Newmeyer's Early Life and Baseball Career
Born in Central City, Colorado, Newmeyer's journey began with a stint as a professional baseball player. He played as a left-handed pitcher in Minor League Baseball, appearing in at least 66 games and winning at least 26 matches. Newmeyer's impressive statistics can be attributed to his time spent in the Southwest Texas League, Michigan State League, and Central Association from 1911 to 1913.
Film Career and Collaborations
Newmeyer's foray into film began with his work on the Our Gang series, although his initial attempt at directing the first short, also titled Our Gang, failed to impress and was largely scrapped. He went on to direct numerous other comedy shorts and feature films, working closely with Harold Lloyd on films like Safety Last! (1923),Girl Shy (1924),and The Freshman (1925),alongside co-director Sam Taylor. Newmeyer's extensive directing and acting resume includes appearances in 71 films between 1914 and 1923.
Return to Our Gang and Later Life
Newmeyer returned to the Our Gang series in 1936, directing a string of successful shorts, including The Pinch Singer, Arbor Day, Mail and Female, and the feature film General Spanky. He also worked with his wife, Berna, and their son, Fred W. After his film career, Newmeyer transitioned to a role at the athletic department of University High School in Los Angeles.
Personal Life and Legacy
Newmeyer's personal life was marked by his marriage to Berna, with whom he had a son, Fred W. He passed away on April 24, 1967, at the age of 78, leaving behind a legacy as a talented director and actor in the world of comedy film.
