Ruth Hussey
Biography
Ruth Hussey was an American actress whose career spanned film, Broadway and early television. Born in Providence, Rhode Island, she studied art at Pembroke College and later earned a theater degree from the University of Michigan, then worked in summer stock. She moved into stage work in New York, where she modeled and toured with productions, and in 1937 she was signed by MGM while touring with Dead End. She became a leading lady in the studio's B unit, often playing sophisticated, worldly roles. Her breakout role was Elizabeth Imbrie in The Philadelphia Story (1940), which brought an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She appeared in Northwest Passage (1940), The Uninvited (1944) and The Great Gatsby (1949), and co-starred in The Facts of Life (1960). Her Broadway credits included State of the Union in 1946 and Goodbye, My Fancy in 1949, and she was active in early television drama.
93years old at death
- Born Providence
- Died Newbury Park
- Star sign: ScorpioThe sign runs October 23 to November 21
- Also credited as Ruth Carol Hussey
Movie Career
- Films
- 11
- Career span
- 22 years1938 to 1960
First and latest
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Big break
Ruth Hussey played Elizabeth Imbrie, a cynical magazine photographer, in The Philadelphia Story (1940). Her breakout role brought her a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.
Big break
In 1937, while on a national tour with Dead End, Hussey was seen at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles on opening night by Billy Grady, an MGM talent scout. MGM then signed her, and she made her film debut that same year.
First role
A friend urged Hussey to try out for roles at the Providence Playhouse, but its director turned her down, explaining that casting happened only out of New York City. She went to New York that week and, on day one, signed with an agent who got her a Providence Playhouse play beginning the next day.
A role that slipped away
In a 1955 Lux Radio Theater production of Shane, Hussey took on the part of Miriam Starrett, the role Jean Arthur had played, and appeared with Ladd and Heflin, the stars of the film.
Ruth Hussey movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
George Cukor directed three of these films. Marjorie Main appears in three of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Marjorie Main's page
Bess Flowers's page
Joan Crawford's page
Virginia Grey's page
Nat Pendleton's page
Robert Young's page
All films by George Cukor
Also two films together4 more actors
- Virginia WeidlerThe Philadelphia Story (1940) and The Women (1939)
- Tom NealAnother Thin Man (1939) and Honolulu (1939)
- Ann MorrissHonolulu (1939) and Spring Madness (1938)
- Muriel HutchisonAnother Thin Man (1939) and The Women (1939)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Awards
Two awards and honors.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame Women inductee | Won | ||
| Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Honored | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.