It feels like Meryl Streep has been on our screens forever. Seriously. From the heartbreaking choices in 1940s Poland to the terrifying glares from behind a desk at Runway magazine, she is basically the architecture of modern cinema. But lately, everyone seems to be asking the same thing: how old meryl streep actually is today.
Maybe it's because she looks so radiant in Only Murders in the Building. Or maybe it’s the rumors about her and Martin Short that have everyone checking her birth certificate.
She's 76.
Specifically, Mary Louise Streep was born on June 22, 1949. That makes her a Cancer, for those who track the stars in the sky as much as the ones on the screen. By the time June 2026 rolls around, she’ll be hitting the big 77.
Why We Are Still Obsessed With How Old Meryl Streep Is
Age in Hollywood used to be a death sentence, especially for women. You hit 40 and suddenly you're playing the "grandmother" to an actor who is only five years younger than you. Meryl didn't just break that rule; she pulverized it.
She was nearly 60 when she did Mamma Mia! and The Devil Wears Prada. Most people are looking at retirement brochures at that age, but she was busy becoming a box-office queen. Honestly, her career since turning 50 has been more prolific than most actors' entire lifetimes.
The fascinaton with how old meryl streep is stems from a weird kind of disbelief. We see her at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival or at the Albie Awards in late 2025, and she just doesn't fit the "elderly" mold the media used to force on actresses. She’s currently 76, yet she's headlining some of the biggest projects slated for 2026.
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The 2026 Comeback: Miranda Priestly and Beyond
If you thought she was slowing down, you haven't been paying attention to the trades.
The biggest news? The Devil Wears Prada 2. It is officially happening. Disney has it slated for a May 1, 2026, release. Meryl is returning as the legendary Miranda Priestly.
Can you imagine?
She’ll be 76 playing a high-powered fashion mogul navigating a dying magazine industry. It’s perfect. It’s also exactly why her age matters—she represents a generation that refuses to be sidelined.
But it’s not just the Prada sequel. She’s also:
- Voicing the Insect Queen in Pixar's Hoppers (March 2026).
- Starring alongside Sigourney Weaver in the thriller Useful Idiots.
- Rumored to be returning for Mamma Mia! 3, despite her character’s... uh, "ghostly" status.
Separating Fact from Fiction
You’ve probably seen the clickbait. "Meryl Streep Retires!" or "Meryl's Health Crisis!"
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Ignore it.
The woman is fine. In fact, she’s been incredibly active. Just this January, she was spotted at a screening for My Undesirable Friends: Part I – Last Air in Moscow in Los Angeles. She’s also been a regular at high-profile events like George and Amal Clooney’s Albie Awards.
There’s also the personal stuff. People were shocked when news broke that she and her husband of 45 years, Don Gummer, had actually been separated since 2017. It was a masterclass in privacy.
Then came the Martin Short rumors. They’ve been fueling "dating" speculation for a couple of years now, mostly because they look like they’re having the time of their lives whenever they’re together. Whether they are a couple or just "besties," it’s clear she’s living her best life at 76.
The Secret to the "Meryl Glow"
Everyone wants to know how she looks that good.
Is it expensive creams? Magic?
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She actually credits a pretty simple habit: not touching her face. Dermatologists actually back this up because it prevents the spread of bacteria and unnecessary skin stretching. She also famously avoids excessive plastic surgery, which has allowed her face to remain expressive—a tool that has earned her 21 Oscar nominations.
A Quick Look at the Numbers (No Tables Needed)
Meryl's stats are honestly exhausting to read. She has three Academy Awards (for Kramer vs. Kramer, Sophie’s Choice, and The Iron Lady). She holds the record for the most Golden Globe nominations (over 30!) and wins (8). She’s won Emmys, BAFTAs, and even a Presidential Medal of Freedom.
When you look at how old meryl streep is in the context of this legacy, it’s not about the years. It’s about the density of the work.
What This Means for You
If there’s an "actionable insight" to be taken from Meryl Streep’s life at 76, it’s about the long game. She didn't peak in her 20s. She didn't stop learning accents in her 50s. She didn't let a "separated" status at 74 stop her from showing up and supporting her friends.
To keep up with Meryl’s upcoming 2026 projects:
- Mark May 1 on your calendar for the Prada sequel.
- Watch for the Pixar release of Hoppers in March.
- Keep an eye on the film festival circuit for Useful Idiots.
The reality is that age is just a data point for Meryl. She’s too busy working on her next accent to worry about it.
Next Steps:
- Check your local cinema listings for the Hoppers trailer, which is already circulating.
- Re-watch The Devil Wears Prada on Disney+ to refresh your memory before the 2026 sequel drops.
- Follow the official Meryl Streep Archives for updates on her 77th birthday celebrations this June.