Meryl Streep's Success and Achievements in Timeline

Share: FB Share X Share Reddit Share Reddit Share
Meryl Streep

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Meryl Streep. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

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.

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.

Loading Video...

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.

Loading Video...

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.

Loading Video...

1981: Received Honorary Degree from Dartmouth College

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

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.

Loading Video...

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.

Loading Video...

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.

Loading Video...

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.

Loading Video...

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.

Loading Video...

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.

Loading Video...

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.

Loading Video...

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.

Loading Video...

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.

Loading Video...

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.

Loading Video...

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.

Loading Video...

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".

Loading Video...

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.

Loading Video...

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.

Loading Video...

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.

Loading Video...

2011: Third Academy Award for The Iron Lady

In 2011, Meryl Streep earned her third Academy Award for her performance in The Iron Lady.

Loading Video...

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.

Loading Video...

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.

Loading Video...

2014: Presidential Medal of Freedom

In 2014, Meryl Streep was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

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.

Loading Video...

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.

Loading Video...

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.

Loading Video...

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'.

Loading Video...