Actor Burgess Meredith dies, aged 89

Burgess Meredith, the actor whose film roles over 60 years included the boxing manager in Rocky and the caretaker in Of Mice and Men, has died aged 89.

He had suffered from Alzheimer's and other complications of old age, his son Jonathan said yesterday.

His career included roles such as Ginger Rogers' suitor in Tom, Dick and Harry and the war correspondent Ernie Pyle in The Story of GI Joe. He was nominated for two Oscars. He was also known as the Penguin in the 1960s Batman.

He was married four times: to Helen Derby, actresses Margaret Perry and Margaret Goddard, and dancer Kaja Sundsten.