Ruth Donnelly - Actor Profile

Ruth Donnelly

Acting
Updated: May 14, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: May 17, 1896
Birth Place: North Trenton - New Jersey - USA

About Ruth Donnelly

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Ruth Donnelly (May 17, 1896 – November 17, 1982) was an American stage and film actress. Her father was the mayor of Trenton, New Jersey. She began her stage career at the age of 17 in 1913, in The Quaker Girl. Her Broadway debut brought her to the attention of George M. Cohan, who proceeded to cast her in numerous comic-relief roles in such musicals as Going Up (1917). Though she made her first film appearance in 1913, her Hollywood career began in earnest in 1931 and lasted until 1957. In her films she often played the wife of Guy Kibbee (Footlight Parade, Wonder Bar, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington). Among her roles was the part of Sister Michael in The Bells of St. Mary's, starring Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman.

Ruth Donnelly Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Ruth Donnelly reflects exceptional commercial consistency. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of Ruth Donnelly's work falls within the Comedy genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 94% of Ruth Donnelly's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Fatal Lady, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Ruth Donnelly Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Ruth Donnelly's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie Ruth Donnelly has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
1983 Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage Self (archive footage) (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1957 The Way to the Gold Mrs. Williams Super Hit Similar →
1956 Autumn Leaves Liz Eckhart Hit Similar →
1951 The Wild Blue Yonder Maj. Ida Winton Hit Similar →
1951 The Secret of Convict Lake Mary Fancher Hit Similar →
1951 I'd Climb the Highest Mountain Glory White Hit Similar →
1950 Where the Sidewalk Ends Martha Hit Similar →
1948 The Snake Pit Ruth Hit Similar →
1948 Fighting Father Dunne Kate Mulvey Hit Similar →
1947 The Fabulous Texan Utopia Mills Hit Similar →
1947 Little Miss Broadway Minerva Van Dorn Super Hit Similar →
1946 Cross My Heart Eve Harper Super Hit Similar →
1946 In Old Sacramento Zebby Booker Hit Similar →
1945 The Bells of St. Mary's Sister Michael Hit Similar →
1944 Breakdowns of 1944 Self Hit Similar →
1941 Rise and Shine Mame Bacon Hit Similar →
1941 Sailors on Leave Aunt Navy Super Hit Similar →
1941 The Gay Vagabond Kate Dixon Super Hit Similar →
1941 Model Wife Mrs. Milo Everett Hit Similar →
1941 The Roundup Polly Hope Super Hit Similar →
1941 Petticoat Politics Lil Higgins Super Hit Similar →
1940 Meet the Missus Lil Higgins Hit Similar →
1940 Scatterbrain Miss Stevens Super Hit Similar →
1940 My Little Chickadee Aunt Lou Hit Similar →
1939 Mr. Smith Goes to Washington Emma Hopper Super Hit Similar →
1938 Personal Secretary Grumpy Super Hit Similar →
1938 Army Girl Leila Kennett Hit Similar →
1938 A Slight Case of Murder Nora Marko Average Similar →
1936 More Than a Secretary Helen Davis Hit Similar →
1936 Cain and Mabel Aunt Mimi Average Similar →
1936 Fatal Lady Melba York Super Hit Similar →
1936 Mr. Deeds Goes to Town Mabel Dawson Super Hit Similar →
1936 Song and Dance Man Patsy O'Madigan Hit Similar →
1935 Personal Maid's Secret Lizzie Average Similar →
1935 Hands Across the Table Laura Hit Similar →
1935 Maybe It's Love Florrie Sands Hit Similar →
1934 Happiness Ahead Anna Hit Similar →
1934 Romance in the Rain Miss Sparks Super Hit Similar →
1934 Housewife Dora Wilson Hit Similar →
1934 Heat Lightning Mrs. Ashton-Ashley Hit Similar →
1933 Havana Widows Mrs. Emily Jones Hit Similar →
1933 Footlight Parade Mrs. Harriet Gould Hit Similar →
1933 Sing, Sinner, Sing Margaret 'Maggie' Flannigan Hit Similar →
1933 How to Break 90 #6: Fine Points Herself Super Hit Similar →
1933 Hard to Handle Lil Waters Hit Similar →
1932 Blessed Event Miss Stevens Hit Similar →
1932 Jewel Robbery Berta, Teri's Maid (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1932 The Rainbow Trail Widow Abigail Super Hit Similar →
1931 The Spider Mrs. Wimbledon Hit Similar →
1927 Rubber Heels Fanny Pratt Hit Similar →

Ruth Donnelly - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Ruth Donnelly?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Ruth Donnelly is "Fatal Lady" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Ruth Donnelly acted in?

Ruth Donnelly has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Ruth Donnelly?

Other notable films include "Petticoat Politics", "Cross My Heart", and "The Gay Vagabond".

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