Introducing Meryl Streep
Mary Louise Streep, also known as Meryl Streep, was born on June 22, 1949, in the United States. She’s an actress famous for being really good at acting in many different kinds of roles and accents. People often say she’s the best actress of her time. She’s been in the movie business for more than forty years and has won a lot of awards. She’s been nominated for an Academy Award 21 times and has won three. She’s also been nominated for a Golden Globe Award 33 times and has won eight.
Streep started acting on stage in 1975 and got nominated for a big theater award the next year. Her first movie was in 1977. She won her first Emmy Award in 1978 for a TV show called “Holocaust,” and she got her first Oscar nomination that same year for a movie called “The Deer Hunter.” She won her first Oscar for playing a woman having a tough time in “Kramer vs. Kramer” in 1979. She won another Oscar for playing a Holocaust survivor in “Sophie’s Choice” in 1982. After that, she kept on winning awards and getting praised for her acting. Some of her movies made a lot of money, like “Out of Africa,” “Death Becomes Her,” and “The Bridges of Madison County.”
In the 2000s and 2010s, Streep was still a big star. She was in movies like “The Devil Wears Prada,” “Mamma Mia!,” “The Iron Lady,” and “Little Women.” She also acted on TV, winning more awards for shows like “Angels in America,” “Big Little Lies,” and “Only Murders in the Building.”
Streep has gotten lots of special awards for her acting, like the AFI Life Achievement Award, the Kennedy Center Honor, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She’s also been honored by the French government and got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Meryl Streep’s Early Life
Mary Louise Streep was born on June 22, 1949, in Summit, New Jersey. Her mom, Mary Wilkinson Streep, was an artist, and her dad, Harry William Streep Jr., worked in pharmaceuticals. She has two younger brothers, Harry William Streep III and Dana David Streep, who are both actors. Her family has a mix of backgrounds – her dad’s side comes from Germany and Switzerland, while her mom’s side has English, German, and Irish roots.
Growing up, Streep’s mom was a big supporter, always boosting her confidence. Streep was a bit shy compared to her mom but still managed to shine, especially in school plays. She attended different schools in New Jersey, where she also cheered for the high school team and even became homecoming queen.
Her love for acting really took off when she went to Vassar College. There, she impressed everyone with her talent in a play called Miss Julie. She didn’t stop there – she went on to Yale School of Drama, where she worked really hard, even though it got overwhelming at times. Streep learned a lot from different teachers, even though she didn’t always agree with their methods. Despite the challenges, she earned her Master of Fine Arts degree in drama from Yale in 1975.
Outside of Yale, she also spent some time at Dartmouth College, and they later gave her an honorary degree in 1981. Throughout her journey, Streep’s passion for acting and her dedication to improving her craft never wavered.
Meryl Streep: A Career in Review
Even though Meryl Streep once said she couldn’t really plan her Hollywood journey and that it’s mostly a random ride, her career follows a clear path when you look at all her work. Unlike many Hollywood stars, her fame doesn’t rely on just looks or sex appeal but on her amazing acting skills. She’s known for avoiding roles that focus too much on sexiness or nudity, preferring characters that are deep and complicated.
Throughout her career, Streep has been praised for her versatility – she doesn’t just play variations of herself; she transforms into completely different characters each time. This reputation for great acting, based on her ability to impersonate so many diverse roles, has helped her career stay strong even during times when it seemed to slow down.
Instead of going for flashy roles, Streep is drawn to characters with depth and challenges. She likes to portray women with flaws, making them relatable or at least understandable to the audience. She’s also attracted to projects that have substance, like adaptations of books or real-life stories.
Streep’s knack for embodying characters extends to her mastery of accents and mannerisms, which helps her truly become the people she portrays on screen. Some critics say her performances can seem a bit too polished, but many fans appreciate seeing her skills in action.
16 Most Iconic Roles Of Meryl Streep
Here are some movies featuring Meryl Streep that have left a mark:
- “Kramer vs. Kramer” (1979) – A moving story about a tough divorce and a custody battle, where Streep’s performance earned her an Oscar.
- “Sophie’s Choice” (1982) – Based on a bestselling novel, this film showcases Streep’s incredible acting skills in a heartbreaking tale set during the Holocaust.
- “Silkwood” (1983) – Streep shines as a whistleblower in this gripping true story about dangerous working conditions.
- “Falling in Love” (1984) – Joining Robert de Niro, Streep explores the complexities of love in this timeless romantic drama.
- “Heartburn” (1986) – Streep and Jack Nicholson star in this witty romance, penned by Nora Ephron.
- “Postcards from the Edge” (1990) – Streep navigates the complexities of a mother-daughter relationship in this compelling story written by Carrie Fisher.
- “Death Becomes Her” (1992) – In a departure from her usual roles, Streep stars in this dark comedy about immortality.
- “The Bridges of Madison County” (1995) – Streep portrays a woman who finds love in unexpected places in this timeless romance.
- “Marvin’s Room” (1996) – Streep leads a touching story about family bonds and tragedy, alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Diane Keaton.
- “The Devil Wears Prada” (2006) – Streep’s iconic performance as Miranda Priestly in this fashion-centered comedy has become legendary.
- “Mamma Mia!” (2008) – Streep delights audiences with her singing and dancing in this beloved musical.
- “Julie & Julia” (2009) – Streep brings the legendary Julia Child to life in this heartwarming tale of cooking and determination.
- “The Iron Lady” (2011) – Streep’s transformation into Margaret Thatcher earned her another Oscar in this powerful biopic.
- “August: Osage County” (2013) – Streep delivers a captivating performance in this drama about a dysfunctional family.
- “Florence Foster Jenkins” (2016) – Streep charms audiences in this feel-good movie about a woman pursuing her dreams of becoming a singer.
- “The Post” (2017) – Directed by Steven Spielberg, Streep portrays a pioneering female publisher in this historical drama about the power of the press.
The Personal Journey of Meryl Streep
When Meryl Streep was just 12 years old, she started learning how to use her voice for acting. She continued honing her skills throughout high school. After graduating from Vassar College in 1971, where she studied drama and costume design, she decided to take her passion for acting to the next level. Streep then went on to study drama at Yale University and earned her master’s degree in 1975. Ready to kickstart her career, she moved to New York City to pursue acting full-time.
Meryl Streep’s Advocacy Work
Apart from her amazing acting skills, Meryl Streep is known for supporting important causes like women’s rights and environmental protection. She actively helps charities like the National Women’s History Museum and the Children’s Health Fund.
Meryl Streep isn’t just a talented actress; she’s also a strong advocate for important issues. Her work on and off the screen has left a lasting impact on people everywhere.
When it comes to acting, Meryl Streep is in a league of her own. Her career has set the bar high for excellence.
But it’s not just about her talent; there’s so much more to learn from her journey. From her dedication to her work to her courage in standing up for what she believes.
Celebrating Meryl Streep: Awards and Honors
Meryl Streep has received lots of awards and honors throughout her career, despite what some critics might say. Here’s a rundown of some of her biggest achievements:
- She’s won three Oscars, with a whopping 19 nominations in total.
- In 2014, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama for her contributions to culture.
- Streep has also been honored by the Kennedy Center for her work in the performing arts.
- She holds honorary doctorate degrees from Ivy League universities like Dartmouth, Princeton, and Harvard.
- At the Cannes Film Festival in 1989, she won the Best Actress award for her role in “A Cry in the Dark”.
- She’s received lifetime achievement awards from the American Film Institute and the Palm Springs International Film Festival.
- Streep has won numerous Golden Globe Awards and even received the Cecil B. DeMille Award.
- Her star shines bright on the Hollywood Walk of Fame since 1998.
- She’s been recognized by the National Board of Review and received France’s highest artistic honor, the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.
- Streep has been nominated for Grammy Awards, People’s Choice Awards, Primetime Emmy Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and even a Tony Award for her work on stage.
The Influence of Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep’s impact on acting is huge, reaching far and wide. Trying to pick just a couple of her performances to showcase her talent would be impossible. Instead, let’s take a journey through the decades to see what makes her so special.
In the late ’70s and early ’80s, Streep wowed audiences with her roles in “Kramer vs. Kramer” and “Sophie’s Choice.” These films earned her Oscars and showcased her ability to convey deep emotions, whether it’s the heartbreak in “Sophie’s Choice” or the grief in “Kramer vs. Kramer.”
Moving into the late ’80s and early ’90s, Streep showed her versatility by embracing campy comedy in movies like “Death Becomes Her” and “She-Devil.” It was a departure from her earlier dramatic roles but proved she could make people laugh just as easily as she could make them cry.
As the 2000s rolled in, Streep found her stride in more lighthearted comedies like “The Devil Wears Prada,” “Mamma Mia!,” and “Julie & Julia.” These films became hits worldwide, showcasing Streep’s ability to bring joy and laughter to audiences everywhere.
Now, in the 2010s and beyond, Streep continues to shine in a variety of roles, from dramas like “Let Them All Talk” to musicals like “Into the Woods” and “The Prom.” She’s proven time and again that she can tackle any genre with ease.
Summing up Meryl Streep’s career is no easy task. She’s done it all and done it well. But if there’s one thing we can say for sure, it’s that she’s truly one of a kind.
Meryl Streep’s Filmography
Here’s a simplified list of movies Meryl Streep has been in over the years:
- Julia (1977) as Anne Marie
- The Deer Hunter (1978) as Linda
- Manhattan (1979) as Jill Davis
- The Seduction of Joe Tynan (1979) as Karen Traynor
- Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) as Joanna Kramer
- The French Lieutenant’s Woman (1981) as Sarah / Anna
- Still of the Night (1982) as Brooke Reynolds
- Sophie’s Choice (1982) as Sophie Zawistowski
- Silkwood (1983) as Karen Silkwood
- Falling in Love (1984) as Molly Gilmore
- Plenty (1985) as Susan Traherne
- Out of Africa (1985) as Karen Blixen
- Heartburn (1986) as Rachel Samstat
- Ironweed (1987) as Helen Archer
- Evil Angels (1988) as Lindy Chamberlain
- She-Devil (1989) as Mary Fisher
- Postcards from the Edge (1990) as Suzanne Vale
- Defending Your Life (1991) as Julia
- Age 7 in America (1991) as Narrator (Documentary)
- Death Becomes Her (1992) as Madeline Ashton
- The House of the Spirits (1993) as Clara del Valle Trueba
- The River Wild (1994) as Gail Hartman
- The Living Sea (1995) as Narrator (Documentary)
- The Bridges of Madison County (1995) as Francesca Johnson
- Before and After (1996) as Dr. Carolyn Ryan
- Marvin’s Room (1996) as Lee
- One True Thing (1998) as Kate Gulden
- Dancing at Lughnasa (1998) as Kate Mundy
- Music of the Heart (1999) as Roberta Guaspari
- Ginevra’s Story (1999) as Narrator (Documentary)
- A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) as Blue Mecha (Voice)
- Adaptation. (2002) as Susan Orlean
- The Hours (2002) as Clarissa Vaughan
- Stuck on You (2003) as Herself (Uncredited cameo)
- The Manchurian Candidate (2004) as Sen. Eleanor Prentiss Shaw
- Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004) as Aunt Josephine
- Prime (2005) as Lisa Metzger
- Stolen Childhoods (2005) as Narrator (Documentary)
- A Prairie Home Companion (2006) as Yolanda Johnson
- The Music of Regret (2006) as The Woman (Short film)
- Hurricane on the Bayou (2006) as Narrator (Documentary short film)
- The Devil Wears Prada (2006) as Miranda Priestly
- The Ant Bully (2006) as Queen Ant (Voice; animated film)
- Dark Matter (2007) as Joanna Silver
- Evening (2007) as Lila Ross
- Rendition (2007) as Corrine WhitmanLions for Lambs (2007) as Janine Roth
- Mamma Mia! (2008) as Donna Sheridan
- Doubt (2008) as Sister Aloysius Beauvier
- Julie & Julia (2009) as Julia Child
FAQs About Meryl Streep
- How many years has Meryl Streep lived?
- Meryl Streep has lived for 74 years.
- When did Meryl Streep come into the world?
- Meryl Streep was born on June 22, 1949.
- Where did Meryl Streep first open her eyes?
- Meryl Streep was born in Summit, New Jersey, USA.
- What was Meryl Streep’s original name?
- Meryl Streep’s original name was Mary Louise Streep.
- How tall is Meryl Streep?
- Meryl Streep stands at 5 feet 6 inches, which is about 1.68 meters.
- What roles has Meryl Streep become famous for?
- Meryl Streep is renowned for her performances in movies like “Sophie’s Choice,” “Out of Africa,” “The Devil Wears Prada,” and “August: Osage County.”