Born: July 14, 1878 – Died: November 18, 1946
Donald Meek, a name synonymous with the quintessential character actor , was more than his screen persona suggested. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, he was a diminutive figure in stature but colossal in talent. Meek's early life was a blend of adventure and artistry, setting the stage for his later success in the entertainment industry.
Early Life and Career
Donald Meek's journey into acting was unconventional. At fourteen, he joined an acrobatic team, but a severe accident led him to a different path. His resilience saw him serve in the Spanish-American War and later in World War I with the Canadian Highlanders. These experiences, far removed from the world of acting, enriched his character and informed his later roles.
Meek's passion for acting ignited at a young age. By eight, he was already performing in pantomimes, and his journey took him across continents, from Australia to England. After his military service, Meek turned his full attention to acting, honing his craft in various stock companies and eventually making his Broadway debut in 1903.
In the late 1920s, Meek transitioned to film, bringing his unique presence to the silver screen . He became a staple in Hollywood, known for playing meek and mild-mannered characters with a touch of endearing eccentricity. His role as the toy maker Mr. Poppins in "You Can't Take It with You" (1938) and the whiskey salesman Samuel Peacock in Stagecoach (1939) showcased his versatility and ability to steal scenes despite his slight frame.
Meek's career, spanning over 120 roles, was a testament to his enduring talent and adaptability. Despite his dream of retiring to cultivate hybrid roses, his life was cut short in 1946. However, his legacy was immortalized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a fitting tribute to an actor who could turn any small role into a memorable performance.
Donald Meek's impact on Hollywood is undeniable. His ability to breathe life into every character, no matter how small the part, made him a beloved figure in the industry and an icon of character acting. His journey from the battlefields to Broadway and eventually to the heart of Hollywood is a story of resilience, talent, and an undying passion for the performing arts.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1947 | Magic Town | Mr. Twiddle |
| 1947 | The Fabulous Joe | Henry Cadwallader, Lawyer |
| 1946 | Affairs of Geraldine | Casper Millhouse |
| 1946 | Janie Gets Married | Harley P. Stowers |
| 1946 | Colonel Effingham's Raid | Doc Buden |
| 1946 | Because of Him | Martin |
| 1945 | State Fair | Hippenstahl |
| 1944 | The Thin Man Goes Home | Willie Crump |
| 1944 | Barbary Coast Gent | Bradford Bellamy I |
| 1944 | Maisie Goes to Reno | Parsons |
| 1944 | Bathing Beauty | Chester Klazenfrantz |
| 1944 | Two Girls and a Sailor | Mr. Nizby |
| 1944 | Rationing | Wilfred Ball |
| 1943 | Lost Angel | Professor Catty |
| 1943 | Du Barry Was a Lady | Mr. Jones | Duc de Choiseul |
| 1943 | Air Raid Wardens | Eustace Middling |
| 1943 | They Got Me Covered | Little Old Man |
| 1942 | Keeper of the Flame | Mr. Arbuthnot |
| 1942 | Seven Sweethearts | Rev. Howgan - the Minister |
| 1942 | The Omaha Trail | Engineer Jonah McCleod |
| 1942 | Maisie Gets Her Man | Mr. Stickwell |
| 1942 | Tortilla Flat | Paul D. Cummings |
| 1941 | Babes on Broadway | Mr. Stone |
| 1941 | Rise and Shine | Professor Philip Murray |
| 1941 | The Feminine Touch | Captain Makepeace Liveright |
| 1941 | A Woman's Face | Herman Rundvik |
| 1941 | Barnacle Bill | 'Pop' Cavendish |
| 1941 | Free and Easy | Tout (uncredited) |
| 1941 | Blonde Inspiration | 'Dusty' King |
| 1941 | Come Live with Me | Joe Darsie |
| 1941 | The Wild Man of Borneo | Professor Birdo |
| 1940 | Hullabaloo | Mr. Clyde Perkins |
| 1940 | Third Finger, Left Hand | Mr. Flandrin |
| 1940 | Sky Murder | Bartholomew |
| 1940 | The Return of Frank James | Mc Coy |
| 1940 | Phantom Raiders | Bartholomew |
| 1940 | Turnabout | Henry |
| 1940 | Star Dust | Sam Wellman |
| 1940 | The Ghost Comes Home | Mortimer Hopkins, Sr. |
| 1940 | The Man from Dakota | Mr. Vestry |
| 1940 | My Little Chickadee | Amos Budge |
| 1940 | Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet | Mittelmeyer |
| 1940 | Oh, Johnny, How You Can Love! | Adelbert Thistlebottom |
| 1939 | Nick Carter, Master Detective | Bartholomew |
| 1939 | The Housekeeper's Daughter | Editor Wilson |
| 1939 | Hollywood Cavalcade | Lyle P. Stout |
| 1939 | Blondie Takes a Vacation | Jonathan N. Gillis |
| 1939 | Young Mr. Lincoln | Prosecutor John Felder |
| 1939 | *Stagecoach* | Samuel Peacock |
| 1939 | Jesse James | Mc Coy |
| 1938 | Hold That Co-ed | Dean Fletcher |
| 1938 | *You Can't Take It with You* | Poppins |
| 1938 | Little Miss Broadway | Willoughby Wendling |
| 1938 | Having Wonderful Time | P.U. Rogers |
| 1938 | Goodbye Broadway | Iradius P. Oglethorpe |
| 1938 | The Adventures of Tom Sawyer | Mr. Walters- Sunday School Superintendent |
| 1938 | Double Danger | Gordon Ainsley aka Henry Robinson |
| 1937 | You're a Sweetheart | Conway Jeeters |
| 1937 | Breakfast for Two | Justice of the Peace |
| 1937 | Double Wedding | Judge Blynn (uncredited) |
| 1937 | Make a Wish | Joseph |
| 1937 | Artist and Models | Dr. Zimmer |
| 1937 | The Toast of New York | Daniel Drew |
| 1937 | Three Legionnaires | Uriah S. Grant |
| 1937 | Parnell | Murphy |
| 1937 | Behind the Headlines | Potter |
| 1937 | Maid of Salem | Ezra Cheeves |
| 1936 | Pennies from Heaven | Gramp Smith |
| 1936 | Love on the Run | Caretaker |
| 1936 | Two in a Crowd | Bennett |
| 1936 | Old Hutch | Mr. Gunnison |
| 1936 | Three Married Men | Mr. Frisbee |
| 1936 | The 3 Wise Guys | Gribbie |
| 1936 | One Rainy Afternoon | Judge |
| 1936 | And So They Were Married | Hotel Manager |
| 1936 | Everybody's Old Man | Finney |
| 1935 | The Bride Comes Home | The Judge |
| 1935 | Captain Blood | Dr. Whacker |
| 1935 | Kind Lady | Mr. Foster |
| 1935 | Peter Ibbetson | Mr. Slade |
| 1935 | Barbary Coast | Sawbuck McTavish |
| 1935 | She Couldn't Take It | Uncle Wyndersham |
| 1935 | The Return of Peter Grimm | Mayor Everett Bartholomew |
| 1935 | Happiness C.O.D. | Thomas Sherridan |
| 1935 | Accent on Youth | Orville (uncredited) |
| 1935 | China Seas | Passenger Playing Chess (uncredited) |
| 1935 | Old Man Rhythm | Paul Parker |
| 1935 | Village Tale | Charlie |
| 1935 | The Informer | Peter Mulligan |
| 1935 | Mark of the Vampire | Dr. Doskil |
| 1935 | Baby Face Harrington | Skinner |
| 1935 | The Whole Town's Talking | Hoyt |
| 1935 | Society Doctor | Moxley |
| 1935 | The Gilded Lily | Hankerson |
| 1935 | Biography of a Bachelor Girl | Mr. Irish, Moose Village General Store |
| 1934 | The Mighty Barnum | Undetermined Role (scenes deleted) |
| 1934 | Romance in Manhattan | The Minister |
| 1934 | It's a Gift | Uncle Bean in Photograph (uncredited) |
| 1934 | The Captain Hates the Sea | Josephus Bushmills |
| 1934 | What Every Woman Knows | Snibby - Jeweler (uncredited) |
| 1934 | Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch | Mr. Wiggs |
| 1934 | The Merry Widow | Valet |
| 1934 | The Defense Rests | Fogg |
| 1934 | Murder at the Vanities | Dr. Saunders |
| 1934 | The Last Gentleman | Judd Barr |
| 1934 | Bedside | Dr. George Wiley |
| 1934 | Hi, Nellie | Durkin |
| 1933 | College Coach | Prof. Spencer Trask |
| 1933 | Ever in My Heart | Storekeeper (scenes deleted) |
| 1933 | Love, Honor and Oh, Baby! | Luther Bowen |
| 1932 | The Trans-Atlantic Mystery (Short) | Dr. Crabtree - Criminologist |
| 1932 | The Crane Poison Case (Short) | Dr. Crabtree |
| 1932 | The Side Show Mystery (Short) | Dr. Crabtree |
| 1932 | Murder in the Pullman (Short) | Dr. Crabtree - Criminologist |
| 1932 | The Cole Case (Short) | Dr. Crabtree |
| 1932 | The Babbling Book (Short) | Father (uncredited) |
| 1932 | The Skull Murder Mystery (Short) | Dr. Crabtree |
| 1932 | Wayward | Hotel Clerk (uncredited) |
| 1932 | The Studio Murder Mystery (Short) | Dr. Crabtree |
| 1932 | The Symphony Murder Mystery (Short) | Dr. Crabtree |
| 1931 | The Week End Mystery (Short) | Doctor Crabtree |
| 1931 | The Wall Street Mystery (Short) | Doctor Crabtree |
| 1931 | The Clyde Mystery (Short) | Dr. Amos Crabtree |
| 1931 | Personal Maid | Pa Ryan |
| 1931 | The Girl Habit | Jonesy |
| 1930 | The Love Kiss | William |
| 1929 | The Hole in the Wall | Goofy |
| 1923 | Six Cylinder Love | Richard Burton |
General:
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