Ralph Meeker

Ralph Meeker was a film actor who appeared as Mike Hammer in Kiss Me Deadly. Meeker was born Ralph Rathgeber in Minneapolis, Minnesota on November 21, 1920, the son of Ralph and Magnhild Senovia Haavig Meeker Rathgeber.

Related Topics:
Mike Hammer - Kiss Me Deadly - Minneapolis, Minnesota - November 21 - 1920

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He made his film debut in 1951 with a small role in MGM's Teresa, followed by a starring role in the Swiss-made Four in a Jeep, directed by Leopold Lindtberg.

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For his performance in the play Picnic, Meeker was awarded the New York Critic's Circle Award in 1954. Picnic became a classic film in 1956, with William Holden and Kim Novak starring in the roles originated by Meeker and Janice Rule.

Related Topics:
Picnic - William Holden - Kim Novak

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Meeker starred as Mike Hammer in the 1955 Robert Aldrich film of Mickey Spillane's Kiss Me Deadly.

Related Topics:
Mike Hammer - Robert Aldrich - Mickey Spillane - Kiss Me Deadly

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Meeker married two times. His first wife was actress Salome Jens. The marriage lasted from 1964 to 1966. His second marriage was to Colleen Meeker.

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Major success continually eluded him. He died of a heart attack on August 5, 1988, in Woodland Hills, California.

Related Topics:
August 5 - 1988 - Woodland Hills, California

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