Harry William Streep, Jr.: Who was Meryl Streep’s father?

Harry William Streep, Jr. was the father of Maryl Streep. Harry William Streep, Jr.’s daughter is one of the most decorated actors in history. She has received numerous accolades throughout her career, including a record 21 Academy Award nominations, winning three, and a record 32 Golden Globe Award nominations, winning eight. She is known for starring in films such as Adaptation (2002), The Hours, The Devil Wears Prada, Doubt, Mamma Mia! and  The Iron Lady.

Harry William Streep, Jr.: Bio Summary

Who was Meryl Streep’s father?

Harry William Streep, Jr. was born on October 3, 1910, in Newark, New Jersey, United States of America. He was the son of Harry William Streep and Helena F. Huber. Harry spent most of his childhood in Newark and Madison, NJ, graduating from Madison High School in 1926 and attending Brown University and Rutgers.

He was of German and Swiss descent; his lineage traced back to Loffenau, from where his great-grandfather, Gottfried Streeb, immigrated to the United States and where one of his ancestors served as mayor (the surname was later changed to “Streep”). Another line of Harry William Streep, Jr.’s family was from Giswil.

Harry William Streep, Jr. was a pharmaceutical executive

Meryl Streep’s father was a pharmaceutical executive. He was married to Mary Wilkinson Streep a fine artist and art editor. Though it’s unclear the exact date the couple walked down the aisle, they had three children- Meryl Streep and her two younger brothers- Dana Streep and Harry Streep III, both actors.

ALSO, READ; Mary Wilkinson Streep: What happened to Meryl Streep’s mother?

While active in business as an executive of Merck and Co., Harry William Streep and his family resided in Madison, Basking Ridge, and Bernardsville, NJ per Familypedia. In 1976, Meryl Streep’s parents retired to Masons Island in Stonington, CT.

What happened to Meryl Streep’s father?

Harry William Streep, Jr. passed away on July 22, 2003, in Stamford, Connecticut, United States. He was 92. He died of renal failure at Edgehill Lifecare Community in Stamford, his family told The Advocate of Stamford. He was laid to rest at Somerset Hills Memorial Park in Basking Ridge, Somerset County, New Jersey, USA.

Harry William Streep’s wife Mary Wilkinson Streep also passed away at Cornell Medical Center from complications of heart disease after a short illness on 29 September 2001. Meryl Streep’s mother was 86 years old at the time of her passing. 

ALSO, READ; Dana Streep: Inside the Life of Meryl Streep’s brother

Meryl Streep compared her mother in both appearance and manner to Dame Judi Dench. She strongly encouraged her daughter and instilled confidence in her from a very young age. The actress said, “She was a mentor because she said to me, ‘Meryl, you’re capable. You’re so great.’ She was saying, ‘You can do whatever you put your mind to. If you’re lazy, you’re not going to get it done. But if you put your mind to it, you can do anything.’ And I believed her.“

Harry William Streep, Jr. and his wife raised their children as Presbyterians. Later in life, when Meryl Streep was asked if religion played a part in her life in 2009, Streep replied: “I follow no doctrine. I don’t belong to a church or a temple or a synagogue or an ashram.” In another interview in December 2008, the actress alluded to her lack of religious belief when she said:

ALSO, READ; Harry Streep III: Who is Meryl Streep’s brother?

So, I’ve always been really, deeply interested because I think I can understand the solace that’s available in the whole construct of religion. But I really don’t believe in the power of prayer, or things would have been avoided that have happened, that are awful. So, it’s a horrible position as an intelligent, emotional, yearning human being to sit outside of the available comfort there. But I just can’t go there.