Ruth Donnelly
ActingAbout Ruth Donnelly
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.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Ruth Donnelly reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Comedy
The majority of Ruth Donnelly's filmography leans towards the Comedy genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 36% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Ruth Donnelly remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Roundup, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Ruth Donnelly Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Ruth Donnelly's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Ruth Donnelly.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage | Self (archive footage) (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1956 | Autumn Leaves | Liz Eckhart | Hit | Similar → |
| 1951 | The Wild Blue Yonder | Maj. Ida Winton | Average | Similar → |
| 1951 | The Secret of Convict Lake | Mary Fancher | Hit | Similar → |
| 1951 | I'd Climb the Highest Mountain | Glory White | Hit | Similar → |
| 1950 | Where the Sidewalk Ends | Martha | Hit | Similar → |
| 1948 | The Snake Pit | Ruth | Hit | Similar → |
| 1948 | Fighting Father Dunne | Kate Mulvey | Average | Similar → |
| 1946 | In Old Sacramento | Zebby Booker | Average | Similar → |
| 1945 | The Bells of St. Mary's | Sister Michael | Hit | Similar → |
| 1944 | Breakdowns of 1944 | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | Thank Your Lucky Stars | Nurse Hamilton | Average | Similar → |
| 1943 | This Is the Army | Mrs. O'Brien | Average | Similar → |
| 1941 | Rise and Shine | Mame Bacon | Average | Similar → |
| 1941 | You Belong to Me | Emma | Average | Similar → |
| 1941 | The Roundup | Polly Hope | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | My Little Chickadee | Aunt Lou | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | The Amazing Mr. Williams | Effie Perkins | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | Mr. Smith Goes to Washington | Emma Hopper | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | Army Girl | Leila Kennett | Average | Similar → |
| 1938 | A Slight Case of Murder | Nora Marko | Average | Similar → |
| 1936 | More Than a Secretary | Helen Davis | Average | Similar → |
| 1936 | Cain and Mabel | Aunt Mimi | Average | Similar → |
| 1936 | Mr. Deeds Goes to Town | Mabel Dawson | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1936 | Behind the Scenes of Cain and Mabel | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 1935 | Personal Maid's Secret | Lizzie | Average | Similar → |
| 1935 | Hands Across the Table | Laura | Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | Red Salute | Mrs. Edith Rooney | Average | Similar → |
| 1935 | Alibi Ike | Bess | Average | Similar → |
| 1935 | Traveling Saleslady | Mrs. Twitchell | Average | Similar → |
| 1935 | The White Cockatoo | Mrs. Byng | Flop | Similar → |
| 1935 | Maybe It's Love | Florrie Sands | Average | Similar → |
| 1934 | Happiness Ahead | Anna | Average | Similar → |
| 1934 | Housewife | Dora Wilson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | Wonder Bar | Emma Simpson | Average | Similar → |
| 1934 | Heat Lightning | Mrs. Ashton-Ashley | Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | Mandalay | Mrs. George Peters | Average | Similar → |
| 1933 | Havana Widows | Mrs. Emily Jones | Average | Similar → |
| 1933 | Female | Miss Frothingham | Average | Similar → |
| 1933 | Footlight Parade | Mrs. Harriet Gould | Hit | Similar → |
| 1933 | Bureau of Missing Persons | Gwendolyn 'Pete' Harris | Average | Similar → |
| 1933 | Private Detective 62 | Amy Moran | Average | Similar → |
| 1933 | Employees' Entrance | Miss Hall, Anderson's secretary | Average | Similar → |
| 1933 | Ladies They Talk About | Noonan | Average | Similar → |
| 1933 | Hard to Handle | Lil Waters | Hit | Similar → |
| 1933 | Just Around the Corner | Mrs. Sears | Average | Similar → |
| 1932 | Blessed Event | Miss Stevens | Hit | Similar → |
| 1932 | Jewel Robbery | Berta, Teri's Maid (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1932 | Make Me a Star | The Countess | Average | Similar → |
| 1931 | The Spider | Mrs. Wimbledon | Average | Similar → |
Ruth Donnelly - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Ruth Donnelly?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Ruth Donnelly is "The Roundup" with a rating of 8.0/10.
How many movies has Ruth Donnelly acted in?
Ruth Donnelly has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Ruth Donnelly?
Other notable films include "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington", "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town", and "Where the Sidewalk Ends".