
Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Born
May 17, 1896
Died
November 17, 1982 (age 86)
Place of Birth
North Trenton - New Jersey - USA
Ruth Donnelly
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.
Known For

TV
Cavalcade of America
Ma Dolan
1952

Film
Wonder Bar
Emma Simpson
1934

Film
Convention City
Mrs. Ellerbe
1933

Film
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Emma Hopper
1939

Film
A Lawless Street
Molly Higgins
1955

Film
The Snake Pit
Ruth
1948

Film
Scatterbrain
Miss Stevens
1940

Film
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town
Mabel Dawson
1936

Film
Employees' Entrance
Miss Hall, Anderson's secretary
1933

Film
Footlight Parade
Mrs. Harriet Gould
1933

Film
The Bells of St. Mary's
Sister Michael
1945

Film
The Spoilers
Duchess
1955

Film
Army Girl
Leila Kennett
1938

Film
Goodbye Again
Richview Hotel Maid
1933

Film
Where the Sidewalk Ends
Martha
1950

Film
Housewife
Dora Wilson
1934

Film
Happiness Ahead
Anna
1934

Film
Jewel Robbery
Berta, Teri's Maid (uncredited)
1932

Film
Alibi Ike
Bess
1935

Film
Rubber Heels
Fanny Pratt
1927
Filmography
1983FilmHollywood Out-takes and Rare Footageas Self (archive footage) (uncredited)1957FilmThe Way to the Goldas Mrs. Williams1956FilmAutumn Leavesas Liz Eckhart1955FilmThe Spoilersas Duchess1955FilmA Lawless Streetas Molly Higgins1952TVCavalcade of Americaas Ma Dolan1951FilmThe Wild Blue Yonderas Maj. Ida Winton1951FilmThe Secret of Convict Lakeas Mary Fancher1951FilmI'd Climb the Highest Mountainas Glory White1950FilmWhere the Sidewalk Endsas Martha1948FilmThe Snake Pitas Ruth1948FilmFighting Father Dunneas Kate Mulvey1947FilmThe Fabulous Texanas Utopia Mills1947FilmThe Ghost Goes Wildas Aunt Susan Beecher1947FilmLittle Miss Broadwayas Minerva Van Dorn1947FilmMillie's Daughteras Helen Reilly1946FilmCross My Heartas Eve Harper1946FilmIn Old Sacramentoas Zebby Booker1946FilmCinderella Jonesas Cora Elliot1945FilmThe Bells of St. Mary'sas Sister Michael1945FilmPillow to Postas Mrs. Grace Wingate1944FilmBreakdowns of 1944as Self1943FilmThank Your Lucky Starsas Nurse Hamilton1943FilmSleepy Lagoonas Sarah Rogers1943FilmThis Is the Armyas Mrs. O'Brien1942FilmJohnny Doughboyas Biggy Biggsworth1941FilmRise and Shineas Mame Bacon1941FilmYou Belong to Meas Emma1941FilmSailors on Leaveas Aunt Navy1941FilmThe Gay Vagabondas Kate Dixon1941FilmModel Wifeas Mrs. Milo Everett1941FilmThe Roundupas Polly Hope1941FilmPetticoat Politicsas Lil Higgins1940FilmMeet the Missusas Lil Higgins1940FilmScatterbrainas Miss Stevens1940FilmMy Little Chickadeeas Aunt Lou1939FilmThe Amazing Mr. Williamsas Effie Perkins1939FilmMr. Smith Goes to Washingtonas Emma Hopper1939FilmThe Family Next Dooras Mrs. Rose Pierce1938FilmAnnabel Takes a Touras Josephine1938FilmMeet the Girlsas Daisy Watson1938FilmThe Affairs of Annabelas Josephine1938FilmPersonal Secretaryas Grumpy1938FilmArmy Girlas Leila Kennett1938FilmA Slight Case of Murderas Nora Marko1937FilmPortia on Trialas Jane Wilkins1937FilmRoaring Timberas Aunt Mary1936FilmMore Than a Secretaryas Helen Davis1936FilmCain and Mabelas Aunt Mimi1936FilmFatal Ladyas Melba York1936Film13 Hours by Airas Vi Johnson1936FilmMr. Deeds Goes to Townas Mabel Dawson1936FilmSong and Dance Manas Patsy O'Madigan1936FilmBehind the Scenes of Cain and Mabelas Self1935FilmPersonal Maid's Secretas Lizzie1935FilmHands Across the Tableas Laura1935FilmRed Saluteas Mrs. Edith Rooney1935FilmAlibi Ikeas Bess1935FilmTraveling Salesladyas Mrs. Twitchell1935FilmThe White Cockatooas Mrs. Byng1935FilmMaybe It's Loveas Florrie Sands1934FilmHappiness Aheadas Anna1934FilmRomance in the Rainas Miss Sparks1934FilmHousewifeas Dora Wilson1934FilmMerry Wives of Renoas Lois1934FilmWonder Baras Emma Simpson1934FilmHeat Lightningas Mrs. Ashton-Ashley1934FilmMandalayas Mrs. George Peters1933FilmConvention Cityas Mrs. Ellerbe1933FilmHavana Widowsas Mrs. Emily Jones1933FilmFemaleas Miss Frothingham1933FilmEver in My Heartas Lizzie1933FilmFootlight Paradeas Mrs. Harriet Gould1933FilmBureau of Missing Personsas Gwendolyn 'Pete' Harris1933FilmGoodbye Againas Richview Hotel Maid1933FilmSing, Sinner, Singas Margaret 'Maggie' Flannigan1933FilmHow to Break 90 #6: Fine Pointsas Herself1933FilmPrivate Detective 62as Amy Moran1933FilmLilly Turneras Edna Yokum1933FilmEmployees' Entranceas Miss Hall, Anderson's secretary1933FilmLadies They Talk Aboutas Noonan1933FilmHard to Handleas Lil Waters1933FilmJust Around the Corneras Mrs. Sears1932FilmBlessed Eventas Miss Stevens1932FilmJewel Robberyas Berta, Teri's Maid (uncredited)1932FilmMake Me a Staras The Countess1932FilmThe Rainbow Trailas Widow Abigail1931FilmWickedas Fanny1931FilmThe Spideras Mrs. Wimbledon1927FilmRubber Heelsas Fanny Pratt