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 Ruth Roland was, along with Pearl White, the queen of the early movie serials. She came from a show-business family, her father being a San Francisco theater manager and her mother a professional singer. Ruth made her acting debut at age 3-1/2, and soon became a professional actress and singer. Her parents divorced, then her mother died when Ruth was eight and she went to live with an aunt in Los Angeles, where she soon had her own vaudeville act. It was there she was spotted by a director for Kalem Studios. His offer of a movie career was quickly accepted, and she made her film debut in 1911. She made every kind of film for the studio, but was especially good in westerns and comedies. In 1915 she left Kalem for Balboa Pictures, and appeared in her first serial there the same year. She proved so popular that she was able to form her own production company, and over the next several years appeared in 11 serials, each one cementing her popularity. However, by 1923 she decided she had had enough and didn't renew her contract (she didn't need the money, as over the years she had become an astute businesswoman and real estate investor and amassed a fortune). She went back to vaudeville, and spent the next few years on the stage, with a film or two along the way. When sound came to motion pictures in 1929 she decided to try that medium, but the film she made, Reno (1930), was not successful, and she retired from the screen after one more film in 1935.
Bio:
Ruth Roland was, along with Pearl White, the queen of the early movie serials. She came from a show-business family, her father being a San Francisco theater manager and her mother a professional singer. Ruth made her acting debut at age 3-1/2, and soon became a professional actress and singer. Her parents divorced, then her mother died when Ruth was eight and she went to live with an aunt in Los Angeles, where she soon had her own vaudeville act. It was there she was spotted by a director for Kalem Studios. His offer of a movie career was quickly accepted, and she made her film debut in 1911. She made every kind of film for the studio, but was especially good in westerns and comedies. In 1915 she left Kalem for Balboa Pictures, and appeared in her first serial there the same year. She proved so popular that she was able to form her own production company, and over the next several years appeared in 11 serials, each one cementing her popularity. However, by 1923 she decided she had had enough and didn't renew her contract (she didn't need the money, as over the years she had become an astute businesswoman and real estate investor and amassed a fortune). She went back to vaudeville, and spent the next few years on the stage, with a film or two along the way. When sound came to motion pictures in 1929 she decided to try that medium, but the film she made, Reno (1930), was not successful, and she retired from the screen after one more film in 1935.
Tivia:
On April 17, 1933, her car was burgled in Hollywood. Among the items stolen were two dresses, a fur scarf and several children's Easter gifts. The value of the stolen items was roughly $382.Hollywood: Saturday, September 25, 1937 - Funeral services were held here yesterday (Friday, September 24, 1937) for Ruth Roland, star of movie serials in the silent film days, at the Wee Kirk o' the Heather. Genevieve Smith, who presided at the rites for Jean Harlow, conducted the services. W.S. Van Dyke, film director, delivered the eulogy. Three musical numbers were played by David Rubinoff and Salvatore Santelle, with song solos by Donald Novis. Pallbearers were Sid Grauman, Joseph Breen, Robert Z. Leonard, Clarence Hutson, Bartley Hezvrun, Harry Zepner and Los Angeles District Attorney Buron Fitts. The body was placed in a crypt beside that of Miss Roland's mother, Mrs. Lillian Elizabeth Roland.Her personal collection of her own films was donated to the UCLA Film & Television Archive in March 1980.Buried in the same dress she wore at her wedding to Ben Bard nine years earlier.As a child star in stock and vaudeville she toured for five years under the name "Baby Ruth".Honorary pallbearers at her funeral on September 24, 1937, included Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor, Irving Cummings, Joe E. Brown and George E. Stone.In October 1934 she sued Billie Dove and her husband, Robert Kenaston, for $10,000 in damages after the couple's dogs attacked her. It appears that the suit was settled out of court.Gilbert Roland derived his screen name from his two favourite movie stars--Roland and John Gilbert.She was the heroine of many serials,. |
| Name: |
Ruth Roland |
Type: |
Actress,Producer,Director (IMDB) |
| Area: |
All World |
Platform: |
IMDB |
| Category: |
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Business scope: |
Actress,Producer,Director |
| Products for sale: |
Actress,Producer,Director |
| Last update: |
2024-07-03 01:59:30 |
| Height: |
5' 4' (1.63 m) |
| Biography: |
Ruth Roland was, along with Pearl White, the queen of the early movie serials. She came from a show-business family, her father being a San Francisco theater manager and her mother a professional singer. Ruth made her acting debut at age 3-1/2, and s |
| Trivia: |
On April 17, 1933, her car was burgled in Hollywood. Among the items stolen were two dresses, a fur scarf and several children's Easter gifts. The value of the stolen items was roughly $382.Hollywood: Saturday, September 25, 1937 - Funeral services were held here yesterday (Friday, September 24, 1937) for Ruth Roland, star of movie serials in the silent film days, at the Wee Kirk o' the Heather. Genevieve Smith, who presided at the rites for Jean Harlow, conducted the services. W.S. Van Dyke, film director, delivered the eulogy. Three musical numbers were played by David Rubinoff and Salvatore Santelle, with song solos by Donald Novis. Pallbearers were Sid Grauman, Joseph Breen, Robert Z. Leonard, Clarence Hutson, Bartley Hezvrun, Harry Zepner and Los Angeles District Attorney Buron Fitts. The body was placed in a crypt beside that of Miss Roland's mother, Mrs. Lillian Elizabeth Roland.Her personal collection of her own films was donated to the UCLA Film & Television Archive in March 1980.Buried in the same dress she wore at her wedding to Ben Bard nine years earlier.As a child star in stock and vaudeville she toured for five years under the name "Baby Ruth".Honorary pallbearers at her funeral on September 24, 1937, included Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor, Irving Cummings, Joe E. Brown and George E. Stone.In October 1934 she sued Billie Dove and her husband, Robert Kenaston, for $10,000 in damages after the couple's dogs attacked her. It appears that the suit was settled out of court.Gilbert Roland derived his screen name from his two favourite movie stars--Roland and John Gilbert.She was the heroine of many serials,. |
| Quotes: |
Unless audiences look on you as an old friend, they won't get half the thrill out of seeing you in danger. |
| Salaries: |
The Old Soldier's Story (1909) - $25 /week |
| Job title: |
Actress,Producer,Director |
| Others works: |
(March 21, 1925) Late-night (11 p.m. to 2 a.m. time slot) radio talk show: "Hollywood Nights" on KNX in Hollywood - Guest |
| Spouse: |
Ben Bard (1929 - September 22, 1937) (her death)Lionel T. Kent (May 16, 1917 - 1919) |
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