Oliver Burgess Meredith

Military
media-44529.jpeg UPL 44529 Publicity headshot of Burgess Meredith c 1954

Public domain image via Wikimedia Commons

Object Number - UPL 44529 - Publicity headshot of Burgess Meredith c 1954

Burgess Meredith was a Hollywood actor, best known before the Second World War for his acclaimed performance in 'Of Mice and Men' (1939).



He enlisted in February 1942, joining the US Army Air Forces, where he achieved the rank of Captain. Meredith was then transferred to the Office of War Information where he was tasked with making training films for GIs, including 'Rear Gunner' (1943) and 'A Welcome to Britain' (1943).



Meredith was discharged in 1945 to work on the film, 'The Story of GI Joe' (1945), where he played the war correspondent Ernie Pyle. He continued to act for the rest of his life, notably starring as Batman's enemy, The Penguin, in the 1960s TV Series, and as the boxing trainer Mickey Goldmill in the 'Rocky' film series. Meredith has been hailed as one of the most accomplished actors of the twentieth century.

 

Connections

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People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: Headquarters Squadron (VIII Bomber Command) Headquarters (Eighth Air Force) United States Army Forces in the British Isles
  • Service Numbers: O-7478
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant General
  • Role/Job: Commanding General, 8th Air Force
Comedian Bob Hope in the cockpit of a B-17 Flying Fortress, during a visit to the 94th Bomb Group.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Civilian
  • Nationality: American

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Cleveland, Ohio 16 November 1907

Enlisted

Fort Macarthur San Pedro, California 27 February 1942

Died

Malibu, California 9 September 1997

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Corrected a typo in the "Summary biography" - “notably” was misspelled.

 

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

IWM, COI 938, A Welcome to Britain

A Welcome to Britain IWM Film favourites

Enlistment record

Wikipedia

Oliver Burgess Meredith: Gallery (1 items)