Burgess Meredith

Burgess Meredith, born as Oliver Burgess Meredith on November 16, 1907, was a renowned American actor and filmmaker. Known for his extensive career that enveloped radio, theater, film, and television, Meredith’s contributions to the entertainment industry spanned over six impressive decades. Meredith's talent and efforts established him as a leading figure in Hollywood. Some of his notable roles include Mio Romagna in Winterset (1936), George Milton in Of Mice and Men (1939), and Ernie Pyle in The Story of G.I. Joe (1945). He became famously known for his work on The Twilight Zone, for his role as The Penguin in Batman's 1960s TV series, and as Mickey Goldmill, the boxing trainer in the Rocky film series. Along with his acting career, Meredith also directed and narrated numerous documentaries and films, displaying his versatile skills. He also showed significant presence in theater plays both as an actor and director. Meredith's talent was not confined to acting and directing; he also served his nation during World War II by enlisting in the United States Army Air Forces. One of his noteworthy contributions was the narration he provided for the war film A Walk in the Sun (1945). In his personal life, Meredith married four times and had two children. He passed away on September 9, 1997, from complications of Alzheimer's disease.