Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep is an American actress and one of the greatest actresses of all time, having made an indelible impression on both the silver screen and the live stage. She’s been nominated for a record 21 Academy Awards and won three, a Guinness World record holder, and the recipient of numerous awards, including four Golden Globes, two British Academy Films Awards, and a New York Film Critics Guild Award. She’s earned her title as the ‘Queen of Hollywood’, for her range of memorable and diverse roles over the past four decades.
The Early Years
The daughter of a commercial artist, Mary Louise Streep was born in 1949 in Summit, New Jersey. She and her sister grew up in a small, rural community and were devoted to the theater, participating in numerous amateur plays. After attending Vassar, Streep spent two years studying drama at Yale. She made her Broadway debut in the 1975 play Trelawney of the Wells and went on to win back-to-back Tony Awards for her 1976 and 1977 performances in 27 Wagons Full of Cotton and A Memory of Two Mondays, respectively.
Stepping Into Film
The same year that Streep won her second Tony Award, she made her film debut in Julia, for which she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Over the next five years, Streep began to solidify her presence in the film industry, receiving additional nominations for her roles in The Deer Hunter, Kramer vs. Kramer, and The French Lieutenant’s Woman.
A Decade of Kudos
In the 1980s, Streep’s peers began to recognize her talent, granting her an unprecedented ten Academy Award nominations, including wins for both Kramer vs. Kramer and Sophie’s Choice. During this decade, Streep earned several of her most renowned roles, including resurrecting the classic character in the topsy-turvy world of ‘The Witches of Eastwick’, starring alongside Jack Nicholson, and playing a strong-willed mother in the coming of age drama Ironweed.
The ’90s
Having sealed her name in Hollywood’s canon, Streep entered the ’90s with a string of accolades. Though she became known during the ’80s and was a well-known actress with numerous Oscar nominations, her work in the ’90s propelled her to international fame. She appeared in a variety of different roles, from the Gothic “Death Becomes Her,” by Robert Zemeckis, to acclaimed director, Robert Altman’s musical satire “Prairie Home Companion.” Along with an additional four Academy Award nominations in the ’90s, Streep earned her third Oscar for her role in the 1990 thriller “The Silence of the Lambs.”
Closing Off the Millennium
Heading into the 2000s, Streep began to play more powerful roles in both critically acclaimed and popular films. She gained her 13th Oscar nomination for her performance in the 2002 adaptation of the classic novel “The Hours” and in 2004 she delivered a monster of a performance as a ruthless magazine editor in “The Devil Wears Prada.” That same year she won her third Oscar for “Sophie’s Choice” and in 2006 she delivered a riveting performance in the political thriller “Rendition.”
The New Generation
Streep’s filmography continues to grow with blockbusters in the new generation. She appeared in the romantic comedy “It’s Complicated” and in 2012 she starred alongside Tommy Lee Jones, Steve Carell, and Ewan McGregor in the father-daughter drama, “Hope Springs.” In 2013, she was the villain in the musical fantasy “Into the Woods” and starred alongside Kevin Kline in the romantic comedy “Ricki and the Flash.” That same year Streep received her eighteenth Academy Award nomination for her performance in the real-life drama “August: Osage County.”
A New Wave of Accolades
Having spent more than four decades in the spotlight, Streep has earned over 60 awards, including nine Golden Globe Awards and three Laurence Olivier Awards. In 2011, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor given in the United States. In 2020 she won yet another Academy Award for her performance in the Steven Spielberg adaptation of “The Post.” These accolades are a testament to her undeniable talent and her role as the Queen of Hollywood.
Impacting Our Lives
Meryl Streep’s influence in the film industry is unparalleled. She has pushed the boundaries of what is expected from a female actress and defied gender stereotypes, tackling complex, diverse roles over the course of her career. With her fierce commitment to her characters and her knack for taking on unique roles, Streep has proven herself to be a dynamic and compelling actress, who continues to shape the lives of her viewers.
The Legacy Lives On
Meryl Streep’s accomplishments and awards, although notable, simply scratch the surface of her contributions to the acting world. Through her dazzling performances, Streep has championed the female gender, giving a voice to powerful, complex characters and inspiring the next generation of actors own their craft. Her 3 decades of eclectic and passionate performances has made her one of the most recognized and celebrated living actors, having cemented her as the true Queen of Hollywood.
Meryl Streep is one of the most talented,- and successful- actresses of our times. Her flair for taking on complex roles and her indelible mark on the film industry have earned her the title of Queen of Hollywood, and her endearing presence on-screen will remain with us for generations to come. One thing is for sure: the legacy of Meryl Streep will long endure.
