Kieth Merrill Biography: Wife, Age, Books, Height, Ethnicity, Children, Net Worth, Movies

Kieth W. Merrill, widely recognized as Kieth Merrill, is an acclaimed American filmmaker, writer, director, and producer known for his innovative work in documentaries, IMAX features, and faith-based cinema.

He earned an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature with The Great American Cowboy (1973) and received another nomination for Amazon (1997).

Merrill has directed and produced landmark films including Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets (1984), Windwalker (1980), The 12 Dogs of Christmas (2005), and LDS Church-commissioned works like Legacy (1990) and The Testaments (2000).

He has also authored novels such as The Evolution of Thomas Hall (2011) and The Immortal Crown (2016).

Profile

• Full Name: Kieth W. Merrill
• Stage Name: Kieth Merrill
• Born: 22 May 1940
• Age: 85 years old
• Birthplace: Farmington, Utah, United States
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Filmmaker, Writer, Director, And Producer
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: David Merrill and Leola Green Merrill
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Dagny Johnson (m. 1964)
• Children: 8
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $5 million

Early Life and Education

Kieth W. Merrill was born on May 22, 1940, in Farmington, Utah. He grew up in this small pioneer-founded town north of Salt Lake City. David Merrill, an artist and landscape architect, and Leola Green Merrill, a playwright and actress, raised him. He has no publicly known siblings.

Merrill served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Denmark for two-and-a-half years. He graduated from Brigham Young University in 1967 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

He is of American ethnicity, specifically with roots in Utah’s pioneer heritage, and is a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Career

Kieth Merrill launched his filmmaking career in the late 1960s after graduating from BYU, initially focusing on industrial and educational documentaries that showcased his emerging talent for visual storytelling.

He gained initial recognition with The Great American Cowboy (1973), a documentary that captured the spirit of rodeo life and earned him an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 1974.

This breakthrough opened doors to larger projects, including collaborations with respected producers and work in diverse formats like television miniseries and commercials.

Early efforts demonstrated his ability to blend authentic narratives with innovative cinematography, setting the stage for his reputation in independent and large-format filmmaking.

Merrill achieved key accomplishments through groundbreaking IMAX and 70mm productions that drew massive audiences, such as Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets (1984), which became a top-grossing independent film, and Amazon (1997), earning him a second Academy Award nomination.

He directed Windwalker (1980), listed among the top 100 independent films of all time, and created faith-inspired works like Mr. Krueger’s Christmas (1980) starring Jimmy Stewart.

He also produced and directed LDS Church films Legacy (1990) and The Testaments (2000) for Temple Square’s Legacy Theater. Merrill expanded into family-friendly features with The 12 Dogs of Christmas (2005) and its sequel, while venturing into television with the Emmy-nominated miniseries The Wild West (1993).

These projects highlighted his versatility across genres and his commitment to meaningful, often spiritually resonant storytelling.

Kieth Merrill leaves a lasting legacy as a pioneer in large-format cinema and independent filmmaking, with films that have grossed hundreds of millions and influenced generations through their visual grandeur and thematic depth.

He authored novels including The Evolution of Thomas Hall (2011) and The Immortal Crown (2016), extending his narrative skills to literature.

Merrill founded a private school, served on boards like Southern Virginia University, and received honors such as the Franklin S. Harris Fine Arts Award from BYU.

His prolific output in documentaries, features, and church-related works continues to inspire filmmakers and audiences alike.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: Unknown
• Facebook Handle: Unknown
• Twitter Handle: Unknown

Personal Life

Kieth Merrill married Dagny Johnson on February 3, 1964, and the couple has shared a long and devoted partnership for over 60 years.

They have eight children, including filmmaker Dagen Merrill, along with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Merrill describes Dagny as his best friend, confidant, and collaborator. The family resides in Northern California, embracing a lifestyle rooted in faith, hard work, and family values as active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Filmography

• The Great American Cowboy (1973)
• Windwalker (1980)
• Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets (1984)
• Amazon (1997)
• The 12 Dogs of Christmas (2005)

Net Worth

Kieth Merrill has an estimated net worth of $5 million. His primary sources of income derive from decades of directing, producing, and writing award-winning films, including Academy-recognized documentaries and high-grossing IMAX features, supplemented by book sales, television projects, and independent production work.