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Meryl Streep Academy Awards 2012 Best Actress Winner

First Posted: 02/27/2012 12:11 am Updated: 02/27/2012 12:09 pm

In what might have been the tightest race of Oscar night, Meryl Streep beat Viola Davis to win Best Actress at the 84th annual Academy Awards. With 17 nominations, Streep is the most lauded actor in the history of the Oscars; this is her third win.

"When they called my name, I had this feeling I could hear half of America going, 'Ohhh, no,'" the ever-delightful Streep said during her acceptance speech. She went on to tearfully thank her husband.

Streep won the award for playing Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady," following her reign as Britain's Prime Minister and into her more troubled twilight years. This win ends her 29-year losing streak; the last time Streep took home a trophy was in 1983 for her role in "Sophie's Choice."

It was down to the wire whether Streep would prevail over Davis. The pair are close friends after appearing together in "Doubt"; Streep won the Golden Globe and BAFTA award, but Davis grabbed Best Actress the Screen Actors Guild Awards -- a victory which many thought would lead to an Oscar.

In addition to Davis, Streep defeated Michelle Williams ("My Week With Marilyn"), Rooney Mara ("The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo") and Glenn Close ("Albert Nobbs") for the trophy.

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In what might have been the tightest race of Oscar night, Meryl Streep beat Viola Davis to win Best Actress at the 84th annual Academy Awards. With 17 nominations, Streep is the most lauded actor in t...
In what might have been the tightest race of Oscar night, Meryl Streep beat Viola Davis to win Best Actress at the 84th annual Academy Awards. With 17 nominations, Streep is the most lauded actor in t...
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11:33 PM on 02/29/2012
I've never seen an actor with greater talent than Meryl Streep, she is exceptional. She completely engulfs every character she plays and her range is incredible.
11:29 AM on 02/29/2012
Love Meryl. :D
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DavidEvan
chasing money changers out of government
08:04 PM on 02/28/2012
The real trick would be to get Margaret Thatcher to look like Meryl Streep.
03:19 PM on 02/28/2012
Apparently, Meryl Streep doesn't even care about winning anymore: http://www.omdoubleg.com/entertainment/after-winning-another-oscar-meryl-streep-getting-cocky/
10:51 AM on 02/28/2012
Loved her in her over the top role in She Devil
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eoagent0007
06:47 AM on 02/28/2012
Finally, the academy has come to its sensus. Streep is the best acting talent in the history of Women acting. I thought they were going to go politically correct with Viola Davis. The media was pushing the academy to give it Davis, I saw both movies. The acting ability wasn't even close. I've watched Streep breakthrough big with Deer Hunter back in the mid 70s, then seal the deal with Kramer v Kramer and Sophie's Choice. Look at why the media was pushing for Davis to win. She plays a black woman at a tough time for blacks in this country. Streep plays the conservative Margaret Thatcher. That's all you need to know, why they were pushing for Davis to win.
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EmilyRose2010
.Today is a new day!
08:28 AM on 02/28/2012
i agree, but she says of herself, she is cheap, somebody did her hair at least, and won't spend a lot of money on the evening gowns, she should! this dress did not fit her at all, come on, streep, the best actress of all time is anyone of the actresses from the 40s, my hat goes off to all of them.
05:58 PM on 02/28/2012
Actresses, especially nominated actresses, don't pay for their dresses. They're borrowed, as is all the jewelry they wear. I think she just doesn't really care about whose dress she wears.
When you're the best actress alive, you don't have to wear labels.
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Monrocsol
Bible is a fairy tale book
08:35 AM on 02/28/2012
I hated the real Thatcher.
04:16 AM on 02/28/2012
Well deserved!
01:53 AM on 02/28/2012
Miss Streep looked just fabulous. What can I say...A perfect 10!
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EmilyRose2010
.Today is a new day!
08:29 AM on 02/28/2012
the dress looked like it was going to fall off of her
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Monrocsol
Bible is a fairy tale book
08:36 AM on 02/28/2012
I love her, but she stuck a Victorian window treatment on her.
01:48 AM on 02/28/2012
Colin you are so right, "Mamma Mia."
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12:07 AM on 02/28/2012
Meryl Streep is worse than talentless she is BORING! She is blah bland. This movie was so boring it lowered my blood pressure. A waste of an oscar.
01:53 AM on 02/28/2012
OMG. Tell us how you really feel. No kidding.
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EmilyRose2010
.Today is a new day!
08:31 AM on 02/28/2012
they had no choice but to give it to her
11:43 PM on 02/27/2012
I'm delighted for her!
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DeloresT
Writer/retired teacher
11:40 PM on 02/27/2012
I was hoping for a Viola Davis win and if not her, then anyone but Meryl. Streep should do what Oprah did with the Emmys and remove her name from consideration. I am of Meryl's generation, but I'd like to see someone else win.....especially when she is as deserving as Viola Davis.
10:55 AM on 02/28/2012
PLEASE>>>NO comparision between Meryl and Oprah....Although I liked the help all she deid was play a maid...give me a break and take the PC out of everything in this country already....its help bring this counrty to where it is today....in TROUBLE!!!!!
useyourbrain
Somewhere out there in the dark
10:51 PM on 02/27/2012
Everyone of her nominations is a "win" if you think about it. Same is true for all of the other nominees. Really, with all that talent, how did they get it to five and among those five, just pick one.
And none of it matters anyway since 50 years from now, no one will remember who won what, but they will get to see great acting when they view any of the nominees films on whatever technology that has yet to be developed.
10:49 PM on 02/27/2012
Love Meryl but wanted Viola to win.
09:15 PM on 02/27/2012
Thank goodness Viola Davis didn't win
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DeloresT
Writer/retired teacher
11:43 PM on 02/27/2012
???????