Ruth Gordon
Known for
Eccentric, witty and unmistakable, the American Ruth Gordon was an actress, playwright and screenwriter who debuted on Broadway at nineteen and sustained a career of astonishing vitality well into old age. In film she won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her witch neighbor in Roman Polanski's 'Rosemary's Baby', and shortly afterward became a cult icon with the free-spirited old woman of 'Harold and Maude'. As a writer she co-wrote with her husband Garson Kanin the screenplay of 'Adam's Rib', which earned her an Oscar nomination. Her nasal voice and sparkling personality made her memorable in comedies as varied as 'Every Which Way but Loose' alongside Clint Eastwood.
Ruth Gordon
26 Movies · 8 Series
Eccentric, witty and unmistakable, the American Ruth Gordon was an actress, playwright and screenwriter who debuted on Broadway at nineteen and sustained a career of astonishing vitality well into old age. In film she won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her witch neighbor in Roman Polanski's 'Rosemary's Baby', and shortly afterward became a cult icon with the free-spirited old woman of 'Harold and Maude'. As a writer she co-wrote with her husband Garson Kanin the screenplay of 'Adam's Rib', which earned her an Oscar nomination. Her nasal voice and sparkling personality made her memorable in comedies as varied as 'Every Which Way but Loose' alongside Clint Eastwood.
Movies
Plays Minnie Castevet
Rosemary's Baby
1968
Plays Maude
Harold and Maude
1971
Plays Ma Boggs
Every Which Way but Loose
1978
Plays Gramma
My Bodyguard
1980
Plays Ma Boggs
Any Which Way You Can
1980
Plays Becky Rosen
Boardwalk
1979
Plays Mrs. Hocheiser
Where’s Poppa?
1970
Plays Mrs. Sarah Jarvis
Action in the North Atlantic
1943
Plays The Sheriff
Voyage of the Rock Aliens
1984
Plays Old Lady
The Big Bus
1976
Plays Mary
The Secret World of the Very Young
1984
Plays Arvilla Droll
Scavenger Hunt
1979
Plays Anna Stensgard
Edge of Darkness
1943
Plays Mrs. Ehrlich
Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet
1940
Plays Mrs Dimmock
What Ever Happened to Aunt Alice?
1969
Plays The Dealer - Mrs. Clover
Inside Daisy Clover
1966
Plays Ruth Ellis
Two-Faced Woman
1941
Plays Stella Bernard
Lord Love a Duck
1966
Plays Mary Todd Lincoln
Abe Lincoln in Illinois
1940
Plays Mrs. Arkwright
The Trouble with Spies
1987
Plays Mugsy
Delta Pi
1984
Plays Mrs. Lavin
Maxie
1985
Plays Cecilia Weiss
The Great Houdinis
1976
Plays Bernice
Jimmy the Kid
1982
Latest Trailers
Watch Trailer
Maxie
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ruth Gordon still alive?
Ruth Gordon passed away on August 28, 1985 at age 88.
What are the most famous roles of Ruth Gordon?
Ruth Gordon is best known for roles in Rosemary's Baby, Harold and Maude, Every Which Way but Loose.
How many movies has Ruth Gordon been in?
Over a 70-year career (since 1915), Ruth Gordon has appeared in 26 movies and 8 TV shows.
What was Ruth Gordon's first movie?
The career of Ruth Gordon began with The Whirl of Life (1915).
What is Ruth Gordon's most recent movie or series?
Ruth Gordon's most recent release is The Trouble with Spies, which premiered on December 4, 1987.
What TV shows has Ruth Gordon appeared in?
On television, Ruth Gordon has appeared in Columbo, Saturday Night Live, The Love Boat, Taxi.
Ruth Gordon
1896-10-30 · Quincy, Massachusetts, USA
Ruth Gordon Jones (October 30, 1896 – August 28, 1985) was an American actress, screenwriter and playwright. Gordon began her career performing on Broadway at age nineteen. Known for her nasal voice and distinctive personality, she gained international recognition and critical acclaim for film roles that continued into her seventies and eighties. Her later work included performances in Rosemary's Baby (1968), Where's Poppa? (1970), Harold and Maude (1971), Every Which Way but Loose (1978) and Any Which Way You Can (1980).
In addition to her acting career, Gordon wrote numerous plays, film scripts, and books, most notably co-writing the screenplay for the 1949 film Adam's Rib. Gordon won an Oscar, an Emmy, and two Golden Globe Awards for her acting, as well as received three Academy Award nominations for her writing.