Ruth Donnelly - Actor Profile

Ruth Donnelly

Acting
Updated: Apr 12, 2026
50Total Films
8.0 Highest Rated
Born: May 17, 1896
Birth Place: North Trenton - New Jersey - USA

About 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.

Ruth Donnelly Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Ruth Donnelly reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of Ruth Donnelly's work falls within the Comedy genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 36% of Ruth Donnelly's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains The Roundup, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Ruth Donnelly Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Ruth Donnelly's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie Ruth Donnelly has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
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".

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