Ruth Donnelly (May 17, 1896 – November 17, 1982) was an American film and stage actress.

Ruth Donnelly
Donnelly in 1939
Born(1896-05-17)May 17, 1896
DiedNovember 17, 1982(1982-11-17) (aged 86)
New York City, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1913–1965
Spouse
Basil de Guichard
(m. 1932; died 1958)
RelativesFrederick W. Donnelly (uncle)

Early years and family

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Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Donnelly was the daughter of Harry Augustus and Bessie B. Donnelly.[1]

Her uncle Frederick W. Donnelly was the longtime mayor of Trenton, New Jersey.[2][3]

According to a 1915 article in The Day Book, Donnelly was forced to leave Sacred Heart Convent in New Jersey because she repeatedly laughed at inappropriate times.[4]

Career

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Donnelly began her stage career at the age of 17 in The Quaker Girl.[1] Actress Rose Stahl mentored Donnelly, and after training her with a year of experience in the chorus, placed her in the play Maggie Pepper.[4] Her Broadway debut brought her to the attention of George M. Cohan, who proceeded to cast her in numerous comic-relief roles in musicals such as Going Up (1917).

 
Donnelly in the trailer of Footlight Parade (1933)

Although Donnelly made her first film appearance in 1914, her Hollywood career began in 1931 and lasted until 1957. In her films, she often played the wife of Guy Kibbee (Footlight Parade, Wonder Bar, Merry Wives of Reno, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington). Among her roles was the part of Sister Michael in The Bells of St. Mary's, starring Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman. Years after her final film role, she returned to the stage as an understudy to Patsy Kelly in the Broadway revival of No No Nanette, and later she appeared in the touring production with Don Ameche and Evelyn Keyes.

Personal life and death

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Donnelly was married to AC Spark Plug executive[2] Basil Winter de Guichard from 1932 until his death in 1958.[5][6] She was a devout Catholic. [7]

Donnelly died at Roosevelt Hospital in New York City at age 86.[6]

Complete filmography

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References

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  1. ^ a b Nissen, Axel (2016). Accustomed to Her Face: Thirty-Five Character Actresses of Golden Age Hollywood. McFarland. pp. 25–26. ISBN 9781476626062. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Ruth Donnelly, Film Actress, Will Marry". Santa Cruz Evening News. Associated Press. June 24, 1932 – via Newspapers.com.  
  3. ^ "F. Donnelly Dead. 21 Years as Mayor. Trenton Leader Resigned in 1932 Because of Health. His Father Mayor 1884-86". New York Times. September 26, 1935. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  4. ^ a b "She Laughed Her Way From Convent to Stage". The Day Book. April 22, 1915 – via Newspapers.com.  
  5. ^ "Basil deGuichard". Washington Star. May 30, 1958. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  6. ^ a b Blau, Eleanor (November 19, 1982). "Ruth Donnelly, Comedienne and Character Actor in Films". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 2, 2017. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  7. ^ Morning News, January 10, 1948, Who Was Who in America (Vol. 2).
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