Acclaimed actress Meryl Streep has won her third Academy Award
for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady.
She won the accolade for her role in Phyllida Lloyd's smash-hit
film, which has been both a critical and commercial success
internationally.
The award, which was bestowed by Colin Firth last night in
California, is Streep's third.
The actress joked she could hear "half of America going 'Oh no"'
when her name was read out before thanking her husband, Don
Gummer.
She said: "I really want to thank all my colleagues, all my
friends, I look out here and see my life before my eyes, my old
friends, my new friends and really this is such a great honour.
"But the thing that counts the most with me is the friendships
and the love and the sheer joy we have shared making movies
together."
The Iron Lady took the UK by storm on its opening weekend,
taking over £2.1million.
Lloyd, who also directed Streep in Mamma Mia!, remains one of the
most successful openly-gay directors.
