Ruth Gordon's journey in the entertainment industry began when she persuaded her father, a seasoned sea captain, to support her aspirations to become an actress. This marked the start of her remarkable career, as she made her way to New York to study at the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Her early years in the industry were marked by her performances in a few silent films produced at Fort Lee, New Jersey, in 1915. Shortly after, she made her Broadway debut in the iconic production of "Peter Pan" as Nibs, a role that would set the tone for her illustrious stage career.
For the next two decades, Ruth Gordon dedicated herself to the world of theatre, earning critical acclaim and recognition for her performances. One of the highlights of this period was her appearance at the renowned Old Vic in London in the successful production of "The Country Wife" in 1936.
After nearly 25 years since her film debut, Ruth Gordon made a triumphant return to the big screen in the early 1940s. Her most memorable role during this period was as Mary Todd in the critically acclaimed film "Abe Lincoln in Illinois" (1940).
Ruth Gordon then left the glamour of Hollywood behind to return to her first love – theatre. Back in New York, she married the esteemed playwright and director Garson Kanin in 1942. Her first husband, Gregory Kelly, a stage actor, had passed away in 1927.
During this period, Ruth Gordon began to focus on her writing, penning plays and collaborating with her husband on screenplays for the likes of Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy. The screen relationship between the latter two was reportedly modeled on the happy marriage of Ruth and Garson Kanin.
Ruth Gordon's return to film acting in the 1960s marked the beginning of a new era in her career, as she became a household name with memorable roles in films such as "Rosemary's Baby" (1968) and "Harold and Maude" (1971).
In addition to her work in film, Ruth Gordon also wrote several books during the mid-1970s and made appearances on television. Her remarkable career culminated in her winning an Emmy Award for her role on the popular television series "Taxi" in 1979.
