Other meanings of Meryl Streep filmography
Filmography
Meryl Streep is an American actress whose film and television career spans more than five decades, with over 60 feature films and numerous television roles. She holds the record for the most Academy Award nominations of any performer, with 21 acting nods, and has won three Oscars. Her work ranges from dramatic roles in films like Sophie's Choice and The Deer Hunter to comedic turns in The Devil Wears Prada and Mamma Mia!.
Streep began her professional acting career on stage in the 1970s, earning a Tony nomination for her Broadway debut in The Cherry Orchard (1977). Her first major film role was in Julia (1977), but her breakthrough came with The Deer Hunter (1978), for which she received her first Oscar nomination. She won her first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), a role that established her as a leading dramatic actress. Her portrayal of a Holocaust survivor in the television miniseries Holocaust (1978) also earned her an Emmy Award, showcasing her ability to tackle harrowing material early in her career.1
The 1980s solidified Streep's reputation for transformative performances. She won her second Oscar for Sophie's Choice (1982), a role that required her to master a Polish accent and convey profound trauma. She followed with acclaimed performances in Silkwood (1983), Out of Africa (1985), and Ironweed (1987), each earning Oscar nominations. Her third Oscar came for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady (2011), a performance noted for its physical and vocal transformation. Throughout this period, she also took on unconventional roles, such as the title character in the film adaptation of The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981), which used a dual narrative to explore acting itself.2
In the 2000s and 2010s, Streep balanced art-house projects with major commercial hits. She starred in The Devil Wears Prada (2006), a role that became a cultural touchstone, and in the musical Mamma Mia! (2008), which grossed over $600 million worldwide. Her comedic timing was further showcased in Julie & Julia (2009) and Into the Woods (2014). She also took on action roles, such as in The River Wild (1994) and Mary Poppins Returns (2018). Her television work includes the miniseries Angels in America (2003), for which she won a Golden Globe, and the second season of Big Little Lies (2019).3
Beyond her famous roles, Streep has appeared in several lesser-known projects that highlight her range. She voiced the character of Blue in the animated film The Ant Bully (2006) and narrated the documentary He Named Me Malala (2015). She also made an uncredited cameo in The Muppet Movie (1979) as a heckler. In television, she appeared in an episode of Third Rock from the Sun (1999) and in the web series Web Therapy (2012). Her early film The Seduction of Joe Tynan (1979) is often overlooked but earned her a Golden Globe nomination. Additionally, she has performed in radio dramas and audiobooks, including a reading of The Velveteen Rabbit.4
This filmography covers theatrical films, television films, miniseries, and notable voice roles. For a complete list, see the official filmography on IMDb or the actress's page at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
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