Ruby Jean Cruz (born March 31, 2000)[1] is an American actress. She has acted in various short films and television series including Mare of Easttown and Castle Rock, and most notably as Kit Tanthalos in Willow.[2]
Ruby Cruz | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ruby Jean Cruz[1] March 31, 2000[1] Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Father | Brandon Cruz |
In 2023, she made her feature length movie debut as Hazel Callahan in Bottoms, directed by Emma Seligman.[3]
Career
editRuby Cruz was born to actor and musician Brandon Cruz and Liz Cruz, an entrepreneur.[1][4][5] Cruz grew up in Los Angeles, California, and began auditioning for film and television roles in high school.[6] She studied theater at DePaul University before dropping out to pursue her acting career.[6]
In 2018, Cruz played the younger version of Lizzy Caplan's character, Annie Wilkes, in Castle Rock. Cruz received praise from TVLine for the way she captured Caplan's physicality.[7] In 2020, Cruz appeared in season 10 of Blue Bloods.[8]
In 2021, Cruz appeared as Jess Riley in the HBO drama series Mare of Easttown.[9] Later that year, Cruz was cast as Kit Tanthalos, the first openly lesbian Disney princess, in the television series Willow.[10] The show, which premiered in November 2022, acts as a sequel to the 1988 film of the same title.[11][12][13]
In 2023, she appeared alongside Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri in Bottoms as Hazel Callahan, a co-founder of a high school fight club for girls.[14][15]
Personal life
editCruz identifies as queer.[16][17] Her father is American former actor and punk musician Brandon Cruz.[18] Her mother, Elizabeth "Liz" Cruz (née Finkelstein), is an entrepreneur, whom her father married in 1994 and later divorced. She has one older brother, Lincoln, born 1995.[19]
Filmography
editTelevision
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Castle Rock | Teen Annie Wilkes | 2 Episodes |
| 2020 | Blue Bloods | Amanda Webster | Episode: "Where the Truth Lies" |
| 2021 | Mare of Easttown | Jess Riley | 6 Episodes |
| 2022 | Willow | Princess Kit Tanthalos/Young Bavmorda (voice only) | 8 Episodes |
Films
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Aging Out | June | Short film |
| The Jump | Luna | Short film | |
| Murder On The Green | Lucy | Short film | |
| 2019 | Spin | The School Girl | Short film |
| 2020 | God Is a Lobster | Bea | Short film |
| 2023 | Bottoms | Hazel Callahan | Premiered March 11 at SXSW Festival |
| TBA | What Would Jesus Do? | Thandi | Short film |
| The Threesome | Jenny | In post production |
Music Videos
edit| Year | Title | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | "Salad" | Blondshell |
References
edit- ^ a b c d "The Courtship of Eddie's Father: Biographies/Where are they now?". Sitcoms Online. January 22, 1934. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ Ropert, Sienna (February 23, 2023). "Ruby Cruz". Photobook. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
- ^ Seligman, Emma, Bottoms (Comedy), Brownstone Productions (II), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Orion Pictures, retrieved February 5, 2023
- ^ Madden, Joane (October 17, 2021). "Keeping Up With Brandon Cruz: From Child Star to Punk Rocker". TV Banter. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
- ^ Wanjala, Naomi (September 4, 2023). "Ruby Cruz's Parents Are Associated with the Arts - Facts about Them". Amo Mama. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
- ^ a b Nemiroff, Perri (December 4, 2022). "'Willow': Ruby Cruz on How She Carved Her Own Unique Path to Becoming a Disney Series Star". Collider. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
- ^ "Castle Rock's Annie (Ruby Cruz)". tvline.com. March 23, 2021.
- ^ "Ruby Cruz". tv.Apple.com.
- ^ "Keeping Track of the Massive Mare of Easttown Cast". Harpersbazaar.com. May 30, 2021.
- ^ Hogan, Heather (January 12, 2023). ""Willow" Gives Us the Lesbian Disney Princess We've Been Waiting For". Autostraddle. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
- ^ "Willow reboot finds new lead star in Castle Rock actress Ruby Cruz". Yahoo.com.
- ^ "Willow': Ruby Cruz Cast As A Lead In Disney+ Series". Deadline. March 11, 2021.
- ^ "'Willow' Trailer Breakdown: The Magical Cult Classic Returns". Collider.com. September 15, 2022.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (April 11, 2022). "'Bottoms': Rachel Sennott, Ayo Edebiri, Marshawn Lynch & More To Star In High School Sex Comedy From Orion & Brownstone; 'Shiva Baby's Emma Seligman Directing". Deadline. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
- ^ Bosselman, Haley (November 29, 2022). "Ruby Cruz Talks 'Willow,' Sword Fighting And the 'Genius' of 'Bottoms'". LA Confidential. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
- ^ Seth, Kenisha (2021). "Ruby Cruz". PhotoBook Magazine. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
- ^ "Inside the queer TV love story that's made the cast, and now fans, lose their minds". Los Angeles Times. December 21, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
- ^ Gross, Ed (September 18, 2019). "'Courtship of Eddie's Father' At 50: Bill Bixby and Others Look Back". Closer Weekly. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ "Keeping up with Brandon Cruz: From child star to punk rocker".
Further reading
edit- 'Willow' stars Ruby Cruz and Erin Kellyman break down that epic love scene
- ‘Willow’ Star Ruby Cruz Talks Her Complicated Disney Princess and Taking Over the Role From Her Good Friend
- Ruby Cruz Says Playing Princess Kit in Willow Was 'Empowering' And 'Therapeutic' | Exclusive
- 'Willow': Ruby Cruz on How She Carved Her Own Unique Path to Becoming a Disney Series Star
- ‘Willow’: Ruby Cruz Cast As A Lead In Disney+ Series