On This Day

American actor Burgess Meredith (30) divorces actress Margaret Perry (25) after 2 years of marriage

Oliver Burgess Meredith (November 16, 1907 – September 9, 1997) was an American actor and filmmaker whose career encompassed radio, theater, film, and television. Active for more than six decades,...

Oliver Burgess Meredith (November 16, 1907 – September 9, 1997) was an American actor and filmmaker whose career encompassed radio, theater, film, and television.

Active for more than six decades, Meredith has been called "a virtuosic actor" and "one of the most accomplished actors of the century". A lifetime member of the Actors Studio, he won a Primetime Emmy Award, was the first male actor to win the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor twice, and was nominated for two Academy Awards.

Meredith established himself as a leading man in Hollywood with critically acclaimed performances as Mio Romagna in Winterset (1936), George Milton in Of Mice and Men (1939), and Ernie Pyle in The Story of G.I.

Historical Significance

Oliver Burgess Meredith (November 16, 1907 – September 9, 1997) was an American actor and filmmaker whose career encompassed radio, theater, film, and television.

Key People

Burgess Meredith

actor

American actor

Events Before

  1. Anastasio Somoza García becomes President of Nicaragua

    Anastasio Somoza García becomes President of Nicaragua

  2. American musician Nat King Cole (18) weds dancer Nadine Robinson in Ypsilanti, Michigan; divorce in 1948

    American musician Nat King Cole (18) weds dancer Nadine Robinson in Ypsilanti, Michigan; divorce in 1948

  3. American actress Mary Astor (30) weds third husband, Mexican film editor Manuel del Campo (23) in Yuma, Arizona; divorce

    American actress Mary Astor (30) weds third husband, Mexican film editor Manuel del Campo (23) in Yuma, Arizona; divorce in 1941

  4. Australian cricketer Don Bradman scores 169 in the 5th Test match against England in 223 minutes, ensuring Australia win

    Australian cricketer Don Bradman scores 169 in the 5th Test match against England in 223 minutes, ensuring Australia wins the Ashes 3-2

  5. Film director D. W. Griffith (61) weds actress Evelyn Baldwin (26)

    Film director D. W. Griffith (61) weds actress Evelyn Baldwin (26)

Events After

  1. Jim Bakker is born

    Jim Bakker televangelist, known for american televangelist, was born on 1939-01-02. James Orsen Bakker is an American televangelist and convicted felon.

  2. American future MLB catcher Roy Campanella (18) weds Bernice Ray; eventually divorce

    American future MLB catcher Roy Campanella (18) weds Bernice Ray; eventually divorce

  3. Adolf Hitler threatens Jews during his speech to the German Reichstag (Parliament)

    Adolf Hitler (20 April 1889 – 30 April 1945) was an Austrian-born German politician who was the dictator of Germany during the Nazi era, which lasted from 1933 until his suicide in 1945.

  4. American singer Frank Sinatra (23) marries 1st wife Nancy Barbato (21) at Our Lady of Sorrows catholic church in Jersey

    American singer Frank Sinatra (23) marries 1st wife Nancy Barbato (21) at Our Lady of Sorrows catholic church in Jersey City, New Jersey; divorce in 1951

  5. Mahatma Gandhi begins a fast in Bombay to protest against autocratic rule in India

    Mahatma Gandhi begins a fast in Bombay to protest against autocratic rule in India

More from the 1930s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on July 19, 1938?
Oliver Burgess Meredith (November 16, 1907 – September 9, 1997) was an American actor and filmmaker whose career encompassed radio, theater, film, and television. Active for more than six decades, Meredith has been called "a virtuosic actor" and "one of the most accomplished actors of the century". A lifetime member of the Actors Studio, he won a Primetime Emmy Award, was the first male actor to win the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor twice, and was nominated for two Academy Awards.
Why is American actor Burgess Meredith (30) divorces actress Margaret Perry (25) aft... significant?
Oliver Burgess Meredith (November 16, 1907 – September 9, 1997) was an American actor and filmmaker whose career encompassed radio, theater, film, and television.
Who was involved in American actor Burgess Meredith (30) divorces actress Margaret Perry (25) aft...?
Key figures include Burgess Meredith (actor).

Explore More