Ruth Etting - Actor Profile

Ruth Etting

Acting
Updated: Apr 12, 2026
22Total Films
7.0 Highest Rated
Born: Nov 22, 1896
Birth Place: David City, Nebraska, USA

About Ruth Etting

From Wikipedia Ruth Etting (November 23, 1896 – September 24, 1978) was an American singing star and actress of the 1920s and 1930s, who had over 60 hit recordings and worked in stage, radio, and film. She is known as "America's sweetheart of song". Her signature tunes were "Shine On, Harvest Moon", "Ten Cents a Dance" and "Love Me or Leave Me". Her other popular recordings included "Button Up Your Overcoat", "Mean to Me", "Exactly Like You" and "Shaking the Blues Away". In Hollywood, Etting made a long series of movie shorts between 1929 and 1936, and three feature movies in 1933 and 1934. In 1936, she appeared in London in Ray Henderson's Transatlantic Rhythm. Her life was the basis for the fictionalized 1955 film Love Me or Leave Me, which starred Doris Day (as Etting), James Cagney (as Snyder) and Cameron Mitchell (as Alderman). Etting, Myrl Alderman and Moe Snyder all sold their rights to the story to MGM. Shortly before her death, Etting said she thought the screen portrayal of her was too tough and that Jane Powell would have been a better choice for the lead. For her work in films, Etting has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame located on the north side of the 6500 block of Hollywood Boulevard.

Ruth Etting Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Ruth Etting reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 22 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

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

Success Ratio

Approximately 14% of Ruth Etting'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 An Old Spanish Onion, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Ruth Etting Movies Ranked

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

Full Filmography

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

Ruth Etting - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Ruth Etting?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Ruth Etting is "An Old Spanish Onion" with a rating of 7.0/10.

How many movies has Ruth Etting acted in?

Ruth Etting has been featured in at least 22 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Ruth Etting?

Other notable films include "I Know Everybody and Everybody's Racket", "Hips, Hips, Hooray!", and "A Regular Trouper".

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