Russ Meyer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Russ Meyer
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Meyer in 1996 (photo by Roger Ebert)
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| Born |
Russell Albion Meyer
March 21, 1922 San Leandro, California, U.S.
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| Died | September 18, 2004 (aged 82) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Years active | 1947–2001 |
| Spouse(s) |
Betty Valdovinos
(m. 1949–1950)Eve Meyer
(m. 1952–1966)Edy Williams
(m. 1970–1975) |
Russell Albion Meyer (March 21, 1922 – September 18, 2004) was an American filmmaker. He worked as a director, producer, screenwriter, cinematographer (someone who operates a film camera), and editor.
Contents
Early Life and Film Beginnings
Russ Meyer was born in San Leandro, California. His father was a police officer. His parents divorced when he was very young. Russ did not have much contact with his father growing up.
When he was 14, his mother bought him an 8 mm film camera. She had to pawn her wedding ring to get it. By age 15, he was already making amateur films.
During World War II, Meyer served in the U.S. Army. He was a combat cameraman for the 166th Signal Photo Company. He became a staff sergeant. He made strong friendships in the Army. Many of these friends later worked on his films. Some of his wartime work can be seen in newsreels. It also appears in the movie Patton (1970).
After the war, Meyer wanted to work in Hollywood. But he found it hard to get jobs there. He did not know the right people in the film industry. So, he made industrial films for businesses. He also worked as a still photographer for big movies like Giant. He became well-known as a photographer for magazines.
Personal Life
Russ Meyer was married three times:
- Betty Valdovinos
- Eve Meyer
- Edy Williams
Later Years and Legacy
Russ Meyer owned the rights to almost all of his films. In the 1980s and 1990s, he made a lot of money. He sold his films again on home video and DVD. The Chicago Film Festival honored his work in 1985.
In the mid-1990s, Meyer started having memory problems. By 2000, doctors said he had Alzheimer's disease. His secretary, Janice Cowart, took care of him. She also managed his estate.
Meyer did not have a wife or children when he died. He decided to give most of his money to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He did this to honor his late mother.
Russ Meyer passed away at his home in Hollywood Hills. He died on September 18, 2004, at age 82. He died from complications of pneumonia. His grave is in the Stockton Rural Cemetery. It is located in San Joaquin County, California.
Images for kids
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Meyer in 1996 (photo by Roger Ebert)
See also
In Spanish: Russ Meyer para niños
