Meredith was born on November 16, 1907 in Cleveland, Ohio. He studied at Hoosac School and at Amherst College. Meredith was married to Helen Derby from 1933 until they divorced in 1935. He was married to Margaret Perry from 1936 until they divorced in 1938. He was married to Paulette Goddard from 1944 until they divorced in 1949. He was married to Kaja Sundsten from 1950 until his death. Meredith had cyclothymia. He died on September 9, 1997 in Malibu, California from Alzheimer's disease and melanoma, aged 89. 