| Revision as of 02:55, 7 June 2010 editPinkadelica (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers48,689 editsm →Television: Link← Previous edit | Revision as of 03:04, 7 June 2010 edit undoJack Merridew (talk | contribs)34,837 edits →Selected filmography: balance template usagesNext edit → | ||
| Line 41: | Line 41: | ||
| Lee has been involved with the charitable organization "The Thalians" for over fifty years.<ref name=glamourgirl /> In addition to raising money and providing services for troubled youth and mental health organizations, Lee, who is also the board chairman, has co-produced the annual Ball of the Thalians with ] for over fifty years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lastylewatch.com/THALIANSball2006.html|title=Going For the Gold...51st Anniversary Ball of the Thalians|date=2006-10-07|publisher=lastylewatch.com}}</ref> | Lee has been involved with the charitable organization "The Thalians" for over fifty years.<ref name=glamourgirl /> In addition to raising money and providing services for troubled youth and mental health organizations, Lee, who is also the board chairman, has co-produced the annual Ball of the Thalians with ] for over fifty years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lastylewatch.com/THALIANSball2006.html|title=Going For the Gold...51st Anniversary Ball of the Thalians|date=2006-10-07|publisher=lastylewatch.com}}</ref> | ||
| ==Selected filmography== | == Selected filmography == | ||
| {{Filmography table begin|Year|Film|Role|Notes}} | {{Filmography table begin|Year|Film|Role|Notes}} | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| Line 51: | Line 52: | ||
| | 1955 | | 1955 | ||
| | ''The Twinkle in God's Eye'' | | ''The Twinkle in God's Eye'' | ||
| | Ruthie, Dance Hall Girl |
| Ruthie, Dance Hall Girl | ||
| | | | | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| | 1956 | | 1956 | ||
| | ''Gaby'' | | ''Gaby'' | ||
| | Denise |
| Denise | ||
| | | | | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| Line 71: | Line 72: | ||
| | 1963 | | 1963 | ||
| | ''Hootenanny Hoot'' | | ''Hootenanny Hoot'' | ||
| | A.G. Bannister |
| A.G. Bannister | ||
| | | | | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| | 1964 | | 1964 | ||
| | ''Bullet for a Badman'' | | ''Bullet for a Badman'' | ||
| | Lottie |
| Lottie | ||
| | Alternative title: ''Renegade Posse'' | | Alternative title: ''Renegade Posse'' | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| | 1983 | | 1983 | ||
| | ''Rooster: Spurs of Death!'' | | ''Rooster: Spurs of Death!'' | ||
| | Gayly |
| Gayly | ||
| | Alternative titles: ''Rooster''<br>''Spurs of Death!'' | | Alternative titles: ''Rooster''<br />''Spurs of Death!'' | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| | 1994 | | 1994 | ||
| | ''Pterodactyl Woman from Beverly Hills'' | | ''Pterodactyl Woman from Beverly Hills'' | ||
| | Mrs. Poole |
| Mrs. Poole | ||
| | | | | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| | 1995 | | 1995 | ||
| | '']'' |
| '']'' | ||
| | Laura Fawkes |
| Laura Fawkes | ||
| | | | | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| | |
| 2001 | ||
| | ''Pretty When You Cry'' | | ''Pretty When You Cry'' | ||
| | Antique Store Patron |
| Antique Store Patron | ||
| | Alternative title: ''Seduced: Pretty When You Cry'' | | Alternative title: ''Seduced: Pretty When You Cry'' | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| Line 106: | Line 107: | ||
| | 2006 | | 2006 | ||
| | ''Sadie and the Slot Machines'' | | ''Sadie and the Slot Machines'' | ||
| | Sadie Silver |
| Sadie Silver | ||
| | | | | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| Line 113: | Line 114: | ||
| | Grandma | | Grandma | ||
| | ] | | ] | ||
| {{Filmography table end}} | |||
| |- | |||
| |} | |||
| ⚫ | ; Television | ||
| ⚫ | |||
| {{Filmography table begin|Year|Title|Role|Notes}} | {{Filmography table begin|Year|Title|Role|Notes}} | ||
| |- |
|- | ||
| | 1955 | | 1955 | ||
| | '']'' | | '']'' | ||
| Line 125: | Line 126: | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| | 1957 | | 1957 | ||
| | '']'' |
| '']'' | ||
| | Lea Franklin | | Lea Franklin | ||
| | Episode: "Armored Car" | | Episode: "Armored Car" | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| | rowspan=2|1958 | | rowspan="2" | 1958 | ||
| | '']'' | | '']'' | ||
| | Lucy Barron | | Lucy Barron | ||
| Line 138: | Line 139: | ||
| | Episode: "Bride's Father-in-Law" | | Episode: "Bride's Father-in-Law" | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| | rowspan=3|1959 | | rowspan="3" | 1959 | ||
| | '']'' | | '']'' | ||
| | Marie Gipson | | Marie Gipson | ||
| Line 144: | Line 145: | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| | '']'' | | '']'' | ||
| | Angela Temple |
| Angela Temple | ||
| | Episode: "Millionaire Angela Temple" | | Episode: "Millionaire Angela Temple" | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| Line 156: | Line 157: | ||
| | Episode: "Killer's Brand" | | Episode: "Killer's Brand" | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| | rowspan=3|1961 | | rowspan="3" | 1961 | ||
| | '']'' | | '']'' | ||
| | Peggy Braddock | | Peggy Braddock | ||
| Line 165: | Line 166: | ||
| | Episode: "Man from Everywhere" | | Episode: "Man from Everywhere" | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| | '']'' |
| '']'' | ||
| | Opal |
| Opal | ||
| | Episode: "Siege at Jubilee" | | Episode: "Siege at Jubilee" | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| | 1962 | | 1962 | ||
| | |
| '']'' | ||
| | Lenore Walton |
| Lenore Walton | ||
| | Episode: "Wanted for the Murder of Cheyenne Bodie" | | Episode: "Wanted for the Murder of Cheyenne Bodie" | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| | rowspan=3|1963 | | rowspan="3" | 1963 | ||
| | '']'' |
| '']'' | ||
| | Colleen Riley | | Colleen Riley | ||
| | Episode: "Call It a Lifetime" | | Episode: "Call It a Lifetime" | ||
| Line 187: | Line 188: | ||
| | Episode: "Enough Rope" | | Episode: "Enough Rope" | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| | rowspan=2|1964 | | rowspan="2" | 1964 | ||
| | '']'' | | '']'' | ||
| | Zoe Pigalle | | Zoe Pigalle | ||
| | Episode: "The Day of the Lame Duck" |
| Episode: "The Day of the Lame Duck" | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| | '']'' | | '']'' | ||
| Line 197: | Line 198: | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| | 1965 | | 1965 | ||
| | '']'' |
| '']'' | ||
| | Gloria Morgan | | Gloria Morgan | ||
| | Episode: "]" | | Episode: "]" | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| | rowspan=2|1967 | | rowspan="2" | 1967 | ||
| | '']'' | | '']'' | ||
| | Alida Nye | | Alida Nye | ||
| Line 215: | Line 216: | ||
| | Episode: "To Kill a Cop" | | Episode: "To Kill a Cop" | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| | rowspan=2|1969 | | rowspan="2" | 1969 | ||
| | '']'' | | '']'' | ||
| | Fan | | Fan | ||
| Line 221: | Line 222: | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| | '']'' | | '']'' | ||
| | Shirley Ballinger |
| Shirley Ballinger | ||
| | Episode: "All Flags Flying" | | Episode: "All Flags Flying" | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| Line 246: | Line 247: | ||
| | 1981 | | 1981 | ||
| | ''Elvis and the Beauty Queen'' | | ''Elvis and the Beauty Queen'' | ||
| | Su-Su |
| Su-Su | ||
| | Television movie | | Television movie | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| Line 265: | Line 266: | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| | 1984–1985 | | 1984–1985 | ||
| | |
| '']'' | ||
| | Rona | | Rona | ||
| | 4 episodes | | 4 episodes | ||
| Line 306: | Line 307: | ||
| | 2005 | | 2005 | ||
| | ''Studio House'' | | ''Studio House'' | ||
| | Lily Fargate |
| Lily Fargate | ||
| | Television movie | | Television movie | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| | 2006 | | 2006 | ||
| | ''Christmas Do-Over'' | | ''Christmas Do-Over'' | ||
| | Granny Conlon |
| Granny Conlon | ||
| | Television movie | | Television movie | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| | 2007 | | 2007 | ||
| | '']'' | | '']'' | ||
| | Rose Jenkins |
| Rose Jenkins | ||
| | Television movie | | Television movie | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| | 2010 | | 2010 | ||
| | '']'' | | '']'' | ||
| | Herself |
| Herself | ||
| | 6 episodes | | 6 episodes | ||
| {{Filmography table end}} | |||
| |- | |||
| |} | |||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 03:04, 7 June 2010
| Ruta Lee | |
|---|---|
 Lee in December 2009 | |
| Born | Ruta Mary Kilmonis |
| Other names | Rita Kilmonis Ruta Kilmonis |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1953 – present |
| Spouse |
Webster B. Lowe (m. 1976) |
| Website | http://www.rutalee.com/ |
Ruta Lee (born May 30, 1936) is a Canadian actress and dancer who appeared as one of the brides in the film Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. She is also known for her guest appearance in The Twilight Zone in 1959, and for being a semi-regular on a number of game shows, including the Hollywood Squares, What's My Line?, and as Alex Trebek's co-host on High Rollers.
Early life and career
Ruta Lee was born Ruta Mary Kilmonis in Montreal, Quebec, and she was the only child of two Lithuanian immigrants. Her father was a tailor and her mother was a homemaker. In 1948, her family moved to Los Angeles, Calif., where she attended high school at Hollywood High School, and began studying acting and appearing in high school plays. She attended both Los Angeles City College and the University of California at Los Angeles.
Ruta worked as a cashier, an usherette, and a candy girl at the famous Grauman's Chinese Theater, but when she was $40.00 short in her cash account at the end of her shift one night, she was dismissed and lost her job.
Lee then got a break with a spot on TV with George Burns and Gracie Allen. She next found an agent, who found her a job in an episode of the Roy Rogers show, followed by a spot on the series Adventures of Superman in 1953. That same year, while doing a small theater production of On the Town, she landed a role in the Academy Award-nominated musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. After Seven Brides, Lee appeared in several films including Anything Goes (1956), Funny Face , Witness for the Prosecution (1957), and Marjorie Morningstar (1958) with Natalie Wood. In 1962, Ruta appeared in the comedy/western film Sergeants 3 along with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Peter Lawford.
Lee has also appeared on numerous television shows such as Gray Ghost, Playhouse 90, Gunsmoke, Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer, The Lineup, M Squad, Hawaiian Eye, The Wild Wild West, Rawhide, 77 Sunset Strip, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Perry Mason, Burke's Law, The Andy Griffith Show, The Lucy Show, The Flying Nun, and Hogan's Heroes. During this period, Lee also began appearing regularly on game shows such as Hollywood Squares and Match Game.
In the early 1970s, Lee continued to appear in both films and television roles including stints on Love, American Style, The Mod Squad, and a role in the 1972 film The Doomsday Machine. By 1974, Lee grew frustrated by the lack of roles she was landing and took a job co-hosting the daytime game show High Rollers. She remained with the show until 1976.
During the 1980s, she lent her voice to episodes of The Flintstone Comedy Show and The Smurfs, in addition to roles on CHiPs, The Love Boat, Charles in Charge. From 1988 to 1989, Lee has a recurring role on the CBS sitcom Coming of Age. In 1989, she played the role of Sally Powers in the tv movie Sweet Bird of Youth with Elizabeth Taylor. In the 1990s, Lee continued to appear in episodic television, most notably in the series Roseanne. Lee appeared as the girlfriend of Roseanne Connor's (Roseanne Barr) mother, Bev Harris (Estelle Parsons), who had disclosed that she was a bisexual.
In 2006, Lee received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contribution to the television industry.
In February 2008, Lee appeared as Clairee in a production of Steel Magnolias with Sally Struthers at the Casa Mañana Theatre in Fort Worth, Texas.
Personal life
Ms. Lee married the Texan restaurant executive Webster B. "Webb" Lowe, Jr., in 1976. The two of them divide their time between their houses near Hollywood (in Laurel Canyon, which was once the home of Rita Hayworth and Orson Welles), Palm Springs, Fort Worth, and Las Hadas, Mexico. One of Lowe's business ventures: Life Way Slender Mist, an appetite-suppressing mouth spray.
Charity work
In addition to acting, Lee is also known as a defender of human rights. In 1964, Lee called then Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev asking him to pardon her grandmother, Ludvise Kamandulis. Lee's grandmother had been in an internment camp in Siberia since World War II. The pardon was granted and Lee's grandmother was allowed out of the country to live with Lee in California in 1966, but she died two years later. Lee again rescued a relative from the former Soviet Union when she secured custody of her 18-year old cousin Maryte Kaseta from Lithuania in 1987.
Lee has been involved with the charitable organization "The Thalians" for over fifty years. In addition to raising money and providing services for troubled youth and mental health organizations, Lee, who is also the board chairman, has co-produced the annual Ball of the Thalians with Debbie Reynolds for over fifty years.
Selected filmography
Template:Filmography table begin
|-
| 1954
| Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
| Ruth
|
|-
| 1955
| The Twinkle in God's Eye
| Ruthie, Dance Hall Girl
|
|-
| 1956
| Gaby
| Denise
|
|-
| 1957
| Witness for the Prosecution
| Diana
|
|-
| 1961
| Operation Eichmann
| Anna Kemp
|
|-
| 1963
| Hootenanny Hoot
| A.G. Bannister
|
|-
| 1964
| Bullet for a Badman
| Lottie
| Alternative title: Renegade Posse
|-
| 1983
| Rooster: Spurs of Death!
| Gayly
| Alternative titles: Rooster
Spurs of Death!
|-
| 1994
| Pterodactyl Woman from Beverly Hills
| Mrs. Poole
|
|-
| 1995
| Funny Bones
| Laura Fawkes
|
|-
| 2001
| Pretty When You Cry
| Antique Store Patron
| Alternative title: Seduced: Pretty When You Cry
|-
| 2004
| Quiet Kill
| Doris
| Alternative title: Nightmare Boulevard
|-
| 2006
| Sadie and the Slot Machines
| Sadie Silver
|
|-
| 2007
| A Christmas Too Many
| Grandma
| Direct-to-DVD release
Template:Filmography table end
- Television
Template:Filmography table begin |- | 1955 | Science Fiction Theatre | Student | Episode: "The Unexplored" |- | 1957 | Highway Patrol | Lea Franklin | Episode: "Armored Car" |- | rowspan="2" | 1958 | Sugarfoot | Lucy Barron | Episode: "The Dead Hills" |- | December Bride | Carol Hodges | Episode: "Bride's Father-in-Law" |- | rowspan="3" | 1959 | Peter Gunn | Marie Gipson | Episode: "Edie Finds a Corpse" |- | The Millionaire | Angela Temple | Episode: "Millionaire Angela Temple" |- | Whirlybirds | Ginny | Episode: "Mr. Jinx" |- | 1960 | Shotgun Slade | Lilly Cody | Episode: "Killer's Brand" |- | rowspan="3" | 1961 | Dante | Peggy Braddock | Episode: "Dante's Fickle Fate" |- | Zane Grey Theater | Jenny Aldrich | Episode: "Man from Everywhere" |- | Laramie | Opal | Episode: "Siege at Jubilee" |- | 1962 | Cheyenne | Lenore Walton | Episode: "Wanted for the Murder of Cheyenne Bodie" |- | rowspan="3" | 1963 | Arrest and Trial | Colleen Riley | Episode: "Call It a Lifetime" |- | The Twilight Zone | Flora Gordon | Episode: "A Short Drink From a Certain Fountain" |- | Temple Houston | Lucy Tolliver | Episode: "Enough Rope" |- | rowspan="2" | 1964 | The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters | Zoe Pigalle | Episode: "The Day of the Lame Duck" |- | The Fugitive | Mrs. Janet Loring | Episode: "Angels Travel on Lonely Roads: Part 2" |- | 1965 | Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. | Gloria Morgan | Episode: "Gomer Dates a Movie Star" |- | rowspan="2" | 1967 | Judd, for the Defense | Alida Nye | Episode: "To Love and Stand Mute" |- | Mannix | Jean Coleman | Episode: "Run, Sheep, Run" |- | 1968 | Ironside | Marian | Episode: "To Kill a Cop" |- | rowspan="2" | 1969 | The Guns of Will Sonnett | Fan | Episode: "Trail's End" |- | Marcus Welby, M.D. | Shirley Ballinger | Episode: "All Flags Flying" |- | 1971 | Mayberry R.F.D. | Terry | Episode: "The City Planner" |- | 1972 | Me and the Chimp | Lavelle Wiggins | Episode: "My Pet, the Thief" |- | 1979 | Mork & Mindy | Lisa | Episode: "Mork's Night Out" |- | 1980 | Vega$ | Gloria Garland | Episode: "Love Affair" |- | 1981 | Elvis and the Beauty Queen | Su-Su | Television movie |- | 1982 | Simon & Simon | Penny Russell | Episode: "Matchmaker" |- | 1983 | CHiPs | Babe | Episode: "Journey to a Spacecraft" |- | 1984 | Hotel | Georgia Potter | Episode: "Ideals" |- | 1984–1985 | 1st & Ten | Rona | 4 episodes |- | 1985 | Benson | Zelda | Episode: "Solid Gold" |- | 1988 | Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School | Revolta (Voice) | Television movie |- | 1989 | Jake and the Fatman | Leilani Simmons | Episode: "Sweet Leilani" |- | 1990 | Murder, She Wrote | Renee | Episode: "A Body to Die For" |- | 1992 | Delta | Charlotte Tyler | Episode: "How Much Is That Darden in the Window?" |- | 2000 | Power Rangers: Lightspeed Rescue | Koko Kashmere | Episode: "In the Limelight" |- | 2003 | Life With Bonnie | Mrs. Ruta Blanchette | Episode: "Places, Stat!" |- | 2005 | Studio House | Lily Fargate | Television movie |- | 2006 | Christmas Do-Over | Granny Conlon | Television movie |- | 2007 | Christmas at Cadillac Jack's | Rose Jenkins | Television movie |- | 2010 | La La Land | Herself | 6 episodes Template:Filmography table end
References
- ^ Schwartz, Harry (June 3, 1998). - "Asian slaw proves a treat for Ruta Lee". - Tulsa World. - Retrieved on 2009-06-22.
- ^ The Private Life & Times of Ruta Lee. - GlamourGirlsOfTheSilverScreen.com.
- ^ Lowry, Mark (2008-02-10). "Homecoming Queen". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved 2008-03-28.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - Christine, Sparta (2003-03-11). "Emergence from the closet". USA Today. Retrieved 2008-03-28.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - "Ruta Lee gets star on Hollywood Walk". USA Today. 2006-10-11. Retrieved 2008-03-28.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - Ruta Lee Official Biography. - RutaLee.com.
- Nuckols, Carol (1991-10-24). "Not What You'd Call a Garden-Variety Lunch". Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - Gekko, Joann (1986-08-15). "Oldest Active Military Officer in US Retires". The Fresno Bee.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - Mastick, Spencer (1987-10-16). "Actress Gets Her Cousin Out of Soviet Union". The Fresno Bee.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - "Going For the Gold...51st Anniversary Ball of the Thalians". lastylewatch.com. 2006-10-07.