Thomas Donald Meek (14 July 1878 – 18 November 1946) was a Scottish-American actor. He first performed publicly at the age of eight and began appearing on Broadway in 1903. Meek is perhaps best known for his roles in the films '' You Can't Take It with You'' (1938) and ''

Stagecoach A stagecoach is a four-wheeled public transport coach used to carry paying passengers and light packages on journeys long enough to need a change of horses. It is strongly sprung and generally drawn by four horses although some versions are dra ...

'' (1939). He posthumously received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.

Early years

Meek was born in Glasgow to Matthew and Annie Meek. In the 1890s, the Meek family emigrated to Canada and then to the United States. By 1900, they were living in Philadelphia where Meek was employed as a dry goods salesman, according to the United States census of that year with Meek later working on stage.

Career

Meek's Broadway credits include ''Take My Tip'' (1932), ''After Tomorrow'' (1931), ''Oh, Promise Me'' (1930), ''Broken Dishes'' (1929), in which he starred with a young

Bette Davis Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis (; April 5, 1908 – October 6, 1989) was an American actress with a career spanning more than 50 years and 100 acting credits. She was noted for playing unsympathetic, sardonic characters, and was famous for her p ...

, ''Jonesy'' (1929), ''Mr. Moneypenny'' (1928), ''The Ivory Door'' (1927), ''My Princess'' (1927), ''Spread Eagle'' (1927), ''The Shelf'' (1926), ''Love 'em and Leave 'em'' (1926), ''Fool's Bells'' (1925), ''Easy Terms'' (1925), ''The Potters'' (1923), ''Tweedles'' (1923), ''Six-Cylinder Love'' (1921), ''Little Old New York'' (1920), ''The Hottentot'' (1920), ''Nothing But Love'' (1919), ''Going Up'' (1917), and ''The Minister's Daughters'' (1903). After years on the stage, Meek became a film actor, appearing memorably in several movies including '' The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,'' '' Little Miss Broadway'', and '' State Fair.'' Before becoming an actor, he fought in the

Spanish–American War , partof = the Philippine Revolution, the decolonization of the Americas, and the Cuban War of Independence , image = Collage infobox for Spanish-American War.jpg , image_size = 300px , caption = (clock ...

in the United States Army and contracted

yellow fever Yellow fever is a viral disease of typically short duration. In most cases, symptoms include fever, chills, loss of appetite, nausea, muscle pains – particularly in the back – and headaches. Symptoms typically improve within five days. ...

which caused him to lose his hair. He was cast as timid, worried characters in many of his films, and is perhaps best known for his roles as Mr. Poppins in

Frank Capra Frank Russell Capra (born Francesco Rosario Capra; May 18, 1897 – September 3, 1991) was an Italian-born American film director, producer and writer who became the creative force behind some of the major award-winning films of the 1930s ...

's '' You Can't Take It With You'' and as whiskey salesman Samuel Peacock in

John Ford John Martin Feeney (February 1, 1894 – August 31, 1973), known professionally as John Ford, was an American film director and naval officer. He is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential filmmakers of his generation. He ...

's ''

''. From 1931 through 1932, Meek was featured as criminologist Dr. Crabtree in a series of 12 Warner Brothers two-reel short subjects written by

S.S. Van Dine S. S. Van Dine (also styled S.S. Van Dine) is the pseudonym used by American art critic Willard Huntington Wright (October 15, 1888 – April 11, 1939) when he wrote detective novels. Wright was active in avant-garde cultural circles in pre- Wo ...

Personal life

Meek and Isabella "Belle" Walken married in Boston in a Methodist church on January 3, 1909. By this marriage, the American-born Belle Meek lost her United States citizenship by taking her husband's British nationality.

Death

Donald Meek died of

leukaemia Leukemia ( also spelled leukaemia and pronounced ) is a group of blood cancers that usually begin in the bone marrow and result in high numbers of abnormal blood cells. These blood cells are not fully developed and are called ''blasts'' or ...

on 18 November 1946 in Los Angeles, while filming the role of Mr. Twiddle in '' Magic Town''. A prolific film actor in over 100 Hollywood movies during its Golden Age, he received a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was entombed in the Fairmount Mausoleum at Fairmount Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.

Selected filmography

*'' Six Cylinder Love'' (1923) as Richard Burton *'' The Hole in the Wall'' (1929) as Goofy *''The Love Kiss'' (1930) as William *'' The Girl Habit'' (1931) as Jonesy *'' Personal Maid'' (1931) as Pa Ryan *'' Wayward'' (1932) as Hotel Clerk (uncredited) *'' Love, Honor, and Oh Baby!'' (1933) as Luther Bowen *'' Ever in My Heart'' (1933) as Storekeeper (scenes deleted) *'' College Coach'' (1933) as Prof. Spencer Trask *'' Hi Nellie!'' (1934) as Durkin *''

Bedside ''Bedside'' is a 1934 American pre-Code drama film starring Warren William, Jean Muir and Allen Jenkins. Plot A man passes himself off as a doctor. Cast * Warren William as Bob Brown * Jean Muir as Caroline Grant * Allen Jenkins as Sam Sparks * ...

'' (1934) as Dr. George Wiley *'' The Last Gentleman'' (1934) as Judd Barr *'' Murder at the Vanities'' (1934) as Dr. Saunders *''

The Defense Rests ''The Defense Rests'' (or ''Take the Witness'') is a 1934 American film directed by Lambert Hillyer and starring Jack Holt, Jean Arthur, and Nat Pendleton. The movie was produced in May 1934 and released on 15 July 1934. Cast * Jack Holt as M ...

'' (1934) as Fogg *'' The Merry Widow'' (1934) as Valet *''

Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch ''Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch'' is a 1901 novel by American author Alice Hegan Rice, about a southern family humorously coping with poverty. It was highly popular on its release,Lowell Hayes Harrison, ''A New History of Kentucky'' (1997), p. ...

'' (1934) as Mr. Wiggs *'' What Every Woman Knows'' (1934) as Snibby - Jeweler (uncredited) *'' The Captain Hates the Sea'' (1934) as Josephus Bushmills *'' It's a Gift'' (1934) as Uncle Bean in Photograph (uncredited) *'' The Mighty Barnum'' (1934) as Minor Role (scenes deleted) *''

Biography of a Bachelor Girl ''Biography of a Bachelor Girl'' is a 1935 American comedy film directed by Edward H. Griffith and written by Horace Jackson and Anita Loos. It is based upon the play, "Biography," by S. N. Behrman. The film stars Ann Harding, Robert Montgom ...

'' (1935) as Mr. Irish, Moose Village General Store *'' Romance in Manhattan'' (1935) as Minister *'' The Gilded Lily'' (1935) as Hankerson *''

Society Doctor ''Society Doctor'' is a 1935 American drama film directed by George B. Seitz and starring Robert Taylor, Chester Morris, and Virginia Bruce. It was produced and distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was inspired by an unproduced play by Theodo ...

'' (1935) as Moxley *'' The Whole Town's Talking'' (1935) as Hoyt *'' Baby Face Harrington'' (1935) as Skinner *'' Mark of the Vampire'' (1935) as Dr. Doskil *'' The Informer'' (1935) as Peter Mulligan *'' Village Tale'' (1935) as Charlie *''

Old Man Rhythm ''Old Man Rhythm'' is a 1935 American musical film directed by Edward Ludwig from a screenplay by Sig Herzig and Ernest Pagano, based on a story by Herzig, Lewis Gensler, and Don Hartman. The musical director was Roy Webb, with music composed ...

'' (1935) as Paul Parker *'' China Seas'' (1935) as Passenger Playing Chess (uncredited) *'' Accent on Youth'' (1935) as Orville (uncredited) *'' Happiness C.O.D.'' (1935) as Thomas Sherridan *'' The Return of Peter Grimm'' (1935) as Mayor Everett Bartholomew *'' She Couldn't Take It'' (1935) as Uncle Wyndersham *'' Barbary Coast'' (1935) as Sawbuck McTavish *'' Peter Ibbetson'' (1935) as Mr. Slade *'' Kind Lady'' (1935) as Mr. Foster *'' Captain Blood'' (1935) as Dr. Whacker *'' The Bride Comes Home'' (1935) as The Judge *''

Everybody's Old Man ''Everybody's Old Man'' is a 1936 American drama film directed by James Flood and written by Patterson McNutt and A.E. Thomas. The film stars Irvin S. Cobb, Rochelle Hudson, Johnny Downs, Norman Foster, Alan Dinehart, Sara Haden, Donald Meek an ...

'' (1936) as Finney *''

And So They Were Married or AND may refer to: Logic, grammar, and computing * Conjunction (grammar), connecting two words, phrases, or clauses * Logical conjunction in mathematical logic, notated as "∧", "⋅", "&", or simple juxtaposition * Bitwise AND, a boolea ...

'' (1936) as Hotel Manager *'' One Rainy Afternoon'' (1936) as Judge *'' Three Wise Guys'' (1936) as Gribbie *''

Three Married Men ''Three Married Men'' is a 1936 American comedy film directed by Edward Buzzell, written by Alan Campbell and Dorothy Parker, and starring Lynne Overman, William Frawley, Roscoe Karns, Mary Brian, George Barbier and Marjorie Gateson. It was r ...

'' (1936) as Mr. Frisbee *''

Old Hutch ''Old Hutch'' is a 1936 American romantic comedy film directed by J. Walter Ruben and starring Wallace Beery as a man who finds $100,000 in the depths of the Depression. It is a remake of the 1920 Will Rogers film '' Honest Hutch.'' Cast *Walla ...

'' (1936) as Mr. Gunnison *'' Two in a Crowd'' (1936) as Bennett *'' Love on the Run'' (1936) as Caretaker *'' Pennies from Heaven'' (1936) as Gramp Smith *''

Maid of Salem ''Maid of Salem'' is a 1937 film made by Paramount Pictures, directed by Frank Lloyd, and starring Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray. Plot It tells the story of a young girl in Salem, Massachusetts, 1692, who has an affair with an adventurer. ...

'' (1937) as Ezra Cheeves *'' Behind the Headlines'' (1937) as Potter *'' Parnell'' (1937) as Murphy *''Three Legionnaires'' (1937) as Uriah S. Grant *'' The Toast of New York'' (1937) as Daniel Drew *'' Artists and Models'' (1937) as Dr. Zimmer *'' Make a Wish'' (1937) as Joseph *''

Double Wedding A wedding is a ceremony where two people are united in marriage. Wedding traditions and customs vary greatly between cultures, ethnic groups, religions, countries, and social classes. Most wedding ceremonies involve an exchange of marriage vo ...

'' (1937) as Judge Blynn (uncredited) *'' Breakfast for Two'' (1937) as Justice of the Peace *''

You're a Sweetheart ''You're a Sweetheart'' is a 1937 American musical film directed by David Butler and starring Alice Faye, George Murphy and Ken Murray. The film was produced and distributed by Universal Pictures who loaned Alice Faye from 20th Century Fox to he ...

'' (1937) as Conway Jeeters *'' Double Danger'' (1938) as Gordon Ainsley aka Henry Robinson *'' The Adventures of Tom Sawyer'' (1938) as Sunday School Superintendent *''

Goodbye Broadway ''Goodbye Broadway'' is a 1938 American film. The movie is based on the play ''The Shannons of Broadway'' written by actor (and ex-vaudevillian) James Gleason. A previous film had been made of the play entitled ''The Shannons of Broadway''. Pl ...

'' (1938) as Iradius P. Oglethorpe *'' Having Wonderful Time'' (1938) as P.U. Rogers *'' Little Miss Broadway'' (1938) as Willoughby Wendling *'' You Can't Take It with You'' (1938) as Poppins *''

Hold That Co-ed ''Hold That Co-ed'' is a 1938 comedy film directed by George Marshall, starring John Barrymore, George Murphy and Marjorie Weaver. Plot summary Former star quarterback Rusty Stevens believes he is being hired to be prosperous Clayton University ...

'' (1938) as Dean Fletcher *'' Jesse James'' (1939) as Mc Coy *''

'' (1939) as Samuel Peacock *'' Young Mr. Lincoln'' (1939) as Prosecutor John Felder *''

Blondie Takes a Vacation ''Blondie Takes a Vacation'' is a 1939 American black-and-white comedy film directed by Frank R. Strayer and starring Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake, and Larry Simms. The film is based on Chic Young's comic strip of the same name. This was the ...

'' (1939) as Jonathan N. Gillis *'' Hollywood Cavalcade'' (1939) as Lyle P. Stout *'' The Housekeeper's Daughter'' (1939) as Editor Wilson *''

Nick Carter, Master Detective ''Nick Carter, Master Detective'' was a Mutual radio crime drama based on tales of the fictional private detective Nick Carter from Street & Smith's dime novels and pulp magazines. Nick Carter first came to radio as ''The Return of Nick Carte ...

'' (1939) as Bartholomew *''Oh, Johnny, How You Can Love'' (1940) as Adelbert Thistlebottom *''

Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet ''Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet'' is a 1940 American biographical film directed by William Dieterle and starring Edward G. Robinson, based on the true story of the German doctor and scientist Dr. Paul Ehrlich. The film was released by Warner Bros., w ...

'' (1940) as Mittelmeyer *'' My Little Chickadee'' (1940) as Amos Budge *''

The Man from Dakota ''The Man from Dakota'' is a 1940 American Civil War film directed by Leslie Fenton and starring Wallace Beery and Dolores del Río. The film was adapted by Laurence Stallings from the novel ''Arouse and Beware'' by MacKinlay Kantor. Francis ...

'' (1940) as Mr. Vestry *'' The Ghost Comes Home'' (1940) as Mortimer Hopkins, Sr. *'' Star Dust'' (1940) as Sam Wellman *'' Turnabout'' (1940) as Henry *''

Phantom Raiders ''Phantom Raiders'' is a 1940 film, the second in the series starring Walter Pidgeon as detective Nick Carter. The film was part of a movie trilogy based on original stories featuring the character from the long-running ''Nick Carter, Detective'' ...

'' (1940) as Bartholomew *'' The Return of Frank James'' (1940) as McCoy *''

Sky Murder ''Sky Murder'' is a 1940 detective film starring Walter Pidgeon as detective Nick Carter in his third and final outing for MGM as Nick Carter. The film was part of a trilogy based on original screen stories starring the popular literary series c ...

'' (1940) as Bartholomew *'' Third Finger, Left Hand'' (1940) as Mr. Flandrin *''

Hullabaloo Hubbabaloo or hullaballoo may refer to: * Hullabaloo (band), a punk band * Hullabaloo (song), a 1990 single by Absent Friends * Hullabaloo (festival), a music festival at the University of California San Diego * ''Hullabaloo'' (film), a 1940 fil ...

'' (1940) as Mr. Clyde Perkins *''

Design for Scandal ''Design for Scandal'' is a 1941 American romantic comedy film directed by Norman Taurog. Rosalind Russell stars as a judge targeted by a newspaper tycoon unhappy with her decision in his divorce case. Plot When wealthy newspaper publisher Jud ...

'' (1941) *'' The Wild Man of Borneo'' (1941) as Professor Birdo *'' Come Live with Me'' (1941) as Joe Darsie *'' Blonde Inspiration'' (1941) as 'Dusty' King *'' Free and Easy'' (1941) as Tout (uncredited) *'' Barnacle Bill'' (1941) as 'Pop' Cavendish *'' A Woman's Face'' (1941) as Herman Rundvik *'' The Feminine Touch'' (1941) as Captain Makepeace Liveright *'' Rise and Shine'' (1941) as Professor Philip Murray *''

Babes on Broadway ''Babes on Broadway'' is a 1941 American musical film starring Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland and directed by Busby Berkeley, with Vincente Minnelli directing Garland's big solo numbers. The film, which features Fay Bainter and Virginia Weidler, ...

'' (1941) as Mr. Stone *''

Tortilla Flat ''Tortilla Flat'' (1935) is an early John Steinbeck novel set in Monterey, California. The novel was the author's first clear critical and commercial success. The book portrays a group of 'paisanos'—literally, countrymen—a small band of er ...

'' (1942) as Paul D. Cummings *'' Maisie Gets Her Man'' (1942) as Mr. Stickwell *'' The Omaha Trail'' (1942) as Engineer Jonah McCleod *'' Seven Sweethearts'' (1942) as Reverend Howgan, the Minister *'' Keeper of the Flame'' (1943) as Mr. Arbuthnot *'' They Got Me Covered'' (1943) as Little Old Man *'' Air Raid Wardens'' (1943) as Eustace Middling *'' Du Barry Was a Lady'' (1943) as Mr. Jones / Duc de Choiseul *'' Lost Angel'' (1943) as Professor Catty *'' Rationing'' (1944) as Wilfred Ball *'' Two Girls and a Sailor'' (1944) as Mr. Nizby *'' Bathing Beauty'' (1944) as Chester Klazenfrantz *''

Maisie Goes to Reno ''Maisie Goes to Reno'' is the eighth film starring Ann Sothern as Maisie Ravier, preceded by '' Swing Shift Maisie'' and followed by ''Up Goes Maisie''. John Hodiak plays her love interest in this 1944 romantic comedy. Plot Overworked World W ...

'' (1944) as Parsons *'' Barbary Coast Gent'' (1944) as Bradford Bellamy I *'' The Thin Man Goes Home'' (1945) as Willie Crump *'' State Fair'' (1945) as Hippenstahl *''

Because of Him ''Because of Him'' is a 1946 American romantic comedy film directed by Richard Wallace and starring Deanna Durbin, Charles Laughton and Franchot Tone. Plot Kim Walker (Deanna Durbin) is an ambitious waitress who dreams of being on the stage. ...

'' (1946) as Martin *''

Colonel Effingham's Raid ''Colonel Effingham's Raid'' (UK title: ''Man of the Hour'') is a 1946 American comedy film directed by Irving Pichel. It is also known as ''Berry Fleming's Colonel Effingham's Raid'', ''Everything's Peaches Down in Georgia'' and ''Rebel Yell''. ...

'' (1946) as Doc Buden *'' Janie Gets Married'' (1946) as Harley P. Stowers *''

Affairs of Geraldine ''Affairs of Geraldine'' is a 1946 American comedy film directed by George Blair and written by John K. Butler. The film stars Jane Withers, Jimmy Lydon, Raymond Walburn, Donald Meek, Charles Quigley and Grant Withers. The film was released on ...

'' (1946) as Casper Millhouse *''The Hal Roach Comedy Carnival'' (1947) as Henry Cadwallader, in 'Fabulous Joe' *''

The Fabulous Joe ''The Fabulous Joe'' is a 1947 American comedy film in the Hal Roach's Streamliners series. It was directed by Harve Foster and written by Arnold Belgard and Jack Jevne. The film stars Walter Abel, Margot Grahame, Marie Wilson, Donald Meek, Sh ...

'' (1947) as Henry Cadwallader, Lawyer *'' Magic Town'' (1947) as Mr. Twiddle (final film role)

References

External links

* * *
Portraits of Donald Meek from ''Stagecoach''
by Ned Scott {{DEFAULTSORT:Meek, Donald 1878 births 1946 deaths Scottish male stage actors 20th-century Scottish male actors Scottish male film actors Deaths from leukemia Deaths from cancer in California Scottish emigrants to the United States