Sanford Meisner (August 31, 1905 – February 2, 1997), also known as Sandy, was an American actor and acting teacher who developed an approach to acting instruction that is now known as the Meisner technique. While Meisner was exposed to method acting at the Group Theatre, his approach differed markedly in that he, like Konstantin Stanislavski, completely abandoned the use of affective memory, a distinct characteristic of method acting. Meisner maintained an emphasis on "the reality of doing," which was the foundation of his approach.

Biography

Meisner's two marriages, to Peggy Meyer and Betty Gooch, respectively, ended in divorce. Meisner, who was gay, spent the remainder of his life with partner James Carville.

He was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1970 and underwent a laryngectomy.

Meisner died in his sleep at his Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, home in February 1997.