Meredith Bixby

Meredith Bixby (May 31, 1909 – Sept. 11, 2002) was an American puppeteer.

Early life and education Meredith Bixby studied engineering at Wayne State University, but discovered a passion for drawing. He then moved to New York City and attend the Art Students League and studied painting under Thomas Hart Benton. Jackson Pollock was one of his classmates. To support himself he worked at the New York Public Library Main Branch. There he found the book A Repertory of Marionette Plays by Paul McPharlin and attempted to make his own production of Dr. Faustus during a month’s vacation. He also produced plays for commercial clients.

Career After World War II, Bixby moved to Saline, Michigan where his father had a dentistry practice. Each year he would preview his productions in the old Saline Opera House

Bixby trained recent college graduates to take the show on the road and pull the strings.

Other activities In 1937, Bixby was among the founders of Puppeteers of America.

In 1956, Bixby was a founding officer of the Saline Broadcasting Co., and acquired the radio broadcast license for WOIA studios.

In 1969, Bixby began making films of his marionette plays,

In 2024, James K. and Marcia J. Cameron published Tales Come Alive! The Meredith Marionettes: An Oral History.