
Ruth Donnelly
ActingAbout 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.
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.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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".




