Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Ruth Donnelly (May 17, 1896 – November 17, 1982) was an American stage and film actress. Her father was the mayor of Trenton, New Jersey. She began her stage career at the age of 17 in 1913, in The Quaker Girl. 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). 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.
Acted in 85
1950s
- 1957
The Way to the Gold
Mrs. Williams
- 1956
Autumn Leaves
Liz Eckhart
- 1955
The Spoilers
Duchess
- 1952
- 1951
The Wild Blue Yonder
Maj. Ida Winton
I'd Climb the Highest Mountain
Glory White
- 1950
1940s
- 1948
Fighting Father Dunne
Kate Mulvey
- 1947
The Ghost Goes Wild
Aunt Susan Beecher
Little Miss Broadway
Minerva Van Dorn
Millie's Daughter
Helen Reilly
- 1946
Cross My Heart
Eve Harper
Cinderella Jones
Cora Elliot
- 1945
Pillow to Post
Mrs. Grace Wingate
- 1943
Sleepy Lagoon
Sarah Rogers
This Is the Army
Mrs. O'Brien
- 1942
Johnny Doughboy
Biggy Biggsworth
- 1941
Rise and Shine
Mame Bacon
Sailors on Leave
Aunt Navy
The Gay Vagabond
Kate Dixon
Model Wife
Mrs. Milo Everett
The Roundup
Polly Hope
- 1940
Meet the Missus
Lil Higgins
Scatterbrain
Miss Stevens
My Little Chickadee
Aunt Lou
1930s
- 1939
The Amazing Mr. Williams
Effie Perkins
The Family Next Door
Mrs. Rose Pierce
- 1938
Annabel Takes a Tour
Josephine
Meet the Girls
Daisy Watson
The Affairs of Annabel
Josephine
Personal Secretary
Grumpy
Army Girl
Leila Kennett
- 1937
Portia on Trial
Jane Wilkins
Roaring Timber
Aunt Mary
- 1936
More Than a Secretary
Helen Davis
Cain and Mabel
Aunt Mimi
Fatal Lady
Melba York
13 Hours by Air
Vi Johnson
Song and Dance Man
Patsy O'Madigan
- 1935
Personal Maid's Secret
Lizzie
Hands Across the Table
Laura
Red Salute
Mrs. Edith Rooney
Alibi Ike
Bess
Traveling Saleslady
Mrs. Twitchell
The White Cockatoo
Mrs. Byng
Maybe It's Love
Florrie Sands
- 1934
Happiness Ahead
Anna
Romance in the Rain
Miss Sparks
Merry Wives of Reno
Lois
Heat Lightning
Mrs. Ashton-Ashley
Mandalay
Mrs. George Peters
- 1933
Convention City
Mrs. Ellerbe
Havana Widows
Mrs. Emily Jones
Female
Miss Frothingham
Ever in My Heart
Lizzie
Bureau of Missing Persons
Gwendolyn 'Pete' Harris
Goodbye Again
Richview Hotel Maid
Lilly Turner
Edna Yokum
Employees' Entrance
Miss Hall, Anderson's secretary
Hard to Handle
Lil Waters
Just Around the Corner
Mrs. Sears
- 1932
Blessed Event
Miss Stevens
Jewel Robbery
Berta, Teri's Maid (uncredited)
Make Me a Star
The Countess
The Rainbow Trail
Widow Abigail
- 1931
Wicked
Fanny
The Spider
Mrs. Wimbledon
1920s
- 1927
Rubber Heels
Fanny Pratt
Appearances3
1980s
- 1983
Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
1940s
- 1944
Breakdowns of 1944
Self
1930s
- 1936
Behind the Scenes of Cain and Mabel
Self