Ruth Gordon Jones (October , â€" August , ) was an American actress,
screenwriter, and playwright. Gordon began her career performing on
Broadway at age . Known for her nasal voice and distinctive
personality, she gained international recognition and critical acclaim
for film roles that continued into her s and s. Her later work
included performances in Rosemary's Baby (), Where's Poppa? (), Harold
and Maude (), Every Which Way but Loose (), and Any Which Way You Can
().In addition to her acting career, Gordon wrote numerous plays, film
scripts, and books, most notably co-writing the screenplay for the
film Adam's Rib. Gordon won an Oscar, a Primetime Emmy, and two Golden
Globe Awards for her acting, as well as received three Academy Award
nominations for her writing.Ruth Gordon Jones was born in Quincy,
Massachusetts, at Winthrop Avenue. She later resided at Marion
Street (-) and Elmwood Avenue (-). All three homes are in the
Wollaston section of town.She was the child of Annie Tapley (née
Ziegler) and Clinton Jones. Her only sibling was an older half-sister
Claire, from her father's first marriage. She was baptized an
Episcopalian. Her first appearance in the public eye came as an infant
when her photograph was used in advertising for her father's employer,
Mellin's Food for Infants and Invalids. Prior to graduating from
Quincy High School, she wrote to several of her favorite actresses
requesting autographed pictures. A personal reply from Hazel Dawn
(whom she had seen in a stage production of The Pink Lady) inspired
her to go into acting. Although her father was skeptical of her
chances of success in a difficult profession, in , he took his
daughter to New York, where he enrolled her in the American Academy of
Dramatic Arts.
screenwriter, and playwright. Gordon began her career performing on
Broadway at age . Known for her nasal voice and distinctive
personality, she gained international recognition and critical acclaim
for film roles that continued into her s and s. Her later work
included performances in Rosemary's Baby (), Where's Poppa? (), Harold
and Maude (), Every Which Way but Loose (), and Any Which Way You Can
().In addition to her acting career, Gordon wrote numerous plays, film
scripts, and books, most notably co-writing the screenplay for the
film Adam's Rib. Gordon won an Oscar, a Primetime Emmy, and two Golden
Globe Awards for her acting, as well as received three Academy Award
nominations for her writing.Ruth Gordon Jones was born in Quincy,
Massachusetts, at Winthrop Avenue. She later resided at Marion
Street (-) and Elmwood Avenue (-). All three homes are in the
Wollaston section of town.She was the child of Annie Tapley (née
Ziegler) and Clinton Jones. Her only sibling was an older half-sister
Claire, from her father's first marriage. She was baptized an
Episcopalian. Her first appearance in the public eye came as an infant
when her photograph was used in advertising for her father's employer,
Mellin's Food for Infants and Invalids. Prior to graduating from
Quincy High School, she wrote to several of her favorite actresses
requesting autographed pictures. A personal reply from Hazel Dawn
(whom she had seen in a stage production of The Pink Lady) inspired
her to go into acting. Although her father was skeptical of her
chances of success in a difficult profession, in , he took his
daughter to New York, where he enrolled her in the American Academy of
Dramatic Arts.
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