Streep extends Oscar nominations record

Three-time Oscar winner Meryl Streep extended her record as the performer with the most Academy Award nominations, with her 18th nod announced on Thursday. "Hunger Games" star Jennifer Lawrence meanwhile became the youngest ever three-time acting nominee at 23, with her performance in top-tipped crime caper "American Hustle." Woody Allen -- famously averse to awards ceremonies -- added to his record for writing nominations with his 16th nod, while composer John Williams has the most nods of any living person, with 49. Streep has won three Oscars in her long career in 17 previous nominations. She added another one Thursday, for best actress for playing a drug-addled matriarch in bleak family drama "August: Osage County." She last won two years ago, for her compelling portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady." Before that she had not won for nearly three decades: in 1980 for best supporting actress in "Kramer vs. Kramer" and 1983 for best actress in "Sophie's Choice." Reacting to her latest nomination, she said Thursday: "I am so happy for our film that (co-star) Julia (Roberts) and I have been nominated. "We are both so proud of 'August: Osage County.' This honor from the Academy, for which we are truly grateful, will help bring attention to our film from audiences across the country, which is thrilling," she added. Lawrence meanwhile won a third nomination for her role in "American Hustle," which shared the most Oscar nods announced Thursday with 3D space drama "Gravity," at 10 each. The previous youngest person to garner three Oscar nominations was Terry Wright, who was 24 years old when she received her third nod in 1942, according to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Allen -- who failed to turn up in Los Angeles on Sunday to accept a lifetime achievement Golden Globe -- meanwhile won his 16th writing nomination for "Blue Jasmine." Prolific movie composer Williams added to his tally with a nod for the score of "The Book Thief." Williams has the most Oscar nods of any living person. The only figure who has ever scored more is Walt Disney, who had 59 nominations, and won 22 of the prized golden statuettes.