Academy honor reduces Streep to tears
Source: Agencies |
April 13, 2010, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
MERYL Streep, star of films such as "Sophie's Choice" and "Julie & Julia," has been named an honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, an elite club that includes Toni Morrison, Stephen Sondheim and Jasper Johns.
Not even two Oscars, seven Golden Globes and a lifetime achievement prize from the American Film Institute prepared Streep for the honor.
"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," Streep said. "I couldn't believe that I'd be even allowed in the kitchen."
The 112-year-old academy said yesterday that Streep and conductor James Levine had been elected to a special category, established in 1983, for "Americans of great distinction in the arts whose work falls outside the traditional departments" of music (composition), literature and art.
Architects Fumihiko Maki of Japan and Alvaro Siza of Portugal were added to the academy's honorary category for foreign artists.
Directors Woody Allen (with whom Streep worked in "Manhattan") and Martin Scorsese and choreographers Twyla Tharp and Paul Taylor are among the current members. While Allen and former member Orson Welles both worked extensively on screen, Streep is the first to be chosen solely for acting.
"Both of this year's inductees are performing artists, and both are at the peak of their careers," said poet and Academy President J.D. McClatchy. "James Levine's conducting and Meryl Streep's acting are extraordinary examples of insight, depth and virtuosity."
Inductees into the main body include authors Marilynne Robinson, Francine Prose, Thomas McGuane and Richard Powers, composers Tania Leon and Fred Lerdahl, architect Thom Mayne and painters Thomas Nozknowski and Peter Saul.
The inductees demonstrate how far the academy has come from its frankly snobbish roots, when women, non-whites and Jews were not welcome and the presence of a "lowly" actress might have set off mass resignations.
Not even two Oscars, seven Golden Globes and a lifetime achievement prize from the American Film Institute prepared Streep for the honor.
"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," Streep said. "I couldn't believe that I'd be even allowed in the kitchen."
The 112-year-old academy said yesterday that Streep and conductor James Levine had been elected to a special category, established in 1983, for "Americans of great distinction in the arts whose work falls outside the traditional departments" of music (composition), literature and art.
Architects Fumihiko Maki of Japan and Alvaro Siza of Portugal were added to the academy's honorary category for foreign artists.
Directors Woody Allen (with whom Streep worked in "Manhattan") and Martin Scorsese and choreographers Twyla Tharp and Paul Taylor are among the current members. While Allen and former member Orson Welles both worked extensively on screen, Streep is the first to be chosen solely for acting.
"Both of this year's inductees are performing artists, and both are at the peak of their careers," said poet and Academy President J.D. McClatchy. "James Levine's conducting and Meryl Streep's acting are extraordinary examples of insight, depth and virtuosity."
Inductees into the main body include authors Marilynne Robinson, Francine Prose, Thomas McGuane and Richard Powers, composers Tania Leon and Fred Lerdahl, architect Thom Mayne and painters Thomas Nozknowski and Peter Saul.
The inductees demonstrate how far the academy has come from its frankly snobbish roots, when women, non-whites and Jews were not welcome and the presence of a "lowly" actress might have set off mass resignations.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 娌狪CP璇侊細娌狪CP澶05050403鍙-1
- |
- 浜掕仈缃戞柊闂讳俊鎭湇鍔¤鍙瘉锛31120180004
- |
- 缃戠粶瑙嗗惉璁稿彲璇侊細0909346
- |
- 骞挎挱鐢佃鑺傜洰鍒朵綔璁稿彲璇侊細娌瓧绗354鍙
- |
- 澧炲肩數淇′笟鍔＄粡钀ヨ鍙瘉锛氭勃B2-20120012
Copyright 漏 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
