Donald Meek Biography

Fast Facts

• His recognizable baldness was the result of a fever contracted during military service in Cuba
• Joined an acrobatic team as its top-mounter in 1894, but after a fall nearly claimed his life, he returned to the stage
• Started his acting career when he was 8 years old in the stage production "Le Voyage en Suisse․"
• The Spanish-American War interrupted his early career, which saw him working in stock for 22 years
• His first major success was in "Going Up," a New York musical
• Acted in over 100 movies, often playing milquetoast characters
• His favorite roles were those of the Little Irishman in "The Informer" and the zany toymaker in "You Can't Take It With You․"