Ruth Gordon, it is hard to believe, was born two centuries ago. It was 1896. Even as an infant, she advertised food for children with her lovely face. Her understanding father enrolled her in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (remember it was the beginning of the 20th century). She started her career in 1915. She was then 19 years old. She started out as an extra on silent movies and Broadway. She appeared on the stage as one of the missing boys in the adaptation of the fantastic novel for children, Peter Pan, and immediately gained critical acclaim.
She played with Gregory Kelly in the play Seventeen . Three years later, in 1921, the couple got married. After a few years, the actor died, and two years later, Ruth gave birth to the well-known Broadway producer Jed Harris. They raised their son together, although they never got married. Gordon did not even think about abandoning her acting career. She played supporting roles and performed on the stage. In 1942, she married the writer Garson Kanin. Together they made a very harmonious duo of screenwriters. They collaborated with George Cukor on the films Pat and Mike, Double Life and the famous Rib Adam a. For each of them, Ruth Gordon was nominated for an Oscar. She won the Golden Globe and another nomination for the Dark Side of Fame .
But we remember her today because she took her one and only Oscar for Rosemary’s Baby . It’s a classic of cinema and psychological horror. There is no need to mention the plot, everyone knows it for sure. Let us just add that our today’s heroine played a diabolical neighbor, Mrs. Minnie Castevet, who professes the cult of Satan.
Ruth Gordon said at the Oscars:
My first appearance in any movie was in 1915. And now it’s 1969. And I don’t know why it took me so long, although I don’t think I’m backward. (…) Thank you to everyone who voted for me, and everyone who did not vote – you have to forgive me.
It aroused great applause and sincere laughter from the audience. She was known for her sense of humor, class and passion for life, as well as for great scripts and excellent roles.
She was extremely lively and hardworking. Until the end of her life (she was 88), she acted in films and wrote plays. As her second husband claims, even on the last day she did what she loved. May we be given the same!
