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Meryl Streep

Actor

Born 1949

Meryl Streep is an American actor born Mary Louise Streep in Summit, New Jersey. She studied at Vassar College and Yale School of Drama before beginning her professional career in New York theatre. Her early Broadway work included Trelawny of the “Wells”, 27 Wagons Full of Cotton, The Cherry Orchard and the musical Happy End. The Deer Hunter established her screen presence and brought her first Academy Award nomination. In Kramer vs. Kramer she played Joanna, a mother whose departure and return set a custody dispute in motion. Sophie’s Choice placed her at the centre of a drama about a Polish survivor of the Holocaust. Out of Africa gave her the role of writer Karen Blixen opposite Robert Redford. The Bridges of Madison County paired her with Clint Eastwood as Francesca Johnson, a woman confronting the possibilities and obligations of an unexpected romance. The Hours connected her contemporary Clarissa Vaughan with women in different periods, played by Nicole Kidman and Julianne Moore. Mamma Mia! brought her singing to a popular musical as Donna Sheridan. For Julie & Julia, she linked Julia Child’s optimism to the spirit of her own mother, Mary Streep. Her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady brought another Academy Award. Television work includes the multiple characters of Angels in America, Mary Louise Wright in Big Little Lies and Loretta Durkin in Only Murders in the Building. Career recognition includes an honorary Palme d’Or from Cannes. She returned as editor Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada 2, reuniting with Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci. Netflix also names her among the cast of Greta Gerwig’s forthcoming Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew.

Verified identityCore facts checked against named sources.

Keep exploring

Connected people

ConnectionAnne HathawayCo-star in The Devil Wears Prada 2.

ConnectionRobert De NiroCo-star in The Deer Hunter.

ConnectionNicole KidmanCo-star in The Hours.

Official records · wins and honours

Awards & Honours

Selected recognition linked to the awarding organisation or primary record.

2024
Festival de CannesIndustry honor
Honorary Palme d’Or
Meryl Streep
Official record
2023
Princess of Asturias FoundationIndustry honor
Princess of Asturias Award for the Arts
Meryl Streep
Official record
2017
Primetime Emmy AwardsCompetitive win
Outstanding Narrator
Five Came Back
Official record
2014
United StatesIndustry honor
Presidential Medal of Freedom
Meryl Streep
Official record
2012
Academy AwardsCompetitive win
Actress in a Leading Role
The Iron Lady
Official record
2012
Golden GlobesCompetitive win
Actress — Drama
The Iron Lady
Official record
2010
Golden GlobesCompetitive win
Actress — Musical or Comedy
Julie & Julia
Official record
2007
Golden GlobesCompetitive win
Actress — Musical or Comedy
The Devil Wears Prada
Official record
2004
Primetime Emmy AwardsCompetitive win
Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie
Angels in America
Official record
1983
Academy AwardsCompetitive win
Actress in a Leading Role
Sophie's Choice
Official record
1980
Academy AwardsCompetitive win
Actress in a Supporting Role
Kramer vs. Kramer
Official record
1978
Primetime Emmy AwardsCompetitive win
Lead Actress in a Limited Series
Holocaust
Official record

Honorary Palme d’Or

Princess of Asturias Award for the Arts

Outstanding Narrator

Presidential Medal of Freedom

Actress in a Leading Role

Actress — Drama

Actress — Musical or Comedy

Actress — Musical or Comedy

Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie

Actress in a Leading Role

Actress in a Supporting Role

Lead Actress in a Limited Series