Iris Meredith (born Iris Shunn; June 3, 1915 – January 22, 1980) was a

B-movie A B movie or B film is a low-budget commercial motion picture. In its original usage, during the Golden Age of Hollywood, the term more precisely identified films intended for distribution as the less-publicized bottom half of a double featur ...

actress An actor or actress is a person who portrays a Character (arts), character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. The analogous Greek ...

of the 1930s and 1940s film era. She starred mostly in

heroine A hero (feminine: heroine) is a real person or a main fictional character who, in the face of danger, combats adversity through feats of ingenuity, courage, or strength. Like other formerly gender-specific terms (like ''actor''), ''hero' ...

roles, in

westerns The Western is a genre set in the American frontier and commonly associated with folk tales of the Western United States, particularly the Southwestern United States, as well as Northern Mexico and Western Canada. It is commonly referred ...

Early years

Meredith was born in

Sioux City, Iowa Sioux City () is a city in Woodbury and Plymouth counties in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 85,797 in the 2020 census, making it the fourth-largest city in Iowa. The bulk of the city is in Woodbury County, ...

, but grew up in

Eagle Rock, California Eagle Rock is a neighborhood of Northeast Los Angeles, abutting the San Rafael Hills in Los Angeles County, California. Eagle Rock is named after Eagle Rock, a large boulder whose shadow resembles an eagle.http://www.eaglerockcouncil.org/index.p ...

. She was active in journalism and dramatics at

Eagle Rock High School Eagle Rock High School (ERHS) is a public school located in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of northeast Los Angeles, California. History The school opened its doors on September 12, 1927. It was in the Los Angeles City High School District until ...

, from which she graduated. She worked as a cashier in a Los Angeles theater before she became an actress.

Career

Meredith began her film career in the early 1930s, often starring in film serials while on contract with

Columbia Pictures Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production studio that is a member of the Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group, a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment, which is one of the Big Five studios and a subsidiary of the mu ...

. Her best-known roles were in the 1938 serial '' The Spider's Web'', and in the 1939 serial ''

Overland with Kit Carson ''Overland with Kit Carson'' is a 1939 American Western serial film directed by Norman Deming and Sam Nelson and starring Bill Ellott, Iris Meredith, Richard Fiske and Bobby Clack. Plot When Pegleg and his Black Raiders threaten the westward ...

''. In 1940 she starred in the serial '' The Green Archer'', as well as in several westerns opposite

Charles Starrett Charles Robert Starrett (March 28, 1903 – March 22, 1986) was an American actor, best known for his starring role in the ''Durango Kid'' westerns. Starrett still holds the record for starring in the longest series of theatrical features: ...

Bill Elliott William Clyde Elliott (born October 8, 1955), also known as Awesome Bill from Dawsonville, Million Dollar Bill, or Wild Bill is an American former professional stock car racing driver. He competes full time in the Camping World Superstar Racing ...

, and Bob Allen. Most of her films were with Starrett, from 1936 through 1940, most notably ''Riders of the Black River'' and ''

Spoilers of the Range ''Spoilers of the Range'' is a 1939 American Western film directed by Charles C. Coleman and starring Charles Starrett. Plot Hero Jeff Strong (Starrett) comes to the rescue of a group of victimized ranchers. The villains are a gang of crooked ...

''. Her career slowed mid-way through the 1940s. In 1941 she starred in ''

The Son of Davy Crockett ''The Son of Davy Crockett'' is a 1941 American Western film written and directed by Lambert Hillyer. The film stars Wild Bill Elliott, Iris Meredith, Dub Taylor, Kenneth MacDonald, Richard Fiske and Eddy Waller. The film was released on July ...

'' with Bill Elliott, and ''Caught in the Act'' opposite

Henry Armetta Henry Armetta (born Enrico Armetta; July 4, 1888 – October 21, 1945) was an American character actor who appeared in at least 150 American films, beginning in silent movies. His last film was released posthumously in 1946, the year after his d ...

. In 1942 she starred alongside Dave O'Brien in ''The Texas Rangers Take Over''. Her last credited role was the 1943 film ''

The Kid Rides Again ''The Kid Rides Again'' is a 1943 American western directed by Sam Newfield. The film was one of the Billy the Kid (film series), Billy the Kid (film series by Producers Releasing Corporation. It was Iris Meredith's last credited feature film ...

'', in which she starred opposite

Buster Crabbe Clarence Linden Crabbe II (; February 7, 1908 – April 23, 1983), known professionally as Buster Crabbe, was an American two-time Olympic swimmer and film and television actor. He won the 1932 Olympic gold medal for 400-meter freestyle swimmi ...

. She had one uncredited role afterward, in the 1951 film ''

Chain of Circumstance ''Chain of Circumstance'' is a 1951 American drama film directed by Will Jason and written by David Lang. The film stars Richard Grayson, Margaret Field, Marta Mitrovich, Harold J. Kennedy, Helen Wallace and Connie Gilchrist. The film was release ...

''. In total, Meredith starred in over 50 films, 32 of which were westerns.

Personal life and death

Meredith married television director

Abby Berlin Abby Berlin (August 7, 1907 — August 16, 1965) was best known as a director of feature films and television productions. He began on Broadway and Vaudeville as part of a comedy team with Ken Brown in the 1920s. By 1939, he had moved to Hollywoo ...

, and retired from acting shortly thereafter. In later life, she was diagnosed with

cancer Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Possible signs and symptoms include a lump, abnormal b ...

, which claimed her life on January 22, 1980 in

Los Angeles, California Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

. She was 64 years old. She is interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in

Glendale, California Glendale is a city in the San Fernando Valley and Verdugo Mountains regions of Los Angeles County, California, Los Angeles County, California, United States. At the 2020 United States Census, 2020 U.S. Census the population was 196,543, up from ...

Partial filmography

* ''

Hat Check Girl ''Hat Check Girl'' is a 1932 American pre-Code comedy film directed by Sidney Lanfield and written by Barry Conners and Philip Klein. The film stars Sally Eilers, Ben Lyon, Ginger Rogers and Monroe Owsley. The film was released on October 8, 19 ...

'' (1932) - Sales Lady (uncredited) * ''

Roman Scandals ''Roman Scandals'' is a 1933 American black-and-white pre-Code musical film starring Eddie Cantor, Ruth Etting, Gloria Stuart, Edward Arnold and David Manners. It was directed by Frank Tuttle. The film features a number of intricate production ...

'' (1933) - Shantytown Resident / Goldwyn Girl (uncredited) * ''

Lottery Lover ''Lottery Lover'' is a 1935 American comedy film directed by Wilhelm Thiele and written by Franz Schulz and Billy Wilder. The film stars Lew Ayres, Pat Paterson, Peggy Fears, Sterling Holloway, Walter Woolf King and Alan Dinehart. The film was r ...

'' (1935) - Manicurist (uncredited) * ''

George White's 1935 Scandals ''George White's 1935 Scandals'' is an American musical film, written by Jack Yellen and produced in 1935 by Fox Film Corporation. It was a follow-up to (but not a sequel to) the 1934 release, ''George White's Scandals''. Plot The film centers ...

'' (1935) - Miss Smith - Secretary (uncredited) * ''

Tumbling Tumbleweeds "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" is a song composed by Bob Nolan. Although one of the most famous songs associated with the Sons of the Pioneers, the song was composed by Nolan in the 1930s, while working as a caddy and living in Los Angeles. Originally ti ...

'' (1935) - Girl (uncredited) * '' Ticket to Paradise'' (1936) - Girl (uncredited) * ''

Bulldog Edition ''Bulldog Edition'' is a 1936 American film directed by Charles Lamont. The film is also known as ''Lady Reporter'' in the United Kingdom. Plot Newspaper editors Ken Dwyer (Ray Walker) and Evans (Robert Warwick) compete for circulation, and th ...

'' (1936) - Camille Club Hatcheck Girl (uncredited) * '' The Cowboy Star'' (1936) - Mary Baker * ''

Rio Grande Ranger ''Rio Grande Ranger'' is a 1936 American Western film directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet and starring Robert Allen, Iris Meredith and Paul Sutton.Pitts, Michael R. ''Western Movies: A Guide to 5,105 Feature Films''. McFarland, 2012. p. 285. Par ...

'' (1936) - Sandra Cullen * ''

The Gambling Terror ''The Gambling Terror'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield and starring Johnny Mack Brown, Iris Meredith and Charles King.Pitts p.121 Plot A town is effectively terrorised by a protection racket with no one knowing who th ...

'' (1937) - Betty Garret * ''

Trail of Vengeance ''Trail of Vengeance'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield, written by Fred Myton and George H. Plympton, and starring Johnny Mack Brown, Iris Meredith, Warner Richmond, Karl Hackett, Earle Hodgins and Frank LaRue. It was r ...

'' (1937) - Jean Warner * ''

A Lawman Is Born ''A Lawman Is Born'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield. Plot summary Tom Mitchell is a wanted man that becomes the Sheriff after the previous Sheriff is killed, however Brownlee arrives and reveals Tom's identity. Cast ...

'' (1937) - Beth Graham * ''

The Mystery of the Hooded Horsemen ''The Mystery of the Hooded Horsemen'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by Ray Taylor. It was singing cowboy Tex Ritter's eighth film for Grand National Pictures. While the film had an original copyright notice, its copyright was not re ...

'' (1937) - Nancy Wilson * ''

Outlaws of the Prairie ''Outlaws of the Prairie'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by Sam Nelson, starring Charles Starrett, Donald Grayson, and Iris Meredith. Cast * Charles Starrett as Dart Collins * Donald Grayson as Slim Grayson * Iris Meredith as Judy G ...

'' (1937) - Judy Garfield * ''

All American Sweetheart ''All American Sweetheart'' is a 1937 American crime film directed by Lambert Hillyer and written by Grace Neville, Fred Niblo Jr. and Michael L. Simmons. The film stars Patricia Farr, Scott Kolk, Gene Morgan, James Eagles, Arthur Loft and Jo ...

'' (1937) - Alice (uncredited) * ''

Murder Is News ''Murder Is News'' is a 1937 Canadian-American mystery film directed by Leon Barsha. Plot summary A rich businessman is murdered at his townhouse the night his wife plans to divorce him and marry a high-powered lawyer. One of four Quota Quick ...

'' (1937) - Ann Leslie * ''

Little Miss Roughneck ''Little Miss Roughneck'' is a 1938 American drama. Plot summary Budding child vaudeville performer Foxine LaRue (Edith Fellows) and her mother Gertrude LaRue (Margaret Irving) will do anything to get Foxine into show business. Together, they s ...

'' (1938) - Girl (uncredited) * ''

Cattle Raiders ''Cattle Raiders'' is a 1938 American Western film directed by Sam Nelson and written by Joseph F. Poland and Ed Earl Repp. The film stars Charles Starrett, Donald Grayson, Iris Meredith, Dick Curtis, Joseph Allen and Edward LeSaint. The film ...

'' (1938) - Nancy Grayson * '' Call of the Rockies'' (1938) - Ann Bradford * ''

Law of the Plains ''Law of the Plains'' is a 1938 American Western film directed by Sam Nelson, starring Charles Starrett, and Iris Meredith. Cast * Charles Starrett as Chuck Saunders * Iris Meredith as Marion * Bob Nolan as Bob * Robert Warwick as Willard McG ...

'' (1938) - Marion McGowan / Norton * '' West of Cheyenne'' (1938) - Jean Wayne * ''

South of Arizona ''South of Arizona'' is a 1938 American Western film directed by Sam Nelson and starring Charles Starrett, Iris Meredith and Bob Nolan.Pitts p.327 Cast * Charles Starrett as Clay Travers * Iris Meredith as Ann Madison * Bob Nolan as Bob - Tra ...

'' (1938) - Ann Madison * '' I Am the Law'' (1938) - Eddie's Girlfriend (uncredited) * '' The Colorado Trail'' (1938) - Joan Randall * ''

West of the Santa Fe ''West of the Santa Fe'' is a 1938 American Western film directed by Sam Nelson and written by Bennett Cohen. The film stars Charles Starrett, Iris Meredith, Dick Curtis, Robert Fiske, LeRoy Mason and Bob Nolan. The film was released on Octobe ...

'' (1938) - Madge Conway * '' The Spider's Web'' (1938, Serial) - Nita Van Sloan * ''

The Thundering West ''The Thundering West'', also known as ''Trail of the Tumbleweed'', is a 1939 American Western film directed by Sam Nelson, starring Charles Starrett, and Iris Meredith. Cast * Charles Starrett as Jim Dale * Iris Meredith as Helen Patterson * ...

'' (1939) - Helen Patterson * ''

Texas Stampede ''Texas Stampede'' is a 1939 American western film directed by Sam Nelson and starring Charles Starrett, Iris Meredith and Bob Nolan. It is a remake of the 1930 film '' The Dawn Trail''Pitts p.79 Cast * Charles Starrett as Tom Randall * Iris Mere ...

'' (1939) - Joan Cameron * ''

First Offenders ''First Offenders'' is a 1939 American crime film starring Walter Abel, Beverly Roberts and Iris Meredith Iris Meredith (born Iris Shunn; June 3, 1915 – January 22, 1980) was a B-movie actress of the 1930s and 1940s film era. She starr ...

'' (1939) - Mary Kent * ''

'' (1939) - Madge Patterson * ''

Western Caravans ''Western Caravans'' is a 1939 American Western film directed by Sam Nelson and written by Bennett Cohen. The film stars Charles Starrett, Iris Meredith, Dick Curtis, Russell Simpson, Wally Wales and Hank Bell. The film was released on June 15 ...

'' (1939) - Joyce Thompson * ''

The Man from Sundown ''The Man from Sundown'' is a 1939 American Western film directed by Sam Nelson and written by Paul Franklin. The film stars Charles Starrett, Iris Meredith, Richard Fiske, Jack Rockwell, Alan Bridge and Dick Botiller. The film was released on ...

'' (1939) - Barbara Kellogg * ''

'' (1939, Serial) - Carmelita Gonzalez * ''

Riders of Black River ''Riders of Black River'' is a 1939 American Western film directed by Norman Deming and written by Bennett Cohen. The film stars Charles Starrett, Iris Meredith, Dick Curtis, Stanley Brown, Bob Nolan and Francis Sayles. The film was released on ...

'' (1939) - Linda Holden * ''

Outpost of the Mounties ''Outpost of the Mounties'' is a 1939 American Western film directed by Charles C. Coleman and starring Charles Starrett. Plot In this adventure, a courageous Canadian Mountie must bring peace to an embattled miner and an unscrupulous trader ...

'' (1939) - Norma Daniels * ''

Those High Grey Walls ''Those High Grey Walls'' is a 1939 American crime film directed by Charles Vidor and starring Walter Connolly and Onslow Stevens. It is also known as ''The Gates of Alcatraz''. Plot Dr. MacAuley, a kindly beloved country doctor, is sent to Fil ...

'' (1939) - Mary MacAuley * '' The Taming of the West'' (1939) - Pepper Jenkins * ''

Beware Spooks! ''Beware Spooks!'' is a 1939 American comedy film directed by Edward Sedgwick and starring Joe E. Brown, Mary Carlisle and Clarence Kolb.Gehring p.100 Synopsis Rookie cop Roy L. Gifford is kicked off the force after he accidentally assists a bank ...

'' (1939) - Babe, Spook House Ticket Seller (uncredited) * ''

Two-Fisted Rangers ''Two-Fisted Rangers'' is a 1939 American Western film directed by Joseph H. Lewis and written by Fred Myton. The film stars Charles Starrett, Iris Meredith, Bob Nolan, Kenneth MacDonald, Dick Curtis and Wally Wales. The film was released on D ...

'' (1939) - Betty Webster * ''

Convicted Woman ''Convicted Woman'' is a 1940 crime film starring Rochelle Hudson and directed by Nick Grinde Nick Grinde (January 12, 1893 – June 19, 1979) was an American film director and screenwriter. He directed 57 films between 1928 and 1945. Bi ...

'' (1940) - Nita Lavore * ''

Blazing Six Shooters ''Blazing Six Shooters'' is a 1940 American Western film directed by Joseph H. Lewis and written by Paul Franklin. The film stars Charles Starrett, Iris Meredith, Dick Curtis, Alan Bridge, George Cleveland and Henry Hall. The film was released ...

'' (1940) - Janet Kenyon * '' The Man from Tumbleweeds'' (1940) - 'Spunky' Cameron * ''

Texas Stagecoach ''Texas Stagecoach'' is a 1940 American Western film directed by Joseph H. Lewis and written by Fred Myton. The film stars Charles Starrett, Iris Meredith, Bob Nolan, Dick Curtis, Kenneth MacDonald and Pat Brady. The film was released on May ...

'' (1940) - Jean Harper * '' The Return of Wild Bill'' (1940) - Sammy Lou Griffin * '' The Green Archer'' (1940, Serial) - Valerie Howett * ''

Thundering Frontier ''Thundering Frontier'' is a 1940 American Western film directed by D. Ross Lederman and starring Charles Starrett. Cast * Charles Starrett as Jim Filmore * Iris Meredith as Norma Belknap * Ray Bennett as Ed Filmore (as Raphael Bennett) * Ale ...

'' (1940) - Norma Belknap * ''Caught in the Act'' (1941) - Lucy Ripportella * ''

'' (1941) - Doris Mathews * ''

Louisiana Purchase The Louisiana Purchase (french: Vente de la Louisiane, translation=Sale of Louisiana) was the acquisition of the territory of Louisiana by the United States from the French First Republic in 1803. In return for fifteen million dollars, or app ...

'' (1941) - Lawyer's secretary * ''

The Rangers Take Over ''The Rangers Take Over'' is a 1942 American Western film directed by Albert Herman and written by Elmer Clifton. The film stars Dave O'Brien, James Newill, Guy Wilkerson, Iris Meredith, Forrest Taylor and I. Stanford Jolley. The film was re ...

'' (1942) - Jean Lorin * ''

'' (1943) - Joan Ainsley * ''

'' (1951) - Minor Role (uncredited) (final film role)

References

External links

* *
Iris Meredith
at b-westerns.com {{DEFAULTSORT:Meredith, Iris Actresses from Iowa Deaths from cancer in California American film actresses 20th-century American actresses Actors from Sioux City, Iowa 1915 births 1980 deaths Western (genre) film actresses