Share

Burgess Meredith biography

1 photo

Quick Facts

  • PLACE OF DEATH: Malibu, California
  • Originally: Oliver Burgess Meredith
more about Burgess

Best Known For

Actor Burgess Meredith appeared on stage, film and TV. Memorable roles included George in the 1939 film Of Mice and Men and Mickey Goldmill in Rocky.

Synopsis

Burgess Meredith was born on November 16, 1907, in Ohio. He held a number of odd jobs before pursuing acting. His Broadway debut was in 1933 with the show Little Ol’ Boy and he went on to play many more roles. He founded the New Stage Society and was Vice President of the Actors’ Equity. He appeared in films such as 1939’s Of Mice and Men. He went on to direct films and appear on television. He died in 1997.

Contents

Profile

Actor, director. Born Oliver Burgess Meredith in Cleveland, Ohio. After holding a variety of jobs and attending college sporadically during the 1920, Meredith became determined to break into show business. He began an unpaid apprenticeship in 1929 with Eva Le Gallienne's Civic Repertory Company in New York City. After making his Broadway debut in 1933's Little Ol' Boy, Meredith achieved great success in 1935 as Mio in the Maxwell Anderson play Winterset. He was a founder of the New Stage Society in 1937and served as vice president of the Actors' Equity in 1938. Meredith also played memorable stage roles in High Tor(1937), Liliom (1940), Playboy of the Western World (1946), and Major Barbara(1956). His notable film performances include roles in Of Mice and Men(1939), Advise and Consent(1962), and Rocky (1976). He was a character actor in television and also directed motion pictures (The Man in the Eiffel Tower, 1950) and plays including Macbeth and the Broadway production of James Baldwin's play Blues for Mr. Charlie. In the 1990s, he was noted for his role in Grumpy Old Men.

Meredith died September 9, 1997 of Alzheimer's disease and melanoma.

© 2012 A+E Networks. All rights reserved.

ADVERTISEMENT
9542624 9542624
profile id: 9542624
profile name: Burgess Meredith
profile occupation:
related profile id: 9542624
related profile name: Burgess Meredith
related profile occupation:
related profile img: /imported/images/Biography/Images/Profiles/M/Burgess-Meredith-WC-9542624-1-402.jpg
related profile URL: /people/burgess-meredith-9542624
profile
pop
Your Connections

Sign in with Facebook to see how you and your friends are connected to famous icons.

specific profile connection
See More Bio Connections
Your Friends' Connections
specific friend connection
Profile Connections
    Show More Connections
    Included In These Groups

    See all related groups

    Celebrity Connections

    Show More Connections
    Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us!