How Old Was Burgess Meredith: Answer-First Summary
Burgess Meredith was born on November 16, 1907, and died on September 9, 1997. He was 89 years old at death. He began his professional acting career in the late 1920s, so he was in his early 20s by his first documented stage and screen work in the early 1930s. His best-known roles came later in life, including the Penguin in Batman (1966) at about age 58 and the role of Mickey Goldmill in the Rocky films starting with Rocky (1976) at about age 68. These timelines are consistently reported across authoritative biographies, contemporary press, and obituaries, making his age at career milestones reliably documented.
Biographical Timeline: Key Dates and Ages
Placing Burgess Meredith’s ages alongside major events shows how his career extended across seven decades. The dates below are drawn from standard biographical sources and archival records, anchored to his confirmed birth date of November 16, 1907.
| Date or Period | Event | Age at Time | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 16, 1907 | Birth | 0 | Birth certificate / biographies |
| Early 1930s | Professional stage and screen start | Early 20s | Contemporary press, theater programs |
| 1938 | Notable radio work begins, including The March of Time | 30–31 | Radio archives, contemporaneous reviews |
| 1966 | Portrays the Penguin in Batman (TV series) | 58–59 | Production records, syndicated listings |
| 1976 | First Rocky film; role of Mickey Goldmill | 68–69 | Studio releases, cast documentation |
| 1997 | Death on September 9 | 89 | Obituaries, death certificate |
Age Context for Iconic Roles
Burgess Meredith is remembered for a handful of iconic roles that arrived at very different stages of his life. Understanding how old he was in each instance helps clarify why these performances resonated and how they represented distinct career phases. His ages at these moments are not trivia; they reflect a long arc of consistent work leading to late-career recognition.
The Penguin in Batman (1966)
By the time Meredith played the Penguin in the 1966 Batman television series, he was approximately 58 years old. The role showcased his flair for theatrical villainy and brought him renewed visibility with a younger audience through the show’s playful tone and popular run.
Mickey Goldmill in the Rocky Films (1976–2006)
Meredith’s portrayal of boxer Mickey Goldmill began with Rocky in 1976 when he was about 68. He was 76 in Rocky II (1979), and although the character was written out after the second film, the role remains his most enduring cinematic association. Subsequent appearances in later Rocky media were rare and not directly as Mickey Goldmill in live-action sequels starring Stallone.
Other Notable Work and Ages
Earlier in his career, Meredith was a prominent radio and stage figure, moving into film and television in his 30s through 50s. His hosting work on television in the late 1940s and early 1950s occurred while in his 40s, while narrations and voice roles in the 1970s and 1980s often found him in his 60s and 70s, demonstrating sustained vocal range and presence.
Primary Source Types Behind Age Reporting
Reliable sourcing for Burgess Meredith’s ages includes birth registries, studio records, syndicated press, and authoritative biographies. Obituaries from major outlets, legal documents, and interviews in which Meredith himself references his career timeline reinforce consistency across accounts. Discrepancies are minor and typically involve self-reported career start dates, whereas death year and age at death are uniformly documented.
| Metric | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Birth date | November 16, 1907 | Vital records, biographies |
| Age at death | 89 years | Obituaries, death certificate |
| Notable role ages | Penguin (~58), Mickey Goldmill (~68) | Production archives, cast records |
Why Age Matters in Understanding His Legacy
Burgess Meredith’s career longevity matters because it reflects durability in an industry that often sidelines older performers. By the time he played the Penguin and then Mickey Goldmill, he was an established veteran whose performances carried the weight of experience. Age contextualizes his perseverance, the breadth of his résumé, and why his late-career roles feel so resonant rather than incongruous. These milestones remain useful reference points for comparing generational arcs in entertainment.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What was Burgess Meredith’s birth date?
- When did he die and how old was he?
- At what age did he play the Penguin in Batman?
- How old was he when he first played Mickey Goldmill in Rocky?
- Which sources confirm his ages and career dates?