(1915-1980) Born Iris Marie Shunn in Sioux City, Iowa, Iris Meredith made her film debut at 17 playing a saleslady in Hat Check Girl (1932). She slaved away as an uncredited Goldwyn Girl -- literally in the case of Roman Scandals (1933)! -- before kicking-off a seven-year run as a popular western heroine with Cowboy Star (1936) opposite Charles Starrett. This was only the first of twenty popular pairings with Starrett, Columbia Pictures' top cowboy leading man. Meredith teamed with Columbia's other western star Bill Elliott in four features and a serial. She is credited with appearing in 32 westerns, placing her third among all screen cowgirls.

Iris Meredith also appeared in three of Columbia Pictures' best-loved serials. (Coincidence? I think not.) These were The Spider's Web (1938), Overland With Kit Carson (1939), and The Green Archer (1940). As Nita Van Sloan in Web she exudes just the right amounts of glamour, cool, and class. It is regrettable she had left Columbia by the time a sequel was made, although the Nita role is greatly reduced in The Spider Returns.

Shortly after reteaming with serial director James W. Horne for Archer, Meredith left Columbia in 1940. She made only a handful of films for Monogram and PRC (Producers Releasing Corporation) before leaving acting behind in 1943 for married life with Columbia Pictures director/assistant director Abby Berlin (1907-1965), who is best known for helming many films in the Blondie series.