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 consistent high-quality performances over a five-decade career. Often lauded as "the best actress of her generation," she boasts an impressive collection of awards, including three Academy Awards, multiple British Academy Film Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Primetime Emmy Awards, and Screen Actors Guild Awards. Streep has also been nominated for Grammy Awards and a Tony Award, showcasing her diverse talent across various entertainment mediums.
1978: Primetime Emmy Award for Holocaust
In 1978, Meryl Streep won a Primetime Emmy Award for her role in the miniseries Holocaust.
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: 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.
1981: Leading Role in The French Lieutenant's Woman
In 1981, Meryl Streep had her first leading role in the film The French Lieutenant's Woman and was awarded a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her work.
1981: Received Honorary Degree from Dartmouth College
In 1981, Meryl Streep received an honorary Doctor of Arts degree from Dartmouth College.
1982: Academy Award 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.
1985: Plenty
In 1985, Meryl Streep portrayed a fighter for the French Resistance in the British drama "Plenty", adapted from David Hare's play. Her performance was praised for its subtlety and charm.
1995: The Bridges of Madison County
In 1995, Meryl Streep starred in "The Bridges of Madison County", directed by Clint Eastwood. The film was a box office hit and was warmly received by critics.
1996: Marvin's Room
In 1996, Meryl Streep played the estranged sister in "Marvin's Room". She recommended Diane Keaton for the role of Bessie.
1999: Music of the Heart Release
In 1999, Meryl Streep portrayed Roberta Guaspari in the music drama Music of the Heart. She received nominations for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award for her performance.
2003: Primetime Emmy Award for Angels in America
In 2003, Meryl Streep won a Primetime Emmy Award for her role in Angels in America.
2003: Mike Nichols Kennedy Center Honor
In 2003, Mike Nichols was Kennedy Center Honoree, who honored Meryl Streep in 2011.
2004: AFI Life Achievement Award
In 2004, Meryl Streep received the AFI Life Achievement Award.
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.
2009: Robert De Niro Kennedy Center Honor
In 2009, Robert De Niro was Kennedy Center Honoree, who honored Meryl Streep in 2011.
2010: National Medal of Arts
In 2010, President Barack Obama awarded Meryl Streep the National Medal of Arts.
2011: Kennedy Center Honors
In 2011, Meryl Streep received Kennedy Center Honors with tributes from Robert De Niro, Mike Nichols, Kevin Kline, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, and Anne Hathaway.
2011: Academy Award for The Iron Lady
In 2011, Meryl Streep secured her third Academy Award, winning Best Actress for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady.
2011: The Iron Lady Release
In 2011, Meryl Streep starred in The Iron Lady, winning Best Actress awards at the Golden Globes and the BAFTAs, as well as her third win at the Academy Awards. Former advisers, friends, and family of Thatcher criticized Streep's portrayal of her as "inaccurate" and "biased".
2012: Honorary Golden Bear
In 2012, Meryl Streep received an Honorary Golden Bear.
November 2014: Presidential Medal of Freedom
In November 2014, President Barack Obama bestowed upon Meryl Streep the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
2014: Presidential Medal of Freedom
In 2014, President Barack Obama awarded Meryl Streep the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
2016: Starring in 'Florence Foster Jenkins'
In 2016, Meryl Streep starred in 'Florence Foster Jenkins', a biopic about an opera singer with no sense of tone who wants to perform publicly. She won the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actress in a Comedy, and received Academy Award, Golden Globe, SAG, and BAFTA nominations.
January 2017: Cecil B. DeMille Award for Lifetime Achievement
In January 2017, Streep was honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award for Lifetime Achievement at the 74th Golden Globe Awards, during which she delivered a predominantly political speech that implicitly criticized President-elect Donald Trump. Trump responded by calling Streep "one of the most over-rated actresses in Hollywood".
January 2017: Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes
In January 2017, Viola Davis presented Meryl Streep with the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes.
2017: Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award
In 2017, Meryl Streep received the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award.
2017: Starring as Katharine Graham in 'The Post'
In 2017, Meryl Streep starred as Katharine Graham in Steven Spielberg's 'The Post', a political drama about the publication of the Pentagon Papers. She received her 31st Golden Globe nomination and 21st Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for the movie.
