Meryl Streep: Unveiling the Glittering Legacy of an Oscar Icon

Meryl Streep has established an illustrious career in Hollywood that surpasses the aspirations of most celebrities. With over four decades in the industry, the actress continues to demonstrate unwavering dedication and shows no signs of halting or diminishing her success. In January 2018, she surpassed her own Oscars record, securing her 21st Academy Award nomination for her remarkable portrayal of Katharine Graham in The Post.

In addition to the nomination, she expressed her immense gratitude for being a part of a film that not only advocates for press freedom but also highlights the importance of including women's voices in shaping history. She conveyed her pride in the film and its entire team of filmmakers, emphasizing her heartfelt appreciation. Furthermore, during the same year, this film icon secured a role in the highly popular television series, Big Little Lies, starring alongside renowned actresses Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Zoë Kravitz, Shailene Woodley, and Laura Dern.

Streep agreed to play the role of Mary Louise Wright, also known as the mother of the late Perry Wright (Alexander Skarsgard), even though she had not read the script.

According to Streep, her agent informed her that they had written the part with her in mind because the character was named Mary Louise. Without hesitation, Streep agreed to take on the role without even reading the script. She explained in an interview with We in June 2019, "Yeah, I'll do it." When her agent asked if she wanted to read it, she simply replied, "No." Streep believed that the show was truly exceptional and considered the first season to be one of the greatest things on television.

Despite her success, she remains humble and grounded. In her own words, she acknowledges that the longer she stays in the industry, the more humbled she becomes by its magnitude.

Meryl Streep's remarkable journey in the film industry has often served as a source of motivation for her fellow actors and actresses.

Scroll through to revisit some of her most iconic moments over the years.

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Meryl Streep, a Hollywood icon with a career spanning over 40 years, has achieved a level of success that many celebrities can only aspire to. Despite her lengthy tenure in the industry, Streep shows no indications of halting or diminishing her momentum.

Meryl Streep: The Oscar Winner Through the Years

In January 2018, she surpassed her own Oscars record by earning her 21st Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of Katharine Graham in The Post. This achievement solidified her position as the most-nominated actor in history.

Expressing her profound gratitude, she stated to the Los Angeles Times, "I am incredibly honored by this nomination for a film that I hold dear. It not only advocates for the importance of press freedom, but also highlights the significance of women's voices in shaping history. I am immensely proud of the film and everyone involved in its creation. Thank you from the depths of my heart."

Streep joined the cast of the popular television show, Big Little Lies, in the same year. The show featured renowned actresses Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Zoë Kravitz, Shailene Woodley, and Laura Dern. Streep portrayed the character of Mary Louise Wright, who is known as the mother of the deceased Perry Wright (played by Alexander Skarsgard). Interestingly, Streep accepted the role without even reading the script.

"[My agent] mentioned that they had written a role specifically for me, as the character was named Mary Louise. Without hesitation, I agreed to take on the role," she disclosed to We in June 2019. "When my agent asked if I wanted to read the script first, I declined. I knew it would be an incredible show, and it truly was, especially in its inaugural season."

However, despite her achievements, she remains grounded. Reflecting on her experiences in the industry, she once remarked, "The longer you work in this business, the more it humbles you."

Streep's remarkable career has consistently been a source of inspiration for many of her co-stars. Director Adam McKay revealed in an interview with The Guardian in December 2021 that while filming the Netflix movie "Don't Look Up," Meryl's nude scene had a body double. However, it was Leonardo DiCaprio who expressed discomfort with the scene. DiCaprio holds Meryl in high regard, considering her as film royalty and an iconic figure in the history of cinema. He was taken aback by the sight of her temporary lower back tattoo and questioned the necessity of its inclusion. McKay explained to DiCaprio that it was the character of President Orlean, not Meryl Streep herself, who appeared nude in the scene. Despite the conversation, Meryl remained unfazed and did not bring up the matter.

Scroll through to relive some of her biggest moments throughout the years.

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1976

Streep, a promising young actress at the age of 27, was captured in a photograph taken in August 1976. During this period, she had mainly accumulated acting experience from smaller stage productions, having graduated from Vassar College and the Yale School of Drama.

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1978

The Deer Hunter, a critically acclaimed drama that won an Oscar in 1978, marked one of the earliest feature film credits for the New Jersey native. In the film, she portrayed Linda, a bridesmaid, sharing the screen with notable actors such as John Cazale, Chuck Aspegren, and Robert de Niro.

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1980

Golden Girl! Streep was honored at the 52nd Academy Awards, taking home the statue for Best Supporting Actress for her role opposite Dustin Hoffman in 1979's Kramer vs. Kramer.

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1981

Just a girl in the city! Streep was photographed riding a subway train in New York City in August 1981. In the picture, she appeared effortlessly stylish and relaxed, wearing an elegant off-the-shoulder floral dress with her hair neatly pulled back.

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1983

The Big Little Lies star expanded her collection of awards at the 55th Academy Awards, where she won the prestigious Best Actress Oscar for her outstanding performance in the 1982 drama Sophie's Choice. Accepting the honor while expecting her daughter Mamie Gummer, she added another remarkable achievement to her career.

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1985

The talented actress showcased her versatility once again in the 1985 film Out of Africa, where she flawlessly adopted yet another foreign accent while starring alongside Robert Redford. Transforming her appearance with brunette locks, she mesmerized audiences with her captivating performance onscreen. The film's remarkable success was recognized with seven Academy Awards.

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1989

Streep looked stunning as she graced the red carpet at the prestigious 46th Annual Golden Globe Awards held in Beverly Hills in 1989. Her nomination was for her exceptional performance in the 1988 film "A Cry in the Dark," where she portrayed the role of a mother whose baby was taken by a dingo.

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1992

Death truly does become her! Streep looked gorgeous in the 1992 dark comedy Death Becomes Her. She starred in the gothic comedy alongside Bruce Willis and Goldie Hawn.

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1994

Streep immersed herself in the world of Hollywood in September 1994. The adored actress, who shares four children with her husband Don Gummer, left her mark by creating imprints of her feet and hands in the cement outside the renowned Mann's Chinese Theatre. Reflecting on the transformative experience of motherhood, she shared with USA Today in 2002, "People often say that having children changes everything, but perhaps it awakens aspects of ourselves that were already present."

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1998

Too cool for school! The icon epitomized the essence of the '90s when she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in September 1998. Embracing a laid-back vibe, she opted for a taupe suit and accessorized with a pair of trendy white sneakers, effortlessly elevating her ensemble.

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2000

What's an awards ceremony without Meryl Streep? The iconic actress, who was 50 years old at the time, greeted the cheering crowd during the 57th Annual Golden Globe Awards in January 2000. It was a memorable year for Streep as she received a nomination for Best Actress for her remarkable performance in the 1999 film, "Music of the Heart".

Credit: AP Photo/Reed Saxon

2003

Just hanging out! Streep mingled with another stunning blonde at the 60th Annual Golden Globes, striking a pose with HBO co-star Nicole Kidman. Both talented ladies walked away with prestigious awards at the 2003 ceremony. Streep secured the Best Supporting Actress honor for her exceptional performance in the 2002 film Adaptation, while Kidman triumphed as the Best Actress in a Leading Role for her captivating portrayal in The Hours.

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2004

The renowned actress enhanced her collection of accolades by receiving an Emmy award in September 2004. This prestigious recognition was bestowed upon her for her exceptional performance as the lead actress in the miniseries or movie, Angels in America, released in 2003.

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2006

That's all! Streep embraced high-fashion when she took on the role of Vogue's Anna Wintour in the 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada, portraying the influential Editor-in-Chief of a prestigious magazine. Her outstanding performance as Miranda Priestly earned her the Golden Globe for Best Actress. Interestingly, this win was quite ironic for Streep, as she once expressed her lack of understanding and interest in fashion and trends, considering clothes to be more of a tool for developing character rather than following the latest styles.

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2009

Streep exuded elegance at the 4th International Rome Film Festival in October 2009, where she was lauded with the prestigious Golden Marc'Aurelio Acting Award.

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2012

Selfie! Streep snapped a now-famous photo with political heavyweight Hillary Clinton at the Kennedy Center's Gala Dinner in December 2012. The photo quickly went viral.

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2014

The Hollywood legend attended the 86th annual Academy Awards in March 2014. She graced the red carpet alongside her co-stars Julia Roberts, Dermot Mulroney, and Chris Cooper for their film August: Osage County, a gripping drama.

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2017

The actress from Florence Foster Jenkins, adorned in a stunning Givenchy gown embellished with jewels, received an impressive total of four nominations at the 2017 Golden Globes held on January 8. During her acceptance speech for the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille lifetime achievement award, she passionately voiced her support for immigrants. "I hail from the public schools of New Jersey, where I was born, raised, and nurtured. Viola was born in a sharecropper's cabin in South Carolina and grew up in Central Falls, Rhode Island," she expressed. "Sarah Paulson was raised by a single mother in Brooklyn. Sarah Jessica Parker was one of seven or eight children from Ohio. Amy Adams was born in Italy. Natalie Portman was born in Jerusalem. Where are their birth certificates? And the remarkable Ruth Negga was born in Ethiopia, then raised in—I believe—in Ireland, and she is now nominated for her portrayal of a small-town girl from Virginia. Ryan Gosling, much like the kindest individuals, is Canadian. And Dev Patel, born in Kenya and raised in London, is here for his portrayal of an Indian who grew up in Tasmania. Hollywood is teeming with outsiders and foreigners. If you were to expel them all, you would be left with nothing but football and mixed martial arts, which cannot be considered art." 

Credit: ABC/Rick Rowell

2018

It was a monumental year for the Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again actress, who captivated on the 2018 Oscars red carpet in a stunning red Christian Dior Haute Couture gown. Not only did she receive a nomination for Best Actress for her role in The Post, but she also surpassed her own record of 20 Academy Award nods by earning her 21st nomination for this exceptional performance. Additionally, Streep's impressive talents were recognized in January 2018 when she was announced to play the role of Mary Louise Wright, the mother of Perry Wright, portrayed by Alexander Skarsgard, in a significant television project.

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2019

Streep welcomed her first grandchild in February 2019 at the age of 69 when her daughter Mamie Gummer gave birth to a baby boy. In addition, Streep garnered praise for her portrayal of Mary Louise Wright in the second season of the popular HBO series Big Little Lies. She also received critical acclaim for her role in the 2019 adaptation of Little Women.

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2020

After narrating AppleTV+'s Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth in April 2020, Streep had plans to star in two more streaming-only projects in 2020: Netflix's The Prom and HBO Max's Let Them All Talk. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, production for both films was delayed.

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2021

In an interview with Variety, Adam McKay, the director of the apocalyptic film Don't Look Up, shared an interesting insight about Meryl Streep's portrayal of President Orlean. As a Vassar alum, Streep brought a unique perspective to the role, and her character's death in the movie was actually inspired by her improvisation skills.