Biografie

Square-jawed, brutal-looking American character actor. Before working in films, he was variously employed as longshoreman, safety inspector, cab driver and insurance salesman. On screen invariably played heavies in westerns and crime melodramas.

Although mostly known for tough guy roles, he's also recognized by Stanley Kubrick fans for playing the wise, kindhearted priest to three doomed men in Path's Of Glory.

American character actor usually in nasty, nasty roles, marked by ruthlessness, domination or inflexibility.

Meyer provided such noteworthy performances as Rufus Ryker, the cattle baron who brings in a hired killer in Shane (1953), as the belligerent Mr Halloran in Blackboard Jungle (1955) and the corrupt cop Harry Kello, who intends to "chastise" Tony Curtis in Sweet Smell of Success (1957), his most frequently remembered role today.

Meyer had an uncredited, small speaking role as a sea captain in Panic in the Streets (1950) after Elia Kazan discovered him in a theatrical production in New Orleans.