Wikipedia

Ralph Meeker

Ralph Meeker(bornRalph Rathgeber;November 21, 1920 – August 5, 1988)[1]was an American film, stage, and television actor. He first rose to prominence for his roles in the Broadway productions ofMister Roberts(1948–1951) andPicnic(1953),[1]the former of which earned him aTheatre World Awardfor his performance. In film, Meeker is known for his portrayal ofMike HammerinRobert Aldrich's 1955Kiss Me Deadlyand as condemned infantryman Cpl. Philippe Paris in Stanley Kubrick’sPaths of Glory.

Ralph Meeker
Meeker in a photo for the MGM filmCode Two(1953)
Born
Ralph Rathgeber

(1920-11-21)November 21, 1920
Minneapolis,Minnesota, U.S.
DiedAugust 5, 1988(1988-08-05)(aged 67)
Los Angeles,California, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1945–1980
Spouses
  • ​
    ​
    (m.1964;div.1966)​
  • Millicent Meeker
    ​
    ​
    (before 1988)​

Meeker went on to play a series of roles that used his husky andmachoscreen presence, including a lead role inStanley Kubrick's military courtroom dramaPaths of Glory(1957), as a troubled mechanic oppositeCarroll BakerinSomething Wild(1961), as a World War II captain inThe Dirty Dozen(1967), and in the gangster filmThe St. Valentine's Day Massacre(1967). Other credits include supporting roles inI Walk the Line(1970) andSidney Lumet'sThe Anderson Tapes(1971).

He also had a prolific career in television, appearing as Sergeant Steve Dekker on the seriesNot for Hire(1959–1960), and in the television horror filmThe Night Stalker(1972). After suffering a stroke in 1980, Meeker was forced to retire from acting, and died eight years later of a heart attack in Los Angeles, California.

Early life

edit

Meeker was born Ralph Rathgeber in Minneapolis, Minnesota on November 21, 1920,[1][2]the son of Ralph and Magnhild Senovia Haavig Meeker Rathgeber. He spent his early life in Michigan and Chicago.[3]Meeker attendedthe Leelanau Schoolin Glen Arbor Township, Michigan, and later was made a member of its hall of fame. He graduated fromNorthwestern Universityin 1942, where he majored in music.[1]

Meeker served in the United States Navy duringWorld War II,but was discharged after a few months with a neck injury.[3]

Career

edit

Stage work

edit

Meeker began his career on stage, appearing in minor roles in the Broadway production ofStrange Fruit(1946) directed byJosé Ferrer,which ran for 60 performances.[citation needed]

He followed it with a minor part inCyrano de Bergerac(1946), starring Ferrer and directed byMel Ferrerwhich went for 163 performances.[4]

Meeker then starred on Broadway inMister Roberts(1948–1951), directed byJoshua Loganand produced byLeland Hayward.Theatre World said he was one of the 12 most promising actors from the 1947–48 season.[5][2][6]He was understudy forHenry Fonda.[citation needed]

Meeker's big breakthrough came when he took over the role ofStanley KowalskifromMarlon Brandoin the second year of the original Broadway production ofA Streetcar Named Desire,directed byElia Kazan.Logan and Hayward had Meeker under personal contract but agreed to release him fromMister Roberts.He started appearing in June 1949.[7]He played the role until the Broadway run ended in December and then toured on the road with it.[citation needed]

MGM Films

edit

Meeker made his film debut in the Swiss-madeFour in a Jeep(1951), directed byLeopold Lindtberg.He played a starring role alongsideViveca Lindfors.[8]

Meeker was then signed to a term contract byMGM.which put him inTeresa(1951), directed byFred Zinnemann.Meeker played a support role, a sergeant, and the film was very popular.[9]

MGM then cast him in the leading role inShadow in the Sky(1952), alongsideNancy Davis,later Nancy Reagan. The studio then tried him inGlory Alley(1952), billed aboveLeslie Caronand directed byRaoul Walsh.Both films flopped.[9]

Paramount borrowed him to playBetty Hutton's leading man inSomebody Loves Me(1952), a musical. It was a minor hit.

Meeker's next two MGM films were very popular. He had a supporting role as a misfit ex-cavalryman in the classic WesternThe Naked Spur(1953) directed byAnthony Mannstarring James Stewart. He was then inJeopardy(1953), a well-received thriller withBarbara Stanwyckand Barry Sullivan. His final film for MGM was the crime movieCode Two(1953), which made a small loss.[2][10]

Meeker also appeared on TV shows likeThe Revlon Mirror TheaterandLux Video Theatre.

Picnic

edit
Meeker in a stage production ofPicnic,1954

In 1954, Meeker was cast in a Broadway production ofWilliam Inge'sPicnic,directed by Logan and also starringPaul NewmanandJanice Rule.The play was a critical and commercial success, running for 477 performances.[11]Meeker was awarded the New York Critic's Circle Award in 1954.[citation needed]

Picnicbecame a classic film in 1955, withWilliam HoldenandKim Novakstarring in the roles originated by Meeker andJanice Rule.According toTurner Classic Movies,Meeker turned down the lead role because he did not wish to sign a long-term contract with the production company, and he never was offered a role of similar stature again.[3]

Meeker returned to films playing a cold-blooded convict inBig House, U.S.A.(1955).

Kiss Me Deadly

edit

In perhaps his most-remembered role, Meeker starred as private detectiveMike Hammerin the 1955Robert Aldrichfilm ofMickey Spillane'sKiss Me Deadly.Many years later, this film acquired cult status and was seen as an influence onFrench New Wavedirectors such asJean-Luc Godard.[12]

He then played a member of the French Foreign Legion inDesert Sands(1955). He was discussed to star in a Spillane sequelMy Gun Is Quick.[13]

On television, Meeker starred in the 1955 premiere episode, "Revenge",ofAlfred Hitchcock Presents,along withVera Miles.(He later appeared in three otherAlfred Hitchcocksegments.) He also guest-starred on shows likeStudio One in Hollywood,Star Stage,The Alcoa Hour,Goodyear Playhouse,Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre,Studio 57,Zane Grey Theater,Playhouse 90,andThe 20th Century Fox Hour.

In 1957, he portrayed an ex-convict who kidnaps and then falls forJane Russellin the romantic comedyThe Fuzzy Pink Nightgown,[14]which failed at the box office.[citation needed]

More popular was theSam FullerWesternRun of the Arrow(1957), with Meeker in a supporting role.[citation needed]

He produced the filmKindergartenin Germany.[15]

Paths of Glory

edit

That same year, he appeared inStanley Kubrick'sPaths of Glory,playing a soldier, Corporal Paris, accused of cowardice during battle in World War I.

Meeker returned to Broadway in 1958 to appear inCloud 7but it only ran 11 performances.

He continued to work heavily in TV on such shows asClimax!,Wagon Train,Kraft Theatre,Pursuit,Wanted: Dead or Alive,Schlitz Playhouse,The Loretta Young ShowandAlfred Hitchcock Presents.Meeker was cast withDorothy Provinein the 1959 episode "Blood Money" of the Western seriesThe Texan,starringRory Calhoun.[citation needed]He had the title role in the TV movieDillinger(1960).[16]

Not for Hire

edit

From 1959 to 1960, Meeker had the leading role as Army Sergeant Steve Dekker in the 39-episode television seriesNot for Hire.[17]

For Disney TV, he didTexas John Slaughter: Frank Clell's in Town(1961) withTom Tryon.He also was seen inTallahassee 7000.

In 1961, he starred in the political storyAdawithDean Martin,and inJack Garfein's experimental dramaSomething Wild,in which he portrayed a mechanic who saves a young woman (Carroll Baker) from committing suicide, but then holds her captive in his apartment.[18]

Meeker went back to Broadway to replaceEli Wallachin the production ofRhinocerosstarringZero Mostel.He was then inSomething About a Soldier(1962) withSal Mineodirected byDore Schary;it ran 12 performances.[19]

In 1962, Meeker portrayed Jack Slade in the episode "The Crooked Angel" of the drama seriesGoing My Way,starringGene Kellyas a Catholic priest in New York City and loosely based on1944 filmof the same name. He was also cast in 1962 as Barney Swanton in the episode "Walk Like a King" of the Western seriesEmpire,starringRichard Egan.He was also in episodes ofThe United States Steel Hour,andRoute 66.[20]

In 1963, he appeared as Murray Knopf in "The Bull Roarer" onBreaking Point,starringPaul RichardsandEduard Franz.

During theCold War,he appeared in a 1963U.S. Department of Defenseinformational filmTown of the Times,which encouraged the construction of publicfallout shelters.[21]He was in the feature filmWall of Noise(1963) at Warners.

Meeker guest-starred as Frank Marin in the 1964 episode "Swing for the Moon" ofChanning,co-starringJason EversandHenry Jones.He was also inThe Outer Limits,The Defenders,Suspense,The Doctors and the Nurses,andKraft Suspense Theatre.

Repertory on Broadway

edit

He returned to Broadway in 1964 forAfter the FallbyArthur Miller,directed by Kazan and starringJason Robards Jr.andBarbara Loden.It ran for 208 performances. The play was done in repertory withBut For Whom Charlie,also directed by Kazan with Meeker (andFaye Dunaway), but it was not as successful.[citation needed]

In 1965 Meeker was inMrs. Dally Had a Loveron Broadway, which ran 53 performances.[22]He guest-starred onThe Long, Hot Summer,Seaway,The Green Hornet,andTarzan.

Meeker later appeared in the 1967 crime dramaThe St. Valentine's Day Massacre,in which he played gangsterGeorge "Bugs" Moran.

Meeker was also in the 1967 war filmThe Dirty Dozenas Captain Stuart Kinder, a military psychologist who attempts to analyze the men. Meeker portrayed police officers inThe Detective(1969) withFrank SinatraandThe Anderson Tapes(1970) withSean Connery.

Meeker also starred inGentle Giant(1967),A Punt, a Pass, and a Prayer(1968), andThe Devil's 8(1968) and guest starred onDundee and the Culhane,The High Chaparral,andThe Name of the Game.

1970s

edit

Meeker worked steadily through the 1970s. He was in the TV filmLost Flight(1970), the featureI Walk the Line(1970), and episodes ofThe VirginianandThe F.B.I.,as well as the TV movieThe Reluctant Heroes of Hill 656(1971).[23]

In 1971, he appeared on television as Kermit Teller in the episode "Glory Rider" of the WesternCuster,withWayne Maunderin the title role.

That year, he was a replacement cast member in a stage production ofThe House of Blue Leaves.

Meeker was in episodes ofPrimus,Room 222,Faraday & Company,Ironside,Toma,The Evil Touch,Police Surgeon,Cannon,The Rookies,Movin' On,Barbary Coast,Police Story,Run, Joe, Run,Harry O,Police Woman,The Eddie Capra Mysteries,andCHiPs.

In 1971, Meeker played FBI agent Bernie Jenks in the TV movieThe Night Stalker.He was in TV moviesThe Mind Snatchers(1972),Birds of Prey(1973),You'll Never See Me Again(1973),Cry Panic(1974),Night Games(1974),The Girl on the Late, Late Show(1974), andThe Dead Don't Die(1975).

He madeLove Comes Quietly(1973) in Holland and worked in the John Wayne filmBrannigan(1974). He was second-billed inJohnny Firecloud(1975) and had a part inThe Food of the Gods(1976).

He was also inHi-Riders(1978) and starred inThe Alpha Incident(1978).

Final years

edit

Meeker was an executive producer onMy Boys Are Good Boys(1978), which he also appeared in. He had a role inWinter Kills(1979).[24]

Meeker's final screen role was in the independent science-fiction-horror filmWithout Warning(1980), about an alien landing.[25]The film received negative reviews from critics, with Tom Buckley ofThe New York Timescalling the film "illogical and predictable."[26]

Personal life

edit

Meeker married actressSalome Jenson July 20, 1964, and they were divorced in 1966.[27]He also married Millicent Meeker.[3]

Death

edit

In 1980, he suffered a severe stroke, which forced him to retire from acting. His health steadily declined, punctuated by several more strokes. He spent the last year of his life in theMotion Picture & Television Country House and Hospitalin Los Angeles, and died there, age 67, of a heart attack.[28]

Filmography

edit

Film

edit
Year Title Role Notes
1951 Die Vier im Jeep Sergeant William Long
1951 Teresa Sergeant Dobbs
1952 Shadow in the Sky Burt
1952 Glory Alley Socks Barbarrosa
1953 Somebody Loves Me Ben 'Benny' Fields
1953 The Naked Spur Roy Anderson
1953 Jeopardy Lawson
1953 Code Two Chuck O'Flair
1955 Big House, U.S.A. Jerry Barker
1955 Kiss Me Deadly Mike Hammer
1955 Desert Sands Captain David Malcolm
1956 A Woman's Devotion Trevor Stevenson
1957 The Fuzzy Pink Nightgown Mike Vala
1957 Run of the Arrow Lieutenant Driscoll
1957 Paths of Glory Corporal Philippe Paris
1960 Dillinger John Dillinger television film
1961 Ada Colonel Yancey
1961 Something Wild Mike
1963 Wall of Noise Matt Rubio
1967 The Dirty Dozen Captain Stuart Kinder
1967 The St. Valentine's Day Massacre George Clarence 'Bugs' Moran
1967 Gentle Giant Fog Hanson
1968 The Detective Curran
1968 A Punt, a Pass, and a Prayer Wally Walters television film
1969 The Devil's 8 Burl
1969 Lost Flight Glenn Walkup TV movie
1970 I Walk the Line Carl McCain
1971 The Anderson Tapes 'Iron Balls' Delaney
1971 The Reluctant Heroes Captain Luke Danvers TV movie
1972 The Night Stalker Bernie Jenks TV movie
1972 The Happiness Cage The Major also known asThe Mind SnatchersandThe Demon
1973 Birds of Prey Jim McAndrew TV movie
1973 You'll Never See Me Again Will Alden TV movie
1973 Love Comes Quietly Ben Hoeksema
1974 Cry Panic Chuck Brunswell TV movie
1974 Night Games Dutch Armbreck TV movie
1974 The Girl on the Late, Late Show Inspector DeBiesse TV movie
1975 The Dead Don't Die Police Lieutenant Reardon TV movie
1975 Brannigan Captain Moretti
1975 Johnny Firecloud Colby
1976 The Food of the Gods Bensington
1978 Hi-Riders Mike
1978 The Alpha Incident Charlie
1978 My Boys Are Good Boys Bert Morton
1979 Winter Kills Gameboy Baker
1980 Without Warning Dave

Television

edit
Year Title Role Notes
1952–1956 Goodyear Television Playhouse — 2 episodes
1952–1956 Lux Video Theatre Mike / Nicky Hanks 2 episodes
1953 The Revlon Mirror Theater — 2 episodes
1953 The Alcoa Hour Billy Hepburn 1 episode
1955–1956 Studio One in Hollywood Mr. Sheridan / Steve 2 episodes
1955 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Carl Spann Season 1 Episode 1: "Revenge"
1956 Star Stage — 1 episode
1956 Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre Joe Novak 1 episode
1956 Studio 57 Ranson 1 episode
1957 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Carl Borden Season 2 Episode 20: "Malice Domestic"
1957 Zane Grey Theater Steve Elkins 1 episode
1957 Playhouse 90 Carbine Webb 1 episode
1957 The 20th Century Fox Hour Commander John Lawrence 1 episode
1957–1958 Climax! 'Griff' Griffith / Alex Hill 2 episodes
1958 Pursuit — 1 episode
1958 Wagon Train Horse 1 episode
1958–59 Schlitz Playhouse of Stars Barry Brannon / Rich Adams 2 episodes
1958–1961 The Loretta Young Show Various 4 episodes
1959 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Mel Reeves Season 4 Episode 17: "Total Loss"
1959 Alfred Hitchcock Presents John Forbes Season 4 Episode 23: "I'll Take Care of You"
1959 Wanted: Dead or Alive Martin Ash 1 episode
1959 The Texas Sam Kerrigan 1 episode
1959–1960 Not for Hire Sergeant Steve Dekker 39 episodes
1961 Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color Franc Clell 1 episode
1961 Tallahassee 7000 Harry Griffold 1 episode
1962 Going My Way Jack Slade 1 episode
1962 Empire Barney Swanton 1 episode
1962–1963 The United States Steel Hour Charlie Williams 2 episodes
1962–1963 Route 66 Parker Smith / Willard McIntyre 2 episodes
1963 Breaking Point Murray Knopf 1 episode
1963 The Outer Limits John Dexter 1 episode
1964 The Defenders Floyd Cooper 1 episode
1964 Channing Frank Martin 1 episode
1964 The Doctors and the Nurses Sheffer 1 episode
1964 Suspense — 1 episode
1964 Kraft Suspense Theatre Harly Clay 1 episode
1966 The Long, Hot Summer Jess Corbett 1 episode
1966 Seaway Roy Burke 1 episode
1966–1971 The F.B.I. Graham Newcomb / Scott Martin / King Hogan 3 episodes
1967 The Green Hornet Earl Evans 1 episode
1967 Tarzan Karnak 1 episode
1967 Custer Kermit Teller 1 episode
1967 Dundee and the Culhane Maximus Tobin 1 episode
1967 The High Chaparral Tracy Conlin 1 episode
1968 The Name of the Game Senator Goddard 1 episode
1968–1974 Ironside Wescott / Ex-Detective 2 episodes
1970 The Virginian August Gruber 1 episode
1972–1974 Police Surgeon James Blinn 2 episodes
1973–1975 Police Story Alfred Attles / Sergeant Emit Howard / Chief Harry Stahlgaher 3 episodes
1974 Room 222 Mr. Jones 1 episode
1974 Faraday & Company Ed Kelso 1 episode
1974 Toma Frank Beecher 1 episode
1974 The Evil Touch Frank Drake 2 episodes
1975 Cannon Phil Dexter 1 episode
1975 The Rookies Officer Menteer 1 episode
1975 Movin' On Dave Bennet 1 episode
1975 Barbary Coast Big Lou Hobart 1 episode
1975 Run, Joe, Run Gant 1 episode
1975 Harry O Sergeant Frank Brannen 1 episode
1977 Police Woman Bellwood 1 episode
1979 CHiPs Jerry Borgman 1 episode

Stage credits

edit
Year Title Role Notes
1945–46 Strange Fruit Chuck [4]
1946–47 Cyrano de Bergerac Lackey [4]
1947–49 A Streetcar Named Desire Stanley Kowalski [4]
1948–1951 Mister Roberts Mannion Theatre World Award[2][4]
1953–54 Picnic Hal Carter [4]
1958 Cloud 7 Newton Reece [4]
1961 Rhinoceros Berrenger [4]
1962 Something About a Soldier Toat [4]
1964 But for Whom Charlie Charles Taney [4]
1964–65 After the Fall Mickey [4]
1965 Mrs. Dally Had a Lover Sam [4]

References

edit
  1. ^abcdRothstein, Mervyn (August 6, 1988)."Ralph Meeker, 67, Star of 'Picnic' And Featured Actor in Films, Dies".The New York Times.RetrievedOctober 12,2012.
  2. ^abcdMonush 2003,p. 493.
  3. ^abcdLoBianco, Lorraine."Ralph Meeker Profile".Turner Classic Movies.RetrievedMarch 7,2017.
  4. ^abcdefghijkl"Ralph Meeker Credits".The Internet Broadway Database.RetrievedMarch 8,2017.
  5. ^"MOST PROMISING PLAYERS: Theatre World Selects Twelve for the 1947–48 season".The New York Times.May 18, 1948. p. 27.
  6. ^BROOKS ATKINSON (February 19, 1948). "AT THE THEATRE".The New York Times.p. 27.
  7. ^SAM ZOLOTOW (April 15, 1949). "CAROL STONE EYES LEAD IN A MUSICAL: Expected to Take Over Joan Roberts Role in 'Shoes' -Latter Leaves April 23".The New York Times.p. 31.
  8. ^"(United Artists) Four in a Jeep".Screen World.3.Biblo & Tannen: 65. 1952.ISBN9780819602589.
  9. ^abMannix, Eddie.The Eddie Mannix Ledger.Los Angeles: Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study.
  10. ^Schallert, Edwin (March 3, 1952). "Ralph Meeker to Clash With Stewart; Barbara Britton in 'Riding Kid'".Los Angeles Times.p. B9.
  11. ^"'Picnic' tells conquest of Kansas Casanova ".Life.March 16, 1953. p. 136.
  12. ^Hoberman 2007,p. 155.
  13. ^Schallert, Edwin (April 17, 1956). "Hammer Role to Haunt Meeker, O'Connor Plans Independent Film Abroad".Los Angeles Times.p. B6.
  14. ^"'The Fuzzy Pink Nightgown' on View ".The New York Times.October 31, 1957.RetrievedDecember 26,2016.
  15. ^"Ralph Meeker to Make Movie".Los Angeles Times.September 1, 1957. p. D3.
  16. ^Meeker to Be Dillinger in New Thriller Series by Bob Salmaggi. The Washington Post and Times-Herald 25 July 1959: D8.
  17. ^"Not for Hire Packs Powerful Wallop and Scorns Taboos: Not for Hire Packs Hard Wallop and Scorns Taboos Page, Don".Los Angeles Times.January 10, 1960. p. G2.
  18. ^Maltin 1994,p. 1288.
  19. ^SAM ZOLOTOW (October 30, 1961). "TWO STARS ADDED TO MILITARY PLAY".The New York Times.p. 36.
  20. ^"OBITUARIES Played Tough Guys and Villains Ralph Meeker; Stage, Screen, TV Actor".Los Angeles Times.August 6, 1988. p. 28.
  21. ^"Town of the Times".
  22. ^Sam Zolotow (August 23, 1965). "SEASON'S OPENER A FAMILY AFFAIR: The Gabels Will Bring 'Mrs. Dally' to Stage Sept. 22".The New York Times.p. 21.
  23. ^"TV's 'Lost Flight' Stars Ralph Meeker".Los Angeles Times.November 14, 1968. p. h26.
  24. ^"Actor Ralph Meeker, 67".Newsday.August 6, 1988. p. 17.
  25. ^Muir 2012,p. 142.
  26. ^Buckley, Tom (September 26, 1980)."Movie Review -- 'WITHOUT WARNING'".The New York Times.RetrievedFebruary 22,2017.
  27. ^"Ralph Meeker".Turner Classic Movies.RetrievedAugust 26,2024.
  28. ^Folkart, Burt A. (August 6, 1988)."OBITUARIES: Played Tough Guys and Villains: Ralph Meeker; Stage, Screen, TV Actor".The Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on February 27, 2015.RetrievedFebruary 21,2017.

Works cited

edit
edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ralph_Meeker&oldid=1255583586"