The 'brains' and 'action' heavies who had meaty roles and lots of dialog ... and the players who were fathers, ranch owners, lawman, mayors, judges, lawyers, storekeepers, newspaper editors, wardens, etc.

(Courtesy of Ed Phillips)

Born in Minnesota on September 7, 1890, Lew Meehan was a frequent heavy, henchie, barkeep, etc. in scores of oaters.

His Hollywood career began around 1921, and his last film appearance was circa 1944.  Meehan looked mean ... and he had a crooked and flattened nose remindful of a prize fighter who took too many punches.

Les Adams has Meehan identified in about 135 sound era films, and of these, 119 are westerns and 11 are chapterplays.

You may want to go to the In Search Of ... page on the Old Corral and check the California Death Records database.  There you will find a record for: James Lew Meehan, born 9/7/1890 in Minnesota, Mother's maiden name of Dougherty, and he passed away on 8/10/1951.  There is no record in the Social Security Death Index (SSDI).

(Courtesy of Les Adams) Above from L-to-R are Lew Meehan, Sherry Tansey and Bob Steele in a crop from a lobby card from THUNDER IN THE DESERT (A. W. Hackel/Republic, 1938). Above is a 1950 blue duotone re-release lobby card from THE GUN RANGER (A. W. Hackel/Republic, 1937).  Bob Steele has the drop on, from L-to-R, Earl Dwire, Lew Meehan, Archie Ricks, Jack Evans and Barney Beasley.

  Although some of the data is incomplete or inaccurate, the Internet Movie Database (IMDB) has information on Lew Meehan.  Click HERE.