Elana Eden

Elana Eden, a stunning and gifted Israeli Jew of Polish-Russian heritage, had already solidified her position as a theatrical icon in her native land prior to achieving stardom in Hollywood. Among the five finalists vying for the coveted role of Anne Frank in the 1959 cinematic adaptation of The Diary of Anne Frank, Eden ultimately fell short of securing the part, as Millie Perkins was ultimately chosen for the role. However, her impressive screen presence and undeniable talent did not go unnoticed, and when it came time to cast the title character in 20th Century Fox's next production, The Story of Ruth (1960),producer Samuel G. Engel and director Henry Koster were thoroughly captivated by Eden's screen test. This led to her being selected over a staggering 300 other actresses, of which only 29 were given the opportunity to audition, to play the biblical heroine Ruth. Eden delivered a nuanced and authentic performance as the titular character, earning her the distinction of being forever remembered as the screen's definitive Ruth.