Ruth Donnelly

Ruth Donnelly
Born (1896-05-17)May 17, 1896
Trenton, New Jersey, U.S.
Died November 17, 1982(1982-11-17) (aged 86)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Occupation Actress
Years active 1913–1965
Spouse(s) Basil de Guichard (1932–1958; his death)[1]
Parent(s) Harry Augustus Donnelly
Bessie B. Donnelly

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

Early years

Born in Philadelphia, Donnelly was the daughter of Harry Augustus Donnelly and Bessie B. Donnelly.[2]

According to a 1915 article in The Day Book, the young Donnelly was forced to leave Sacred Heart Convent in New Jersey because she repeatedly broke into laughter at inappropriate times.[3]

Career

Donnelly began her stage career at the age of 17 in The Quaker Girl.[2] Actress Rose Stahl took the teen under her wing and, after giving her training and a year's experience in the chorus, placed the then 18-year-old in the play Maggie Pepper.[3] Her Broadway debut brought her to the attention of George M. Cohan, who proceeded to cast her in numerous comic-relief roles in such musicals as Going Up (1917).[4]

Though she made her first film appearance in 1913, her Hollywood career began in earnest in 1931 and lasted until 1957. In her films she often played the wife of Guy Kibbee (Footlight Parade, Wonder Bar, 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, understudying Patsy Kelly in the Broadway revival of No No Nanette with old co-star Ruby Keeler and later appearing in the touring production starring Don Ameche and Evelyn Keyes.

Her uncle, Frederick W. Donnelly, was the longtime mayor of Trenton, New Jersey.[1][5]

Personal life

Donnelly was married to Basil de Guichard.[6]

Death

Donnelly died at Roosevelt Hospital in New York City at age 86. She was survived by her sister.[6]

Complete filmography

References

  1. 1 2 "Ruth Donnelly, Film Actress, Will Marry". Santa Cruz Evening News. Associated Press. June 24, 1932 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. 1 2 Nissen, Axel (2016). Accustomed to Her Face: Thirty-Five Character Actresses of Golden Age Hollywood. McFarland. pp. 25–26. ISBN 9781476626062. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  3. 1 2 "She Laughed Her Way From Convent to Stage". The Day Book. April 22, 1915 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "Ruth Donnelly Other Works". Internet Movie Database. imdb.com. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
  5. ↑ "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 2011-10-04.
  6. 1 2 Blau, Eleanor (November 19, 1982). "Ruth Donnelly, Comedienne and Character Actor in Films". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2017.


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