Ruth Gordon
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- October 30, 1896 in Quincy, Massachusetts, USA
- Died
- August 28, 1985
- Active Years
- 1940–1987 (48 Years)
- Total Credits
- 65 credits in database
Biography
Ruth Gordon Jones was an American actress, screenwriter, and playwright born on October 30, 1896, in Quincy, Massachusetts. She passed away on August 28, 1985, at the age of eighty-eight. Known for her nasal voice and distinctive personality, she began her career performing on Broadway at age nineteen and gained international recognition and critical acclaim for film roles that continued into her seventies and eighties. Her later work included performances in Rosemary's Baby, Where's Poppa?, Harold and Maude, Every Which Way but Loose, Any Which Way You Can, and Hallmark Hall of Fame. In addition to acting, she wrote numerous plays, film scripts, and books, most notably co-writing the screenplay for the 1949 film Adam's Rib.
Career overview
Ruth Gordon Jones was an American actress, screenwriter, and playwright born on October 30, 1896, in Quincy, Massachusetts. Known for her nasal voice and distinctive personality, she began her career performing on Broadway at age nineteen. Over a long career, she gained international recognition and critical acclaim for film roles that continued into her seventies and eighties.
Her later work included performances in films such as Rosemary's Baby, Where's Poppa?, Harold and Maude, Every Which Way but Loose, and Any Which Way You Can. She was also associated with Hallmark Hall of Fame. In addition to acting, Gordon wrote numerous plays, film scripts, and books. Most notably, she co-wrote the screenplay for the 1949 film Adam's Rib.
Gordon passed away on August 28, 1985, at the age of 88. Throughout her life and career, she contributed significantly to both the stage and screen as a performer and writer.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
65 titles- The Ten-Year Lunch (1987) as Herself - Participant
- The Trouble with Spies (1987) as Mrs. Arkwright
- Maxie (1985) as Mrs. Lavin
- Voyage of the Rock Aliens (1984) as The Sheriff
- The Secret World of the Very Young (1984) as Mary
- Delta Pi (1984) as Mugsy
- Newhart (1982) as Blanche Devane
- Night of 100 Stars (1982) as Self
- Natalie - A Tribute to a Very Special Lady (1982)
- Don't Go to Sleep (1982) as Bernice
- Jimmy the Kid (1982) as Bernice
- Any Which Way You Can (1980) as Ma Boggs
- My Bodyguard (1980) as Gramma
- Hardhat & Legs (1980) as Grandmother
- Hardhat & Legs (1980) Screenplay
- Scavenger Hunt (1979) as Arvilla Droll
- Boardwalk (1979) as Becky Rosen
- Taxi (1978) as Dee Wilcox
- Every Which Way but Loose (1978) as Ma Boggs
- Perfect Gentlemen (1978) as Ms. Cavagarno
- The Love Boat (1977) as Mrs. Warner
- The Prince of Central Park (1977) as Mrs. Miller
- Look What's Happened to Rosemary's Baby (1976) as Minnie Castevet
- The Big Bus (1976) as Old Lady
- The Great Houdinis (1976) as Cecilia Weiss
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Host
- Medical Story (1975) as Emily Dobson
- Rhoda (1974)
- Kojak (1973) as Miss Eudora Temple
- Adam's Rib (1973) Story
- Adam's Rib (1973) Creator
- Isn't It Shocking? (1973) as Marge Savage
- Emergency! (1972) as Lenore
- Columbo (1971) as Abigail Mitchell
- Film '72 (1971) as Self
- Harold and Maude (1971) as Maude
- The Flip Wilson Show (1970) as Self
- Where’s Poppa? (1970) as Mrs. Hocheiser
- What Ever Happened to Aunt Alice? (1969) as Mrs Dimmock
- The Dick Cavett Show (1968) as Self - Guest
- Rosemary's Baby (1968) as Minnie Castevet
- Rosie! (1967) Theatre Play
- Inside Daisy Clover (1966) as The Dealer - Mrs. Clover
- Lord Love a Duck (1966) as Stella Bernard
- Blithe Spirit (1966) as Madame Arcati
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- The Matchmaker (1954) as Mrs. Levi
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- The Actress (1953) Writer
- Pat and Mike (1952) Screenplay
- The Marrying Kind (1952) Writer
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Madame Arcati
- Adam's Rib (1949) Screenplay
- The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
- The Ford Theatre Hour (1948) Writer
- A Double Life (1947) Screenplay
- Over 21 (1945) Theatre Play
- Edge of Darkness (1943) as Anna Stensgard
- Action in the North Atlantic (1943) as Mrs. Sarah Jarvis
- Two-Faced Woman (1941) as Ruth Ellis
- Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet (1940) as Mrs. Ehrlich
- Abe Lincoln in Illinois (1940) as Mary Todd Lincoln
- Information Please Series 2, No. 2 (1940) as Self - Guest Expert
- The Whirl of Life (1915) as Dancer
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Ruth Gordon best known for?
Ruth Gordon is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Trouble with Spies (1987), Twelve Plus One (1969), Any Which Way You Can (1980), My Bodyguard (1980).
When and where was Ruth Gordon born?
Ruth Gordon was born on October 30, 1896 in Quincy, Massachusetts, USA. They passed away on August 28, 1985.
How many credits does Ruth Gordon have?
Ruth Gordon has accumulated over 65 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1940 to 1987.
What is Ruth Gordon's background in cinema and television?
Ruth Gordon Jones was an American actress, screenwriter, and playwright born on October 30, 1896, in Quincy, Massachusetts. She passed away on August 28, 1985, at the age of eighty-eight. Known for her nasal voice and distinctive personality, she began her career performing on Broadway at age nineteen and gained intern...
Ruth Gordon by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Madame Arcati — aged about 54
- Columbo (1971) as Abigail Mitchell — aged about 74
- Emergency! (1972) as Lenore — aged about 75
- Rosemary's Baby (1968) as Minnie Castevet — aged about 71
- Harold and Maude (1971) as Maude — aged about 74
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self — aged about 65
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