Barbara Meek facts for kids

Barbara Anita Meek (born February 26, 1934 – died October 3, 2015) was an American actress. She was well-known for playing the character Ellen Canby on the TV show Archie Bunker's Place for two seasons. Starting in 1968, Barbara Meek was a very active member of the Trinity Repertory Company in Providence, Rhode Island. She performed in more than 100 plays there.

About Barbara Meek's Early Life

Barbara Meek was born in Detroit, Michigan. Her parents were Juanita and Harold Talmadge Meek. Her grandfather was Reverend Horatius "H.H." Coleman, a pastor at the Greater Macedonia Baptist Church.

Barbara went to Northwestern High School. While studying at Wayne State University, she was invited to join the university's special theater program for graduate students. She was also a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority during her college years.

In 1965, Barbara Meek toured with the United Services Organization (USO). She performed for soldiers who were recovering from injuries on Okinawa and other U.S. Army bases. In 1968, she joined the Trinity Repertory Company with her husband, Martin Molson. They both made their debut there in a play called Brother to Dragons.

Barbara Meek's Acting Career at Trinity Rep

Barbara Meek had many important roles during her time at Trinity Repertory Company. She played lead characters in famous plays like Fences and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom by August Wilson. She also starred in Boesman and Lena by Athol Fugard, and Peer Gynt.

Some of her other notable performances included The Threepenny Opera, Tartuffe, and The Visit. She even played the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in an adaptation of A Christmas Carol. Later in her career, she appeared in Raisin in the Sun and Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest.

In 2008, Barbara Meek acted in Blithe Spirit and an adaptation of Antigone at Trinity Rep. She also performed in Camelot, The Crucible, and Steel Magnolias during the 2010–2011 season. In the 2011–2012 season, she was in Sparrow Grass.

Barbara Meek's Television Appearances

Barbara Meek also had several roles on television. She appeared in TV adaptations of books like Brother to Dragons, The House of Mirth, and Life Among the Lowly, which were shown on PBS. She was also in Melba on CBS and Big Brother Jake on The Family Channel.

She was featured in the Emmy Award-winning TV movie See How She Runs, which starred Joanne Woodward. She also appeared in the TV movie Jimmy B. and Andre.

Barbara Meek made guest appearances on popular soap operas. She played Veronica Everestt on As the World Turns in 1992 and 1997. She was Samantha Monroe on General Hospital in 1994 and 1999. She also played Verne Garrison on Guiding Light in 1993 and 1999.

Awards and Honors for Barbara Meek

Barbara Meek received many awards for her amazing acting career. The University of Rhode Island gave her an Honorary Doctor of Arts Degree. In 2004, she received the Pell Award for Excellence in the Arts.

She also earned the Foundation for Repertory Theatre Award, the Wayne State University Arts Achievement Award in Theatre, and the Norton Prize for Sustained Excellence. In 2006, the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society honored her with the Edward Bannister and Christiana Bannister History Makers Award.

Barbara Meek's Personal Life and Passing

Barbara Meek passed away on October 3, 2015, due to a heart attack.