Here is the biography of Donald Meek:
Donald Meek was a Hollywood stalwart, known for his typecast roles as mousy, timorous, or browbeaten characters. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, he stood at 5 ft. 6 in. in his boots and weighed a mere 81 pounds. Despite his small stature, Donald had a remarkable background. By the age of fourteen, he had joined an acrobatic team, "The Marvells," and toured the United States. However, he sustained several compound fractures in a fall and had to quit.
Donald then joined the U.S. 6th Pennsylvania Regiment and saw action during the Spanish-American War in Cuba, where he was wounded and lost his hair due to yellow fever. He re-enlisted during World War I and served with the Canadian Highlanders as a corporal, but never got beyond Toronto.
Donald's love for acting began at a young age. At eight, he performed publicly in the comic pantomime "Le Voyage en Suisse." He later toured Australia, South Africa, India, and England in "Little Lord Fauntleroy." During his time in Cuba, he learned to imitate American speech, losing his Scottish accent.
After abandoning his career as an acrobat, Donald devoted more time to acting with various traveling stock companies and in New York. He made his Broadway debut in 1903 and remained gainfully employed in comedic roles until the late 1920s. Donald eventually transitioned to film, making his screen debut in 1931 as Dr. Amos Crabtree in "The Clyde Mystery."
Donald Meek became one of the most prolific character players in Hollywood, known for his respectability and prim and proper demeanor. He appeared in over 120 screen roles, including memorable performances in "You Can't Take It with You," "Stagecoach," "My Little Chickadee," and "State Fair." On occasion, he managed to step out of character, showcasing his range in films like "Barbary Coast," "The Toast of New York," and "The Whole Town's Talking."
Donald Meek passed away in November 1946 at the age of 68, but his legacy lived on. Fourteen years later, he was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
