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Born: November 16, 1907 – Died: September 9, 1997
A titan of acting, Burgess Meredith's journey from Cleveland's cobblestones to Hollywood's Hall of Fame is a testament to his enduring talent and versatility. Born in the early 20th century into a family of modest means, Meredith's father was a physician, which planted early seeds of discipline and compassion that would later permeate his eclectic roles.
Early Life and Career
Meredith's early years in Ohio were steeped in academia, culminating in his studies at Amherst College, Massachusetts. Post-graduation, in 1929, he cut his teeth in acting with Eva Le Gallienne's Student Repertory Company. His Broadway debut came swiftly, with his breakthrough role arriving in 1934 as a star in 'Little 'Ol Boy'. It wasn't long before his Broadway success led him to the silver screen.
His initial foray into film was met with the kind of acclaim that hinted at his future legacy. By the 1950s, despite a setback due to the political climate and the House Un-American Activities Committee, Meredith's resilience shone through. He re-emerged on television in the 1960s and captured new audiences in iconic film series.
Throughout his illustrious career, Meredith garnered significant accolades, including two Oscar nominations, and left an indelible mark with roles that won hearts and sparked imaginations. Off-screen, his life was just as rich, with interests that spanned beyond the camera. He was known for his vocal environmentalism and opposition to the Vietnam War.
Meredith's personal life was as full as his career, with marriages, children, and a gamut of hobbies and interests that painted the picture of a man as colorful off-screen as he was on it.
In conclusion, Burgess Meredith was not just an actor but an institution in himself. His remarkable adaptability and dedication to his craft made him a beloved figure in entertainment, an enduring icon whose work continues to inspire.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Ripper (Video Game) | Hamilton Wofford | Covington Wofford |
| 1995 | Grumpier Old Men | Grandpa Gustafson |
| 1995 | Tall Tale | Old Man (uncredited) |
| 1994 | The Great Battles of the Civil War (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1994 | Across the Moon | Barney |
| 1994 | Camp Nowhere | Fein |
| 1993 | Grumpy Old Men | Grandpa Gustafson |
| 1993 | In the Heat of the Night (TV Series) | Judge Culley | Judge Cully |
| 1992 | Lincoln (TV Movie) | Winfield Scott (voice) |
| 1992 | Mastergate (TV Movie) | Wiley Slaughter |
| 1991 | Night of the Hunter (TV Movie) | Birdy |
| 1990 | *Rocky V* | Mickey |
| 1990 | State of Grace | Finn |
| 1990 | Oddball Hall | Ingersol |
| 1989 | The Wickedest Witch (TV Movie) | Narrator (voice) |
| 1988 | Full Moon in Blue Water | The General |
| 1988 | Hot to Trot | Don's Dad (voice, uncredited) |
| 1987 | Mister Corbett's Ghost (TV Movie) | Mad Tom |
| 1987 | King Lear | Don Learo (uncredited) |
| 1987 | G.I. Joe: The Movie (Video) | Golobulus (voice) |
| 1986 | The Blinkins: The Bear and the Blizzard (TV Movie) | Mr. Ben the Owl (voice) |
| 1986 | Outrage! (TV Movie) | Judge Aaron Klein |
| 1985 | Answers (TV Movie) | Chas Potter (Segment "The Constituent") |
| 1985 | Glitter (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1985 | Santa Claus: The Movie | Ancient Elf |
| 1984 | Zebulon Pike and the Blue Mountain | Narrator |
| 1984 | Wet Gold (TV Movie) | Sampson |
| 1984 | Faerie Tale Theatre (TV Series) | Mr. Mole |
| 1983 | Chasing the Limits (TV Movie) | Narrator (voice) |
| 1983 | Twilight Zone: The Movie | Narrator (voice, uncredited) |
| 1982–1983 | Gloria (TV Series) | Dr. Willard Adams |
| 1983 | Als je begrijpt wat ik bedoel | Bul Super (English version, voice) |
| 1982 | Archie Bunker's Place (TV Series) | Dr. Adams | Dr. Willard Adams | Dr. Williard Adams |
| 1982 | *Rocky III* | Mickey Goldmill |
| 1982 | Puff and the Incredible Mr. Nobody (TV Movie) | Puff (voice) |
| 1981 | True Confessions | Msgr. Seamus Fargo |
| 1981 | Clash of the Titans | Ammon |
| 1981 | The Last Chase | Captain J.G. Williams |
| 1981 | Mr. Griffin and Me (TV Movie) | Kenneth Griffin |
| 1980 | Final Assignment | Zak |
| 1980 | When Time Ran Out... | Rene Valdez |
| 1979 | Puff the Magic Dragon in the Land of the Living Lies (TV Movie) | Puff (voice) |
| 1979 | *Rocky II* | Mickey |
| 1978 | Magic | Ben Greene |
| 1978 | Puff the Magic Dragon (TV Movie) | Puff (voice) |
| 1978 | Foul Play | Mr. Hennessey |
| 1978 | Kate Bliss and the Ticker Tape Kid (TV Movie) | William Blackstone |
| 1978 | The Manitou | Dr. Snow |
| 1978 | The Return of Captain Nemo (TV Movie) | Prof. Waldo Cunningham |
| 1977 | The Wandering Muse of Artemus Flagg (TV Movie) | Artemus Flagg |
| 1977 | Golden Rendezvous | Van Heurden |
| 1977 | The Last Hurrah (TV Movie) | Cardinal Burke |
| 1977 | The Great Bank Hoax | Jack Stutz |
| 1977 | SST: Death Flight (TV Movie) | Willy Basset |
| 1977 | Tail Gunner Joe (TV Movie) | Joseph Welch |
| 1977 | Johnny, We Hardly Knew Ye (TV Movie) | John F. 'Honey Fitz' Fitzgerald |
| 1977 | The Sentinel | Charles Chazen |
| 1976 | Circasia (Short) | Clown |
| 1976 | *Rocky* | Mickey |
| 1976 | CBS Children's Film Festival (TV Series) | Narrator (voice) |
| 1976 | Burnt Offerings | Arnold Allardyce |
| 1975 | The Time of Apollo (Short) | Narrator (voice) |
| 1975 | The Hindenburg | Emilio Pajetta |
| 1975 | The Master Gunfighter | Narrator (voice) |
| 1975 | 92 in the Shade | Goldsboro |
| 1975 | The Day of the Locust | Harry |
| 1974–1975 | Korg: 70,000 B.C. (TV Series) | Narrator (voice) |
| 1974 | From Sea to Shining Sea (TV Series) | John Adams |
| 1974 | Hay que matar a B. | Hector |
| 1974 | Golden Needles | Winters |
| 1974 | Freakies (TV Mini Series) | Narrator (voice) |
| 1972–1973 | Search (TV Series) | V.C.R. Cameron |
| 1973 | Old Faithful (TV Movie) | Chief Ranger |
| 1970–1972 | Night Gallery (TV Series) | Charlie Finnegan | Dr. William Fall (segment "The Little Black Bag") |
| 1972 | Mannix (TV Series) | Noah Otway |
| 1972 | The Man | Senator Watson |
| 1972 | Beware! The Blob | Old Hobo (uncredited) |
| 1972 | A Fan's Notes | Mr. Blue |
| 1972 | The New Healers (TV Movie) | Dr. Simmons |
| 1972 | Probe (TV Movie) | V.C.R. Cameron |
| 1972 | Getting Away from It All (TV Movie) | Captain Frank Coffin |
| 1972 | McCloud (TV Series) | Sloan |
| 1968–1972 | Ironside (TV Series) | Harry Grenadine | Alfred Carney |
| 1971 | Such Good Friends | Kalman |
| 1971 | The Man and the City (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1971 | The Magical World of Disney (TV Series) | Henry Meade |
| 1971 | The Strange Monster of Strawberry Cove (TV Movie) | Henry Meade |
| 1970–1971 | Love, American Style (TV Series) | Harrison Merriweather (segment "Love and the Artful Codger") | The Reverend (segment "Love and the Hypnotist") |
| 1971 | Lock, Stock and Barrel (TV Movie) | Rev. Willie Pursle |
| 1971 | Room 222 (TV Series) | Morris Henry |
| 1971 | Clay Pigeon | Freedom Lovelace |
| 1968–1971 | The Virginian (TV Series) | Muley | Tim Bradbury |
| 1970 | The Name of the Game (TV Series) | Richard Garver |
| 1970 | The Bold Ones: The Senator (TV Series) | George P. Mallon |
| 1970 | There Was a Crooked Man... | The Missouri Kid |
| 1970 | The Yin and the Yang of Mr. Go | The Dolphin |
| 1969 | Winter of the Witch (TV Movie) | Narrated by (voice) |
| 1969 | The Father (Short) | Captain Ned |
| 1969 | The Reivers | Lucius | Narrator (voice) |
| 1969 | Hard Contract | Ramsey Williams |
| 1969 | Mackenna's Gold | The Storekeeper |
| 1969 | Daniel Boone (TV Series) | Alex Hemming |
| 1968 | Skidoo | The Warden |
| 1968 | The Monkees (TV Series) | The Penguin (uncredited) |
| 1968 | Stay Away, Joe | Charlie Lightcloud |
| 1966–1968 | Batman (TV Series) | The Penguin |
| 1967 | Bonanza (TV Series) | Owney Duggan |
| 1967 | Torture Garden | Dr. Diabolo (Framework Story) |
| 1967 | The Invaders (TV Series) | Theodore Booth |
| 1967 | Hurry Sundown | Judge Purcell |
| 1966 | The Crazy-Quilt | Narrator (voice) |
| 1966 | Batman: The Movie | The Penguin |
| 1966 | A Big Hand for the Little Lady | Doc Scully (as Burgess Meridith) |
| 1966 | Branded (TV Series) | Horace Greeley |
| 1966 | Please Don't Eat the Daisies (TV Series) | Muldoon |
| 1966 | Madame X | Dan Sullivan |
| 1966 | 12 O'Clock High (TV Series) | Dr. Michael Rink |
| 1965 | The Loner (TV Series) | Siedry |
| 1965 | The Trials of O'Brien (TV Series) | Judge Benjamin Vincent |
| 1965 | The Wild Wild West (TV Series) | Orkney Cadwallader |
| 1965 | Laredo (TV Series) | Grubby Sully |
| 1965 | Mr. Novak (TV Series) | Principal Martin Woodridge |
| 1965 | In Harm's Way | Commander Egan Powell |
| 1965 | Profiles in Courage (TV Series) | John Peter Altgeld |
| 1963–1964 | Burke's Law (TV Series) | Harold Harold | Burton Reese | Sidney Wilde |
| 1964 | Fanfare for a Death Scene (TV Movie) | Prof. George Bannerman |
| 1961–1964 | Rawhide (TV Series) | Hannibal H. Plew | Matthew Higgins | Tom Gwynn |
| 1964 | Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (TV Series) | Tumblers Fuller |
| 1964 | Wagon Train (TV Series) | Grover Allen |
| 1964 | The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters (TV Series) | Saracen |
| 1963 | Breaking Point (TV Series) | Walter Osborne |
| 1963 | The Cardinal | Father Ned Halley |
| 1963 | 77 Sunset Strip (TV Series) | Vincent Marion |
| 1959–1963 | The Twilight Zone (TV Series) | Mr. Smith | Romney Wordsworth | Luther Dingle ... |
| 1962 | Ben Casey (TV Series) | Lester Partridge |
| 1962 | Sam Benedict (TV Series) | Cyrus Carter |
| 1962 | The Eleventh Hour (TV Series) | Christopher Norbert III | Christopher Norbert II |
| 1962 | Naked City (TV Series) | Duncan Kleist |
| 1962 | Advise & Consent | Herbert Gelman |
| 1961 | Play of the Week (TV Series) | Vladimir |
| 1959 | Our American Heritage (TV Series) | Eli Whitney |
| 1959 | Sunday Showcase (TV Series) | Eli Whitney |
| 1959 | Ah, Wilderness! (TV Movie) | Sid Davis |
| 1959 | The DuPont Show of the Month (TV Series) | Narrator (voice) |
| 1958 | The Kidnappers | Louis Halliburton |
| 1954–1958 | General Electric Theater (TV Series) | Velvet Pants | Thomas A. Edison |
| 1957 | Suspicion (TV Series) | Ramskill |
| 1957 | The United States Steel Hour (TV Series) | Alec Sherwood |
| 1957 | Albert Schweitzer | Narrator (voice) |
| 1957 | Joe Butterfly | Joe Butterfly |
| 1952–1955 | Omnibus (TV Series) | Narrator (segment "Excursion House") | (segment "The Sea of Winslow Homer") | (segment "The Virtuous Island") ... |
| 1953 | Tales of Tomorrow (TV Series) | Paul |
| 1952 | Lux Video Theatre (TV Series) | David |
| 1952 | Celanese Theatre (TV Series) | Rodney Deane |
| 1950–1951 | Lights Out (TV Series) | Professor Lyman |
| 1950 | The Philco Television Playhouse (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1950 | The Billy Rose Show (TV Series) | Billy Rose |
| 1950 | Studio One (TV Series) | Gulley Jimson |
| 1950 | Robert Montgomery Presents (TV Series) | Stage Manager |
| 1949 | The Gay Adventure | Dick |
| 1949 | The Man on the Eiffel Tower | Joseph Heurtin |
| 1949 | The Silver Theatre (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1949 | The Ford Theatre Hour (TV Series) | Biff Grimes |
| 1949 | Jigsaw | Jack - Bartender (cameo appearance) (uncredited) |
| 1948 | On Our Merry Way | Oliver M. Pease |
| 1947 | Mine Own Executioner | Felix Milne |
| 1946 | Magnificent Doll | James Madison |
| 1946 | The Diary of a Chambermaid | Captain Mauger |
| 1945 | A Walk in the Sun | Narrator (voice, uncredited) |
| 1945 | Story of G.I. Joe | Ernie Pyle - Scripps-Howard War Correspondent |
| 1944 | Salute to France (Short) | Joe - the American Soldier |
| 1943 | The Rear Gunner (Short) | Pvt. L.A. Pee Wee Williams |
| 1942 | Street of Chance | Frank Thompson |
| 1941 | Tom, Dick and Harry | Harry |
| 1941 | That Uncertain Feeling | Alexander Sebastian |
| 1940 | San Francisco Docks | Johnny Barnes |
| 1940 | Second Chorus | Hank Taylor |
| 1940 | Castle on the Hudson | Steven Rockford |
| 1939 | Of Mice and Men | George Milton |
| 1939 | Idiot's Delight | Quillery |
| 1938 | Spring Madness | The Lippencott |
| 1937 | There Goes the Groom | Dick Matthews |
| 1936 | Winterset | Mio Romagna |
| 1935 | The Scoundrel | Flop House Bum (uncredited) |