A compliant pressure roller (10) for creating uniform pressure at a nip comprises a stationary inner core (12). A plurality of shoes (14) is pivotally mounted to the stationary inner core. Dividers (16) create a plurality of annular chambers (18) wherein each of the shoes occupies one of the chambers. A non-Newtonian fluid (70) fills each of the chambers. A plurality of actuators is connected to at least one of the shoes. A thin, rotatable shell surrounds the plurality of chambers, shoes, and stationary inner core.