Ruth Hussey | |
|---|---|
 Hussey in 1940 | |
| Born | Ruth Carol Hussey (1911-10-30)October 30, 1911 Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. |
| Died | April 19, 2005(2005-04-19) (aged 93) Newbury Park, California, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Pembroke College in Brown University University of Michigan |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1937–1973 |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3; includingJohn Longenecker |
Ruth Carol Hussey (October 30, 1911 – April 19, 2005)[1][2] was an American actress best known for herAcademy Award-nominated role as photographer Elizabeth Imbrie inThe Philadelphia Story.
Hussey was born inProvidence, Rhode Island on October 30, 1911. She was later known asRuth Carol O'Rourke, her stepfather's surname.[3][4] Her father, George R. Hussey, died of theSpanish flu in 1918 when she was seven years old. Ten years later, her mother, Julia Corbett Hussey,[5] married a family friend, William O'Rourke, who had worked at the family's mail-order silver enterprise.[6] She had an older brother, Robert, and a younger sister, Betty.[6]
After receiving her early education in Providence public schools, Hussey studied art atPembroke College[7] and graduated in 1936. She did not win roles for any of the plays for which she had auditioned at Pembroke. She received a degree in theatre from theUniversity of Michigan[8] and worked as an actress with asummer-stock company in Michigan for two seasons.[9] She also attended Boston Business College.[10]
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After working as an actress in summer stock, Hussey returned to Providence and was a fashion commentator on a local radio station.[11] She wrote ad copy for a local clothing store and read it on the radio each afternoon. She was encouraged by a friend to audition for acting roles at the Providence Playhouse, but the theater director rejected her, saying that the roles were cast only out of New York City. Later that week, she traveled to New York, and on her first day there, she signed with a talent agent who booked her for a role in a play starting the next day at the Providence Playhouse.[citation needed]
In New York, she worked for a time as a model, then landed a number of stage roles with touring companies. While touring the country in 1937 withDead End, Hussey was spotted on opening night at theBiltmore Hotel in Los Angeles byMGM talent scout Billy Grady. MGM signed her to a contract and she made her film debut later that year. She quickly became a leading lady in MGM's "B" unit, usually playing sophisticated, worldly roles.
Hussey's breakout role was as Elizabeth Imbrie, the cynical magazine photographer inThe Philadelphia Story (1940), for which she was nominated for anAcademy Award forBest Actress in a Supporting Role.[4] In 1941, theater exhibitors voted her the third-most-popular new star in Hollywood.[12]
Hussey worked withRobert Taylor inFlight Command (1940),Robert Young inNorthwest Passage (1940) andH. M. Pulham, Esq. (1941),Van Heflin inTennessee Johnson (1942),Ray Milland inThe Uninvited (1944) andAlan Ladd inThe Great Gatsby (1949).
In 1946, Hussey starred on Broadway in the Pulitzer Prize-winning playState of the Union.[10] Her 1949 role inGoodbye, My Fancy on Broadway caused aBillboard reviewer to write: "Miss Hussey brings a splendid aliveness and warmth to the lovely congresswoman...."[13]
Hussey playedJean Arthur's role of Miriam Starrett in the 1955Lux Radio Theater presentation ofShane, playing alongside the film’s original stars Ladd and Heflin.
In 1960, she co-starred inThe Facts of Life withBob Hope andLucille Ball. Hussey was also active in early television drama.
On August 9, 1942, Hussey married talent agent and radio producer C. Robert "Bob" Longenecker (1909–2002) atMission San Antonio de Pala in north San Diego County, California. They raised three children: George Longenecker (b. 1944),[14]John Longenecker (b. 1947)[15] and Mary Elizabeth Longenecker (b. July 17, 1953).[16]
Following the birth of her children, Hussey focused on family activities and in 1964, she designed a family cabin in the mountain community ofLake Arrowhead, California. In 1967, she was inducted into theRhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame.[17]
In 1977, Hussey and her husband moved from theirBrentwood family home to Rancho Carlsbad inCarlsbad, California. Her husband died in 2002 shortly after their 60th wedding anniversary.[citation needed]
Her son John Longenecker worked as a cinematographer and film director. He won an Academy Award for producing the live-action short filmThe Resurrection of Broncho Billy (1970).
Hussey was also active inCatholic charities,[18] was noted for painting inwatercolors[18] and was a lifelongDemocrat[19] although she voted forRepublicanThomas Dewey in 1944[20] and for Hollywood friend and former costarRonald Reagan in the 1980 and 1984 presidential elections.[citation needed]
Hussey died on April 19, 2005,[4] at the age of 93 from complications from anappendectomy.[21] She is interred at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park in Westlake Village, California.[22]
| Year | Program | Episode/source |
|---|---|---|
| 1943 | The Screen Guild Theater | "Tennessee Johnson"[23] |
| 1949 | Hallmark Playhouse | "Parnassus on Wheels"[24] |
| 1952 | Family Theater | "Vacation for Mom"[25] |
| 1952 | Hollywood Star Playhouse | "All Brides Are Beautiful"[26] |
| 1953 | Family Theater | "Namgay Doola"[27] |
