Meryl Streep's Success and Achievements in Timeline

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, 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.

Sections (5)

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

1978: Won Emmy for Holocaust

In 1978, Meryl Streep won a Primetime Emmy Award for her role in the miniseries Holocaust.

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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.

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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.

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1981: Received Honorary Degree from Dartmouth College

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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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2003: Honorary César

In 2003, Meryl Streep received an Honorary César.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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".

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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".

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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.

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2012: Honorary Golden Bear

In 2012, Meryl Streep received an Honorary Golden Bear.

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.

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2014: Presidential Medal of Freedom

In 2014, President Barack Obama awarded Meryl Streep the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

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.

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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.

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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.

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