.
1963: Family Moved to Bernardsville
In 1963, Meryl Streep's family moved to Bernardsville, New Jersey, where she attended Bernards High School.
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.
1970: Enrolled at Dartmouth College as a visiting student
In 1970, Meryl Streep enrolled as a visiting student at Dartmouth College.
1971: Received AB in Drama
In 1971, Meryl Streep received her AB in drama cum laude.
1975: Stage Debut in Trelawny of the Wells
In 1975, Meryl Streep made her stage debut in Trelawny of the Wells.
1975: Received MFA in Drama from Yale
In 1975, Meryl Streep received her MFA in drama from Yale.
1975: Professional Jobs at Eugene O'Neill Theater Center and Move to New York City
In 1975, Meryl Streep's first professional job was at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's National Playwrights Conference. Also in 1975, she moved to New York City and was cast in Trelawny of the Wells.
1976: Auditioned for King Kong Remake and Appeared on Broadway
In 1976, Meryl Streep auditioned unsuccessfully for the lead role in the King Kong remake. Also in 1976, she appeared in the double bill of 27 Wagons Full of Cotton and A Memory of Two Mondays on Broadway and received a Tony Award nomination.
1977: Feature Film Debut in Julia
In 1977, Meryl Streep made her feature film debut in Julia.
1977: 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.
March 12, 1978: Death of John Cazale
On March 12, 1978, John Cazale died. Meryl Streep had been nursing him until his death.
May 1978: Appeared in Uncommon Women and Others
In May 1978, Meryl Streep played the supporting role of Leilah in Wendy Wasserstein's Uncommon Women and Others.
1978: Starred in The Deer Hunter
In 1978, Meryl Streep starred in The Deer Hunter.
1978: Won Emmy for Holocaust
In 1978, Meryl Streep won a Primetime Emmy Award for her role in the miniseries Holocaust.
1979: Starred in The Seduction of Joe Tynan and Manhattan
In 1979, Meryl Streep accepted a role in The Seduction of Joe Tynan and Manhattan.
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: 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: 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 Kramer vs. Kramer. She also received awards from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, National Board of Review and National Society of Film Critics for her collective work in her three film releases of 1979.
December 1980: Alice in Concert at New York's Public Theater
In December 1980, Meryl Streep performed in Alice in Concert at New York's Public Theater.
1981: Received Honorary Degree from Dartmouth College
In 1981, Meryl Streep received an honorary Doctor of Arts degree from Dartmouth College.
1981: Planning for the future
In 1981, Meryl Streep spoke about the limited opportunities for actresses in their mid-forties and the need to carefully choose roles when balancing a career with raising children.
1981: Leading role in The French Lieutenant's Woman
In 1981, Meryl Streep starred in The French Lieutenant's Woman, her first leading role, alongside Jeremy Irons. She played a dual role, including adopting an English accent, but felt insecure about her appearance. The role earned her a BAFTA Award.
1982: Still of the Night and Sophie's Choice
In 1982, Meryl Streep reunited with Robert Benton for Still of the Night, a psychological thriller. Also in 1982, she starred in Sophie's Choice, portraying a Polish survivor of Auschwitz, receiving praise for her emotional performance.
1982: Sophie's Choice
In 1982, Meryl Streep starred in Sophie's Choice as a Polish survivor of Auschwitz, caught in a love triangle. She received praise for her emotional performance and Polish accent. She filmed the emotionally painful 'choice' scene in one take.
1982: Best Actress Win 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: Portrayal of Karen Silkwood in Silkwood
In 1983, Meryl Streep played Karen Silkwood in the biographical film Silkwood. She prepared by meeting with people close to Silkwood to understand her from different perspectives. Critics like Jack Kroll praised her portrayal, while Silkwood's boyfriend approved of her human depiction. Pauline Kael, however, believed she was miscast.
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. Roger Ebert praised her subtlety in playing an unbalanced woman. Molly Haskell later praised it in 2008 as one of Streep's most difficult and feminist roles.
1985: Out of Africa release
In 1985, Meryl Streep starred in Out of Africa as Karen Blixen. Despite initial doubts from director Sydney Pollack, she impressed him with her honesty and directness. The film was a commercial success and won a Golden Globe for Best Picture. It earned Streep an Academy Award nomination and was praised by critics like Stanley Kauffmann.
1986: Heartburn Release
In 1986, Meryl Streep co-starred with Jack Nicholson in the drama Heartburn, which did not appeal to a wide audience.
1987: Ironweed Release
In 1987, Meryl Streep co-starred with Jack Nicholson in Ironweed, in which she sang onscreen for the first time since 1977.
1988: Evil Angels Release and Awards
In 1988, Meryl Streep starred in Evil Angels, filmed in Australia, winning several awards for her performance, including the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, a Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival, and the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress. Vincent Canby praised her stunning performance.
1989: Evita and She-Devil
In 1989, Meryl Streep lobbied for the lead role in Oliver Stone's Evita but dropped out due to a salary dispute. She starred in the comedy She-Devil, a satire on beauty and cosmetic surgery, marking a departure from her usual dramatic roles, and although the film wasn't successful, Streep's performance was noted as a highlight.
1990: Postcards from the Edge
In 1990, Meryl Streep appeared in the comedy-drama Postcards from the Edge.
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 in the film industry. She criticized the industry for downplaying the importance of women both on and off screen.
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 with Goldie Hawn and Bruce Willis in the black comedy Death Becomes Her. She influenced script rewrites, focused on her character's emotions, and dealt with special effects, which she later disliked. The film was a commercial success.
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 was poorly received by critics.
1995: Appeared in The Bridges of Madison County
In 1995, Meryl Streep appeared in The Bridges of Madison County.
1995: The Bridges of Madison County Release
In 1995, Meryl Streep starred in The Bridges of Madison County, directed by Clint Eastwood, portraying Francesca, an Italian farm wife. She gained weight and emulated Italian film stars for the role. The film was a box office hit and critically acclaimed.
1996: Starring in Marvin's Room
In 1996, Meryl Streep played Lee in "Marvin's Room", the estranged sister of Bessie (Diane Keaton), who is battling leukemia. Streep suggested Keaton for the role. Her performance garnered her another Golden Globe nomination.
1997: Starring in ...First Do No Harm
In 1997, Meryl Streep's performance in "...First Do No Harm" earned her a second Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress – Miniseries or a Movie.
1998: Starring in Dancing at Lughnasa and One True Thing
In 1998, Meryl Streep starred in "Dancing at Lughnasa" alongside Michael Gambon and Catherine McCormack, which was entered into the Venice Film Festival. Also in 1998, she played a housewife dying of cancer in "One True Thing", which received positive reviews.
1999: Starring in Music of the Heart
In 1999, Meryl Streep portrayed Roberta Guaspari in the music drama "Music of the Heart", earning nominations for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a Screen Actors Guild Award for her performance.
December 11, 2001: Co-hosting the Nobel Peace Prize Concert
On December 11, 2001, Meryl Streep co-hosted the annual Nobel Peace Prize Concert with Liam Neeson in Oslo, Norway, in honour of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, the United Nations and Kofi Annan.
2002: Starring in Adaptation and The Hours
In 2002, Meryl Streep starred in Spike Jonze's comedy-drama "Adaptation.", winning her fourth Golden Globe. Also in 2002, she appeared in "The Hours" alongside Nicole Kidman and Julianne Moore, which won all three actresses a Silver Bear for Best Actress.
2003: Starring in Angels in America
In 2003, Meryl Streep reunited with Mike Nichols to star in HBO's adaptation of Tony Kushner's "Angels in America", winning her second Emmy Award and fifth Golden Globe for her performance as she played four roles in the miniseries.
2004: AFI Life Achievement Award
In 2004, Meryl Streep received the AFI Life Achievement Award.
2004: Starring in The Manchurian Candidate and Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
In 2004, Meryl Streep starred in "The Manchurian Candidate" and played Aunt Josephine in "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events", which won the Academy Award for Best Makeup.
2005: Starring in Prime
In 2005, Meryl Streep starred in the comedy film "Prime", playing Lisa Metzger, a psychoanalyst. The film earned US$67.9 million internationally.
September 2006: Starring in Mother Courage and Her Children
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.
2006: Sophie's Choice Legacy
In 2006, Emma Brockes of The Guardian described the 'choice' scene in Sophie's Choice as Meryl Streep's most famous, highlighting her ability to handle difficult emotions in the performance.
2006: Starring in The Devil Wears Prada
In 2006, Meryl Streep starred in "The Devil Wears Prada" as Miranda Priestly. The film became Streep's biggest commercial success, grossing over US$326.5 million worldwide, and earned her many award nominations, including her 14th Oscar bid and another Golden Globe.
April 2007: Shelving of Dark Matter
In April 2007, the release of "Dark Matter", in which Meryl Streep played a wealthy university patron, was shelved out of respect for the victims of the Virginia Tech shooting.
2007: Starring in Evening and Lions for Lambs
In 2007, Meryl Streep starred in "Evening" alongside Vanessa Redgrave, Glenn Close, and her daughter Mamie Gummer, and also in Robert Redford's "Lions for Lambs". Both films received lukewarm reactions from critics.
October 2008: "Mamma Mia" Song Chart Success
In October 2008, after Meryl Streep starred in Mamma Mia!, her rendition of the song "Mamma Mia" rose to popularity on the Portuguese music charts, peaking at number eight.
2008: Gala Tribute from the Film Society of Lincoln Center
In 2008, Meryl Streep received a Gala Tribute from the Film Society of Lincoln Center.
2008: Starring in Doubt
In 2008, Meryl Streep starred in "Doubt", which received five Academy Awards nominations for its lead actors and the script. Meryl Streep played a stern nun who brings accusations of pedophilia against a priest.
2008: Starred in Doubt and Mamma Mia!
In 2008, Meryl Streep starred in Doubt and Mamma Mia!.
2008: Critical appraisal of Plenty performance
In 2008, Molly Haskell praised Meryl Streep's performance in the 1985 film Plenty, describing it as one of Streep's most difficult, ambiguous, and feminist roles.
2008: Limited Release of Dark Matter
In 2008, after being shelved in April 2007, the drama "Dark Matter", starring Meryl Streep, received a limited release and received negative to mixed reviews.
2009: Starring in Julie & Julia and It's Complicated
In 2009, Meryl Streep played Julia Child in "Julie & Julia" and starred in "It's Complicated". She received Golden Globe nominations for both films, winning for "Julie & Julia", and later received her 16th Oscar nomination for Julie & Julia. She also voiced Mrs. Felicity Fox in "Fantastic Mr. Fox".
2010: National Medal of Arts
In 2010, President Barack Obama awarded Meryl Streep the National Medal of Arts.
2011: Kennedy Center Honor
In 2011, Meryl Streep received the Kennedy Center Honor.
2011: The Iron Lady Release and Awards
In 2011, Meryl Streep starred in "The Iron Lady", a biographical film about Margaret Thatcher. Streep prepared for the role by attending a session of the House of Commons. Her performance received rave reviews, leading to Best Actress awards at the Golden Globes, BAFTAs, and the Academy Awards. However, the film and Streep's portrayal faced criticism from Thatcher's former associates for being "inaccurate" and "biased".
2011: Best Actress Win for The Iron Lady
In 2011, Meryl Streep won her third Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as 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: Honorary Golden Bear
In 2012, Meryl Streep received an Honorary Golden Bear.
2012: Hope Springs Release
In 2012, Meryl Streep starred in the romantic comedy-drama film "Hope Springs" alongside Tommy Lee Jones and Steve Carell. The film revolves around a middle-aged couple attending intensive marriage counseling. The reviews were mainly positive, highlighting the mesmerizing performances and the thoughtful look at mature relationships.
2013: Appeared in August: Osage County
In 2013, Meryl Streep appeared in August: Osage County.
2013: August: Osage County Release
In 2013, Meryl Streep starred in "August: Osage County" with Julia Roberts and Ewan McGregor. Streep received positive reviews for her performance as the matriarch. She was nominated for a Golden Globe, SAG, and Academy Award for her role.
July 2014: Announcement of Meryl Streep to portray Maria Callas in Master Class
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 Releases
In 2014, Meryl Streep appeared in "The Giver", a film adaptation of the young adult novel. In "The Giver", Streep played a community leader. Also in 2014, Streep 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.
2014: Presidential Medal of Freedom
In 2014, President Barack Obama awarded Meryl Streep the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
April 2015: Announcement of Screenwriters Lab Funding
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.
2015: Ricki and the Flash and Suffragette Release
In 2015, Meryl Streep starred in Jonathan Demme's "Ricki and the Flash", playing a rock musician. Also in 2015, Streep played Emmeline Pankhurst in "Suffragette".
2015: Fonda's Lasting Influence
In 2015, Meryl Streep stated that Jane Fonda had a lasting influence on her as an actress.
March 2016: Signing of 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.
2016: Florence Foster Jenkins Release
In 2016, Meryl Streep starred in "Florence Foster Jenkins", a biopic about an opera singer. Robbie Collin considered it to be one of her most "human performance". She won the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actress in a Comedy, and received Academy Award, Golden Globe, SAG, and BAFTA nominations.
2016: Starred in Florence Foster Jenkins
In 2016, Meryl Streep starred in Florence Foster Jenkins.
2017: Introduced Carmen de Lavallade at Kennedy Center Honors
In 2017, Meryl Streep introduced choreographer Carmen de Lavallade at the Kennedy Center Honors.
2017: Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award
In 2017, Meryl Streep received the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award.
2017: The Post Release
In 2017, Meryl Streep starred in Steven Spielberg's political drama "The Post" as Katharine Graham, alongside Tom Hanks. The film received positive reviews, and Streep received her 31st Golden Globe nomination and 21st Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
2018: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again and Mary Poppins Returns Releases
In 2018, Meryl Streep reprised her role in "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again" and played a supporting part in "Mary Poppins Returns".
2019: Big Little Lies and The Laundromat Release
In 2019, Meryl Streep starred in the second season of the HBO drama series "Big Little Lies" as Mary Louise Wright, and in "The Laundromat", about the Panama Papers. Also in 2019, she 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: Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth, The Prom and Let Them All Talk Releases
In 2020, Meryl Streep voiced a role in "Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth". Also in 2020, Streep reunited with Nicole Kidman in "The Prom", and starred in Steven Soderbergh's "Let Them All Talk".
2021: Don't Look Up Release
In 2021, Meryl Streep starred in "Don't Look Up", directed by Adam McKay for Netflix, playing the fictional President of the United States.
2023: Only Murders in the Building Appearance
In 2023, Meryl Streep began playing Loretta Durkin in the third season of 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.
2023: Role in Only Murders in the Building
In 2023, Meryl Streep took a role in the Hulu comedy-mystery series Only Murders in the Building.
2024: Honorary Palme d'Or
In 2024, Meryl Streep received the Honorary Palme d'Or.
2025: SNL 50th Anniversary Special Appearance
In 2025, Meryl Streep attended the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special, marking her first SNL appearance.
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