Ruth McDevitt

Biography for Ruth McDevitt

Delightfully daffy and an apple dumpling of a darling, wizened character actress Ruth McDevitt was born Ruth Shoecraft in Michigan but raised in Ohio where her father served as a county sheriff. She attended the American Academy of Dramatic Art with designs of becoming an actress but married a Florida widower soon after and put full focus on being a wife. Her husband died in 1934 and, at age 40+, Ruth decided to dabble again with community theater productions which reignited her passion. She became a viable presence on Broadway and radio in the late 30s and 40s in both comedic and dramatic fare. Highlights on the stage included roles in "Picnic" and "The Solid Gold Cadillac." Her flair for eccentric comedy opened a huge door for the veteran player in the television and film worlds during the 50s and 60s as one of those faces you couldn't put a name to but instinctively knew. She drew attention as the mother of Wally Cox in the _"Mr. Peepers" (1952)_ series and later milked laughs as a gun totin', sharpshootin' granny in the comedy "Pistols 'n' Petticoats" (1966) starring Ann Sheridan. The series ended after only one season due to the 1967 death of Ms. Sheridan of cancer. Ruth decorated a number of fluffy film comedies as a befuddled, warble-voiced elderly in such fun as The Parent Trap (1961), The Shakiest Gun in the West (1968), Angel in My Pocket (1969) and Mame (1974). Ruth died of natural causes in 1976.

Actress between 1949 and 1976.

Ruth McDevitt is an American actress born January 15, 1895 in Macomb, Illinois, in the United States. She has played in many theater, cinema and television productions during her long career.

McDevitt made its debut in the world of theater in Chicago in the 1920s, before turning to cinema and moving to Hollywood in 1929. She played in many films from the 1930s and 1940s, especially in "The Cat and the canary "(1939) and" The Women "(1939). She was also playing with several Columbia Pictures productions, such as "The Invisible Man Returns" (1940) and "The Stranger" (1946).

McDevitt was also active in the 1950s and 1960s, playing in numerous series B films as well as in some television productions. She was one of the stars in the television series "The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin" in the 1950s, and also played in episodes of popular series like "Perry Mason" and "The Twilight Zone".

In addition to his work in the world of entertainment, McDevitt was also very active as a writer and speaker. She published a book on her experience as an actress, entitled "My Hollywood: Memories of A Golden Age", and gave conferences on the history of cinema and theater.

McDevitt died on December 22, 1976 at the age of 81. She left behind a rich career as an actress, and remained an important figure in the world of American entertainment for many years.

Photos

Filmography

Family

• Spouse : Patrick John McDevitt (191? - 1934) (his death)

Author of the card

• Creation date: 13/01/2008 by franckenstein