Role

:

Performer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

November 16, 1907 in Cleveland, OH

Death

:

September 9, 1997 in Malibu, CA

Genre

:

Film

 

Burgess Meredith was an American actor, director, and producer who was born on November 16, 1907, in Cleveland, Ohio. He was the son of Ida Beth (née Burgess) and Dr. William George Meredith, a Canadian-born physician. Meredith grew up in Amherst, Ohio, and attended Hoosac School in Massachusetts before enrolling at Amherst College. However, he dropped out after two years to pursue a career in acting. Meredith began his acting career in the 1930s, appearing in several Broadway productions, including "Winterset" and "The Playboy of the Western World." He made his film debut in 1936 in "Winterset," which was based on the Broadway play of the same name. Meredith's performance in the film earned him critical acclaim, and he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Throughout the 1940s, Meredith continued to work in both film and theater. He appeared in several notable films, including "Of Mice and Men" (1940), "The Story of G.I. Joe" (1945), and "The Diary of a Chambermaid" (1946). In 1949, he starred in the Broadway production of "The Shrike," which earned him a Tony Award for Best Actor. In the 1950s, Meredith continued to work in both film and theater, but he also began to make a name for himself in television. He appeared in several popular TV shows, including "The Twilight Zone," "Batman," and "The Wild Wild West." In 1959, he received an Emmy Award nomination for his performance in the TV series "The United States Steel Hour." Meredith's career continued to flourish in the 1960s and 1970s. He appeared in several notable films, including "Advise and Consent" (1962), "The Cardinal" (1963), and "The Day of the Locust" (1975). He also continued to work in television, appearing in several TV movies and series, including "Rich Man, Poor Man" and "Roots." One of Meredith's most iconic roles came in 1976 when he played the character of Mickey Goldmill in the film "Rocky." The film was a huge success, and Meredith's performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He reprised his role as Mickey in the sequels "Rocky II" (1979), "Rocky III" (1982), and "Rocky V" (1990). In addition to his work in film, theater, and television, Meredith was also a talented musician. He played the piano and the harmonica and was known to sing on occasion. He even released an album in 1958 called "Burgess Meredith Sings Songs of the Depression." Throughout his career, Meredith received numerous awards and honors for his work in the entertainment industry. In addition to his Tony Award and Emmy Award nominations, he also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960. In 1982, he was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame. Meredith continued to work in the entertainment industry until his death on September 9, 1997, at the age of 89. He left behind a legacy of memorable performances and a reputation as one of the most versatile actors of his time.

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