Dorothy Meyer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dorothy Meyer
in Sanford and Son (1973)
Born	(1924-11-06)November 6, 1924 Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Died	September 24, 1987(1987-09-24) (aged 62) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1931–1987

Dorothy Meyer (November 6, 1924 – September 24, 1987) was an American actress. She was known for playing many different types of characters in movies and TV shows. She often played smart and funny maids, neighbors, friends, nurses, and church ladies. She was very active in acting during the 1970s and 1980s.

About Dorothy Meyer's Life and Career

Dorothy Meyer was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on November 6, 1924. Her father was a Presbyterian minister, which is a type of Christian church leader. She followed this religion throughout her life.

Early Acting and Work

When she was a child, Dorothy started her acting journey by singing and dancing. She performed in many Christian-themed shows in an area known as the Bible Belt. She was inspired to act more after Hattie McDaniel, an African-American actress, won an Oscar. This award was for her role in the movie Gone with the Wind.

During World War II, Dorothy worked in a steel factory in Indiana. She was a secretary and a typist during the day. At night and on her days off, she acted in local plays.

Moving to California and TV Debut

In the early 1950s, Dorothy moved to California. There, she began a career in modeling. She appeared in advertisements for popular brands like Maxwell House Coffee and Hallmark Greeting Cards. She also modeled for Westinghouse, Walgreens, Sears Roebuck, and Hersey's Chocolates.

After two decades of modeling, she started acting on TV. Her first TV appearance was in 1971 on The Bill Cosby Show.

Successful Acting Career

Between 1971 and 1987, Dorothy Meyer had 42 acting roles. She appeared in many popular TV shows. These included That's My Mama, Sanford and Son, The Waltons, and The Jeffersons. She also acted in Starsky & Hutch, Lou Grant, Hill Street Blues, Murder, She Wrote, and 227.

She had a very successful career. She acted alongside famous people. Some of these included Linda Blair, Richard Pryor, and Muhammad Ali.

Activism and Later Life

Besides acting, Dorothy Meyer was also known for her strong beliefs. She was a liberal Democrat. She was also an activist for African American rights. She strongly supported the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). She often spoke about civil liberties in low-income communities. She admired the work of presidents John F. Kennedy and Jimmy Carter.

Dorothy Meyer passed away in Los Angeles, California, on September 24, 1987. She was 62 years old. Two movies she had made were released after her death. These were Moving (1988) and Wildfire (1988).

Dorothy Meyer's Filmography