OBITUARY NOTICE: Born November 16, 1909 (some sources say 1908 or 1907), in Cleveland, OH; died of Alzheimer's disease and melanoma, September 9, 1997, inMalibu, CA. Actor, director, producer, writer. Meredith warmed his way intothe hearts of millions on stage and screen as a character actor. Whether he portrayed the villain or the likeable hero, Meredith displayed talents that earned him an Emmy for his portrayal in Tail Gunner Joe, two Academy Award nominations, and an Antoinette Perry Award nomination. He left Amherst College inthe 1920s and held a series of jobs, such as reporter, clerk, and merchant seaman, before turning his talents to acting. His Broadway debut was in Alicein Wonderland, produced in 1932. His other stage credits include The Barrettsof Wimpole Street, Winterset, and The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker. He also directed and produced many stage productions, including Season in the Sun and AThurber Carnival. During World War II, Meredith served in the U.S. Army AirForce as captain. After his wartime service, he returned to the screen as warcorrespondent Ernie Pyle in United Artists' The Story of G.I. Joe. As a supporting player, Meredith appeared in such classics as Of Mice and Men, The Manon the Eiffel Tower (which he also directed), Advise and Consent, Diary of aChambermaid (for which he wrote the screenplay), and McKenna's Gold. Meredith's distinctive voice could be heard on radio broadcasts from the 1930s to the 1950s. Meredith debuted on television in 1951 on The Billy Rose Show. In 1959 his portrayal of Henry Bemis, the bespeckled, book-loving, bank clerk in the Twilight Zone episode "Time Enough at Last," showed audiences the futilityof man's endeavors in the aftermath of nuclear war. In the mid-1960s Meredith quacked and waddled as the villain Penguin in ABC's Batman series. His other television appearances include hosting the 1980s series Those Amazing Animals. His seventy-five-year career got a boost when he portrayed the boxing trainer in the Rocky film series, starring Sylvester Stallone. His later film credits include King Lear, G.I. Joe--The Movie, Night of the Hunter, Grumpy OldMen, and Grumpier Old Men.
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