Sanford Meisner (August 31, 1905 – February 2, 1997) was an American actor and drama educator, best known for developing the Meisner Acting Technique. He was a key figure in the American Method acting movement, alongside Lee Strasberg and Stella Adler. Meisner emphasized spontaneous, truthful reactions in performance, using exercises like the 'repetition exercise' to train actors to respond authentically in the moment. He taught for decades at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City, influencing generations of actors, including Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, and Gregory Peck. His approach remains a cornerstone of modern acting education worldwide.
