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Ruth Gordon

Actor

Ruth Gordon

Born October 30, 1896 in Quincy, Massachusetts, USADied August 28, 198533 films

Ruth Gordon Jones (October 30, 1896 – August 28, 1985) was an American actress, screenwriter and playwright. Gordon began her career performing on Broadway at age nineteen. Known for her nasal voice and distinctive personality, she gained international recognition and critical acclaim for film roles that continued into her seventies and eighties. Her later work included performances in Rosemary's Baby (1968), Where's Poppa? (1970), Harold and Maude (1971), Every Which Way but Loose (1978) and Any Which Way You Can (1980).

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In addition to her acting career, Gordon wrote numerous plays, film scripts, and books, most notably co-writing the screenplay for the 1949 film Adam's Rib. Gordon won an Oscar, an Emmy, and two Golden Globe Awards for her acting, as well as received three Academy Award nominations for her writing.

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The best way into Ruth Gordon's work
Rosemary's Baby posterFirst watchRosemary's Baby19687.8as Minnie CastevetA young couple, Rosemary and Guy, moves into an infamous New York apartment building, known by frightening legends and mysterious events, with the purpose of starting a family.View film

Essential films

Ranked by acclaim and reach

Filmography

33 films as actor
  1. 1987The Trouble with SpiesMrs. Arkwright
  2. 1985MaxieMrs. Lavin
  3. 1984The Secret World of the Very YoungMary
  4. 1984Delta PiMugsy
  5. 1984Voyage of the Rock AliensThe Sheriff
  6. 1982Don't Go to SleepBernice
  7. 1982Jimmy the KidBernice
  8. 1980Any Which Way You CanMa Boggs
  9. 1980My BodyguardGramma
  10. 1980Hardhat & LegsGrandmother
  11. 1979Scavenger HuntArvilla Droll
  12. 1979BoardwalkBecky Rosen
  13. 1978Every Which Way but LooseMa Boggs
  14. 1978Perfect GentlemenMs. Cavagarno
  15. 1977The Prince of Central ParkMrs. Miller
  16. 1976Look What's Happened to Rosemary's BabyMinnie Castevet
  17. 1976The Great HoudinisCecilia Weiss
  18. 1976The Big BusOld Lady
  19. 1973Isn't It Shocking?Marge Savage
  20. 1971Harold and MaudeMaude
  21. 1970Where’s Poppa?Mrs. Hocheiser
  22. 1969What Ever Happened to Aunt Alice?Mrs Dimmock
  23. 1968Rosemary's BabyMinnie Castevet
  24. 1966Blithe SpiritMadame Arcati
  25. 1966Lord Love a DuckStella Bernard
  26. 1966Inside Daisy CloverThe Dealer - Mrs. Clover
  27. 1954The MatchmakerMrs. Levi
  28. 1943Action in the North AtlanticMrs. Sarah Jarvis
  29. 1943Edge of DarknessAnna Stensgard
  30. 1941Two-Faced WomanRuth Ellis
  31. 1940Dr. Ehrlich's Magic BulletMrs. Ehrlich
  32. 1940Abe Lincoln in IllinoisMary Todd Lincoln
  33. 1915The Whirl of LifeDancer