President Barack Obama named 19 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients Monday. NBC News’ Tom Brokaw, Meryl Streep and Stevie Wonder were among those named to receive the nation’s highest civilian honor. Obama said in a statement, “I look forward to presenting these nineteen bold, inspiring Americans with our Nation’s highest civilian honor. From activists who fought for change to artists who explored the furthest reaches of our imagination; from scientists who kept America on the cutting edge to public servants who help write new chapters in our American story, these citizens have made extraordinary contributions to our country and the world.” The White House awards ceremony is Nov. 24. This year’s full list of Medal of Freedom recipients: Alvin Ailey, Isabel Allende, Tom Brokaw, James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, Michael Schwerner, Mildred Dresselhaus, Rep. John Dingell of Michigan, Ethel Kennedy, Suzan Harjo, Abner Mikva of Illinois, Rep. Patsy Takemoto Mink of Hawaii, Rep. Edward Roybal of California, Charles Sifford, Robert Solow, Stephen Sondheim, Meryl Streep, Marlo Thomas and Stevie Wonder. Many thanks to Glenn and Frank for the heads-up.
This morning, Meryl Streep has a nomination for the 2014 People’s Choice Award as Favorite Dramatic Movie Actress. She shares the category with Chloe Grace Moretz, Emma Stone, Emma Stone, Reese Witherspoon and Shailene Woodley. You can vote for the winner right at the People’s Choice official website. Allison Janney and Anna Faris will host the live awards show from the Nokia Theater L.A. Live Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015 (9:00-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network. Meryl Streep has a long history with the People’s Choice Awards, winning a total eight Favorite Motion Picture Actress awards in 1984, 1985, 1986 (twice alongside World Favorite Actress), 1987, 1989 and 1990, again for Favorite Actress and World Favorite Actress. Her latest nomination came last year for her performance in “Hope Springs”. Thanks to Glenn for the heads-up.
According to Awardsdaily, Meryl Streep will be run in Supporting, not lead, while Emily Blunt will be the lead actress contender for Into the Woods, a rep from Disney confirmed. In this case, both Meryl Streep and Anna Kendrick will be in supporting for Into the Woods, which could also be in line for a SAG ensemble nod given the talent involved. The complete article can be read over at Awardsdaily.
Update: A video esxcerpt of Meryl’s speech, as well as additional pictures have been added. Yesterday, Jane Fonda was honored as the 42nd recipient of the American Film Institute’s Life Achievement Award by a star-studded crowd that included Michael Douglas, Sally Field and Meryl Streep. Accepting the American Film Institute’s 42nd Life Achievement Award, Jane Fonda exclaimed, “I’m so happy to add another woman’s name to the list.” Pictures from the ceremony have been added to the image library, with additional information below.
Fonda also offered a bit of advice for the roomful of Hollywood celebrities gathered at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood Thursday night: “Ask questions, stay curious,” she exhorted them. “It’s much more important to be interested than to be interesting.” In recounting both Fonda’s career as well as her very protean life, those who gathered to pay her tribute – especially a blue-ribbon acting sorority led by Meryl Streep, Sally Field, Lily Tomlin and Sandra Bullock – certainly made the case that Fonda had been plenty interesting herself. Streep, who made her film debut in a supporting role opposite Fonda in 1977’s Julia, offered one of the evening’s most memorable descriptions, when she recalled her initial impression of the older actress: “She had an almost feral alertness, like this bright blue attentiveness to everything around her.” And she thanked Fonda for showing her the ropes.
Additional pictures from the 14th Annual Monte Christo Award have been added to the image library.
Appearances – 2014 – Last Uploads – 14th Annual Monte Cristo Award – Arrivals(April 21, 2014)
Appearances – 2014 – Last Uploads – 14th Annual Monte Cristo Award – Ceremony (April 21, 2014)
Meryl Streep was honored with the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s Monte Cristo Award on Monday evening. “I’m glad to see some old friends and celebrate this wonderful theater — it’s a home for new playwrights, writers, musicians, it’s a rare sort of conservatory for new talent and ideas,” she told reporters at the Edison Ballroom in New York City of the organization where she first worked as an actress after graduating from the Yale School of Drama. Lots of pictures from the arrivals and the ceremony have been added to the image library, with additional information on the honor below.
The Hollywood Reporter has an in-depth article on the evening. Judith Light shared sentiments on behalf of the late playwright Wendy Wasserstein, the past Monte Cristo Award honoree who featured Streep in Uncommon Women and Others: “I wish that Wendy were here with us tonight…she would be here, because she loved Meryl so much. Meryl, whom she regarded in the deepest respect and loved; Meryl, who is a very uncommon woman.” The evening also included tribute clips from playwrights of many stage projects Streep helped bring to the big screen. Angels in America’s Tony Kushner recalled that he eventually finished writing a new translation of Mother Courage and Her Children, and on closing night, “after I fumbled my way through my attempt to describe how magnificent she’d been in the role of Mother Courage, she said, ‘Thanks, this was a wonderful series for me, I’m so glad.’ We hugged, and then she added, ‘And just think how much greater it could’ve been if you had delivered the script on time!’ ” He also admitted that the line “There are four points on a compass, and I’ve been pricked in every direction” was a result of Streep’s improvisation. The complete article can be read here, more information and video clips will be posted next.
On Thurday, Meryl Streep became Indiana University’s newest alumna when she accepted an honorary doctoral degree from the Bloomington school Wednesday afternoon in front of an enthusiastic sellout crowd of 3,200 at IU Auditorium in Bloomington. The brief ceremony was all pomp and circumstance—Streep donned a velvet-trimmed IU cap and gown as a procession of four trumpeters welcomed her onstage, and she received a standing ovation when IU Cinema director Jon Vickers presented her with a red leather-bound Doctor of Humane Letters diploma. Streep accepted the award for her work as a role model and humanitarian in the arenas of women’s rights and social justice. IU provost Lauren Robel spoke to the selection, saying Streep was an “inspiring choice,” nominated for her “generous spirit and utmost sincere concern for public good.” There have been quite some appearances from this day – besides the Honorary Degree, Meryl has attended a panel at IU Cinema as well as a Master Class at Wells-Metz Theatre. All pictures can be found in the image library with more to come.
Appearances – 2014 – Indiana University – Honorary Degree (April 16, 2014)
Appearances – 2014 – Indiana University – IU Cinema Panel (April 16, 2014)
Appearances – 2014 – Indiana University – Master Class (April 16, 2014)
Here’s the final update on last Sunday’s Academy Awards with lots of additional pictures from the show being added. Many thanks to Lindsey for her contribution and to Joan for the screencaptures. It looks like Meryl didn’t do any interviews at the red carpet, at least I couldn’t find any (if you found some, let me know). But there’s enough to look at anyway. A video clip, featuring all essential Meryl have been added, including her “dance segement” with Pharrell Williams, the epic selfie that broke Twitter, Ellen’s pizza delivery, and, of course, the Best Actress segment. You can watch the video by clicking above. And to revive all pictures from the show, have a look at the full list below. Enjoy.
Appearances – 2014 – 86th Annual Academy Awards – Arrivals
Appearances – 2014 – 86th Annual Academy Awards – Show
Appearances – 2014 – 86th Annual Academy Awards – Screencaptures
Appearances – 2014 – 86th Annual Academy Awards – After-Party
Lots of additional pictures from yesterday’s Academy Awards have been added to the image library. This has been a fun ceremony, giving us Meryl dancing with Pharrell Williams, breaking Twitter records and eating pizza while Brad Pitt plays waiter – not bad for an Oscar broadcast. Check out the pictures from the red carpet and the show, with clips coming next.
The red carpet for the 86th Annual Academy Awards are in full swing and the first bunch of pictures have been added to the image library. There will be a live coverage of the ceremony on Simply Streep, so refresh the page and check the gallery for additions throughout the evening.