Actress Meryl Streep at the United Nations to take part in the OHCHR & Equality Now "Women Can't Wait" event at The United Nations on March 5, 2010 in New York City. (Getty Images)more pics »Meryl Streep was overwhelmed with emotion when she found out she'd been elected to the prestigious American Academy of Arts and Letters. And, this lady's no stranger to big honors -- she's won two Academy Awards and 7 Golden Globes -- so this must be a big deal. She was elected to a special category for “Americans of great distinction in the arts whose work falls outside the traditional departments” of music composition, literature and art.
Meryl Streep (Getty)
Directors
Woody Allen,
Martin Scorsese and
Stephen Sondheim are among current members, along with choreographers
Twyla Tharp and
Paul Taylor.
Meryl, the first member to be chosen solely for acting, said: “I have to say that I was stunned, and when they sent me the roster of people in the academy I just burst into tears. I couldn’t believe that I’d be even allowed in the kitchen.”
Conductor James Levine had also been elected to the Academy in the same category as Meryl. Poet and president of the organisation J.D. McClatchy said: “Both of this year’s inductees are performing artists, and both are at the peak of their careers. James Levine’s conducting and Meryl Street’s acting are extraordinary examples of insight, depth and virtuosity.”
Meryl and James will join other new members at a New York ceremony next month. Members of the American Academy of Arts and Letters join the organization for life, with new openings only available when someone dies.
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Meryl Streep (Getty)
