Ruta Lee
| Ruta Lee | |
|---|---|
 Lee in December 2009 |
|
| Born | Ruta Mary Kilmonis May 30, 1936 Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Other names | Rita Kilmonis Ruta Kilmonis |
| Alma mater |
Hollywood High School |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1953–present |
| Spouse | Webster B. Lowe, Jr. (m. 1976) |
| Website | |
| http://www.rutalee.com/ | |
Ruta Lee (born May 30, 1936) is a Canadian-born actress and dancer who appeared as one of the brides in the film Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. She is known for her guest appearance in a 1963 episode of Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone and as 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.
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[edit] 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; her mother, a homemaker.[1] In 1948, her family moved to Los Angeles, California, where she graduated in 1954 from Hollywood High School[1] and began studying acting and appearing in school plays.[2] She attended both Los Angeles City College and the University of California at Los Angeles.[1]
Ruta worked as a cashier,[1] an usherette, and a candy girl at Grauman's Chinese Theater, but when she was $40 short in her cash account at the end of her shift one night, she was fired.[3]
Lee then got a break with a spot on TV with George Burns and Gracie Allen.[1] She soon found an agent, who landed 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 acting in a small theater production of On the Town,[1] she landed a role in the Academy Award-nominated musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.[2] 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 appeared on numerous television shows such as Gray Ghost, Cheyenne, Playhouse 90, Gunsmoke, The Fugitive, The Virginian, Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer, The Lineup, M Squad, Hawaiian Eye, The Wild Wild West, Rawhide, 77 Sunset Strip, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Perry Mason, Temple Houston, 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 appearances on Love, American Style, The Mod Squad, and a role in the 1972 film The Doomsday Machine. By 1974, Lee grew frustrated by an increasing lack of roles, and took a job co-hosting the daytime game show High Rollers.[2] She remained with the show until 1976.
In 1979, she appeared in an episode of Three's Company titled "An Anniversary Surprise" as the real estate agent Mr. Roper used to sell the apartment complex.
During the 1980s, she lent her voice to episodes of The Flintstones Comedy Show and The Smurfs, in addition to guest roles on CHiPs, The Love Boat, and Charles in Charge. From 1988 to 1989, Lee had 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 Bev Harris (Estelle Parsons) whose character disclosed she was gay.[4]
In 2006, Ruta Lee received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contributions to the television industry.[5]
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.[3] In October 2010, Lee played the role of Miss Mona in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, also at the Casa Mañana Theatre.[6] She had previously played the role there in 1982.[citation needed] Recently, she has agreed to do a small guest appearance on the long-running American soap opera Days of Our Lives. She will appear on the show in early 2012.
[edit] Personal life
In 1976, Lee married Texas restaurant executive Webster B. "Webb" Lowe, Jr.[2] They divide their time between their homes in Hollywood, Palm Springs, Fort Worth and Mexico.[7] She has no children.
[edit] Off-camera
In 1964, Lee called then-Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, asking him to pardon her grandmother Ludvise Kamandulis,[2] who had been in an internment camp in Siberia since World War II.[3] The pardon was granted, and Lee's grandmother came to live with her in California in 1966.[2] Kamandulis died two years later.[8] 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.[9]
Lee has been involved with the charitable organization "The Thalians" for over fifty years.[2] 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 throughout those five decades.[10] In 2011, She stepped down after 55 years of involvement with the Thalians, and is now an emeritus member.
[edit] Selected film and television credits
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Science Fiction Theatre | Student | Episode: "The Unexplored" |
| 1957 | Maverick | Ellen Bordeen | Episode: "Comstock Conspiracy" |
| 1957 | Highway Patrol | Lea Franklin | Episode: "Armored Car" |
| 1958 | Sugarfoot | Lucy Barron | Episode: "The Dead Hills" |
| 1958 | December Bride | Carol Hodges | Episode: "Bride's Father-in-Law" |
| 1959 | Peter Gunn | Marie Gipson | Episode: "Edie Finds a Corpse" |
| 1959 | The Millionaire | Angela Temple | Episode: "Millionaire Angela Temple" |
| 1959 | Whirlybirds | Ginny | Episode: "Mr. Jinx" |
| 1960 | Shotgun Slade | Lilly Cody | Episode: "Killer's Brand" |
| 1961 | Dante | Peggy Braddock | Episode: "Dante's Fickle Fate" |
| 1961 | Zane Grey Theater | Jenny Aldrich | Episode: "Man from Everywhere" |
| 1961 | Laramie | Opal | Episode: "Siege at Jubilee" |
| 1962 | Cheyenne | Lenore Walton | Episode: "Wanted for the Murder of Cheyenne Bodie" |
| 1963 | The Andy Griffith Show | Jean Boswell | Episode: "Andy on Trial" |
| 1963 | Bonanza | Rita Marlow | Episode: "A Woman Lost" |
| 1963 | Arrest and Trial | Colleen Riley | Episode: "Call It a Lifetime" |
| 1963 | The Twilight Zone | Flora Gordon | Episode: "A Short Drink From a Certain Fountain" |
| 1963 | Temple Houston | Lucy Tolliver | Episode: "Enough Rope" |
| 1964 | The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters | Zoe Pigalle | Episode: "The Day of the Lame Duck" |
| 1964 | The Fugitive | Mrs. Janet Loring | Episode: "Angels Travel on Lonely Roads: Part 2" |
| 1964 | The Virginian | Jane Carlyle | Episode: "The Girl from Yesterday" |
| 1964 | The Virginian | Judith Holly | Episode: "The Long Quest" |
| 1965 | Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. | Gloria Morgan | Episode: "Gomer Dates a Movie Star" |
| 1967 | Judd, for the Defense | Alida Nye | Episode: "To Love and Stand Mute" |
| 1967 | Mannix | Jean Coleman | Episode: "Run, Sheep, Run" |
| 1967 | Hogan's Heroes | Suzette Lechay | Episode: "Hogan and the Lady Doctor" |
| 1968 | Ironside | Marian | Episode: "To Kill a Cop" |
| 1969 | The Guns of Will Sonnett | Fan | Episode: "Trail's End" |
| 1969 | 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?" |
| 1997 | Roseanne | Joyce | |
| 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 |
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f Schwartz, Harry (June 3, 1998). – "Asian slaw proves a treat for Ruta Lee". – Tulsa World. – Retrieved on 2009-06-22.
- ^ a b c d e f g The Private Life & Times of Ruta Lee. – GlamourGirlsOfTheSilverScreen.com.
- ^ a b c Lowry, Mark (2008-02-10). "Homecoming Queen". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. http://origin.dfw.com/mld/dfw/entertainment/performing_arts/18327759.htm?source=rss&channel=dfw_performing_arts. Retrieved 2008-03-28.
- ^ Christine, Sparta (2003-03-11). "Emergence from the closet". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/2002/2002-03-11-coming-out-timeline.htm. Retrieved 2008-03-28.
- ^ "Ruta Lee gets star on Hollywood Walk". USA Today. 2006-10-11. http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-10-11-ruta-lee_x.htm. Retrieved 2008-03-28.
- ^ "News". rutalee.com. http://www.rutalee.com/news.html. Retrieved 2010-10-25.
- ^ Ruta Lee official biography
- ^ Gekko, Joann (1986-08-15). "Oldest Active Military Officer in US Retires". The Fresno Bee.
- ^ Mastick, Spencer (1987-10-16). "Actress Gets Her Cousin Out of Soviet Union". The Fresno Bee.
- ^ "Going For the Gold...51st Anniversary Ball of the Thalians". lastylewatch.com. 2006-10-07. http://www.lastylewatch.com/THALIANSball2006.html.
[edit] External links
- 1936 births
- Living people
- People from Montreal
- Canadian dancers
- Canadian expatriate actors in the United States
- Canadian film actors
- Canadian people of Lithuanian descent
- Canadian stage actors
- Canadian television actors
- Game show models
- Hollywood High School alumni
- Los Angeles City College alumni
- University of California, Los Angeles alumni
