Meryl Streep to become first ever recipient of the Tribute Actor Award at Toronto International Film Festival

Veteran star Meryl Streep who has been lauded for her performance in award winning 'The Iron Lady', 'Devil Wears Prada' and currently in HBO's popular series Big Little Lies with Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman among others will be honoured with the Tribute Actor award at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival. 

The 70-year-old actor will be the first-ever recipient of the award, the festival organisers said.

"Announcing the incomparable Meryl Streep as the first-ever recipient of our TIFF Tribute Actor Award. #TIFF19" read a post from the festival's official Twitter handle.

Streep will receive the award in person on September 9, they added. The actor's next film "The Laundromat", about the Panama Papers scandal, is among the films that will be screened at the famed festival and recive its North American premiere at the festival.

"Meryl Streep is undoubtedly one of the most talented and versatile actors of her generation. Her tremendous contribution to cinema, television and the stage spans five decades, from her early roles in The Deer Hunter, Kramer vs. Kramer and Sophie's Choice to later films including The Devil Wears Prada, The Iron Lady, and The Post, she has portrayed characters that are as compelling as they are timeless," TIFF co-head Joana Vincente said in a statement.

In addition to Streep's The Laundromat, this year's line-up also includes the upcoming DC film Joker starring Joaquin Phoenix, Jennifer Lopez in Hustlers as well as A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood, a Mr. Rogers biopic starring Tom Hanks as the legendary children's television host, reported Variety. 

The opening night film is the documentary titled Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band. More selections will be announced in the coming weeks. The 44th Toronto International Film Festival is set to run September 5 to September 15. 

TIFF 2019 will run from September 5-15.