Charles Sherman Ruggles (February 8, 1886 – December 23, 1970) was an American comic

character actor A character actor is a supporting actor who plays unusual, interesting, or eccentric characters.28 April 2013, The New York Acting SchoolTen Best Character Actors of All Time Retrieved 7 August 2014, "..a breed of actor who has the ability to b ...

. In a career spanning six decades, Ruggles appeared in close to 100 feature films, often in mild-mannered and comic roles. He was also the elder brother of director, producer, and silent film actor Wesley Ruggles (1889–1972).

Career

Ruggles was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1886. Despite training to be a doctor, Ruggles soon found himself on the stage, appearing in a stock production of ''Nathan Hale'' in 1905. At Los Angeles's

Majestic Theatre Majestic Theatre or Majestic Theater may refer to: Australia * Majestic Theatre, Adelaide, former name of a theatre in King William Street, Adelaide, built 1916, now demolished * Majestic Theatre, Launceston, a former cinema in Tasmania designed ...

, he played Private Jo Files in L. Frank Baum and

Louis F. Gottschalk Louis Ferdinand Gottschalk (October 7, 1864 – July 15, 1934) was an American composer and conductor born in St. Louis, Missouri. The son of a Missouri governor, also named Louis, he studied music in Stuttgart, Germany, where his father, a jud ...

's musical ''

The Tik-Tok Man of Oz ''The Tik-Tok Man of Oz'' is a musical play with book and lyrics by L. Frank Baum and music by Louis F. Gottschalk that opened at the Majestic Theatre in Los Angeles, California on March 31, 1913. It is loosely inspired by Baum's book '' Ozma of ...

'' in 1913. He moved to Broadway to appear in '' Help Wanted'' in 1914. His first screen role came in the silent ''

Peer Gynt ''Peer Gynt'' (, ) is a five- act play in verse by the Norwegian dramatist Henrik Ibsen published in 1876. Written in Norwegian, it is one of the most widely performed Norwegian plays. Ibsen believed ''Per Gynt'', the Norwegian fairy tale on wh ...

'' the following year. Throughout the 1910s and 1920s, Ruggles continued to appear in silent movies, though his passion remained the stage, appearing in long-running productions such as ''

The Passing Show of 1918 ''The Passing Show of 1918'' is a Broadway musical revue featuring music of Sigmund Romberg and Jean Schwartz (and other songwriters), with book and lyrics by Harold R. Atteridge. The show introduced the hit songs "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles" ...

'', '' The Demi-Virgin'' and '' Battling Buttler''. One of his most famous stage hits was ''

Queen High ''Queen High'' is the title of an American pre-Code musical comedy film, produced by Paramount Pictures in 1930. Based upon the 1926 stage musical ''Queen High'' that Buddy DeSylva, Lewis Gensler, and Laurence Schwab had adapted from Edward P ...

'', one of his last before a nearly 30-year hiatus, produced in 1926. He also played Peter Braley in ''Spring Is Here'', which ran for 104 performances in 1929. From 1929, Ruggles appeared in talking pictures. His first was ''

Gentleman of the Press ''Gentlemen of the Press'' is a 1929 all-talking American pre-Code film starring Walter Huston in his first feature film role, and Kay Francis and an uncredited Brian Donlevy in their film debuts. The film still survives. This film's copyright ...

'' in which he played a comic, alcoholic newspaper reporter. Throughout the 1930s, he was teamed with comic actress

Mary Boland Mary Boland (born Marie Anne Boland; January 28, 1882 – June 23, 1965) was an American stage and film actress. Early years Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Boland was the daughter of repertory actor William Augustus Boland, and his wife M ...

in a string of domestic farces, notably ''

If I Had a Million ''If I Had a Million'' is a 1932 American pre-Code Paramount Studios anthology film starring Gary Cooper, George Raft, Charles Laughton, W.C. Fields, Jack Oakie, Frances Dee and Charlie Ruggles, among others. There were seven directors: Ernst ...

'', ''

Six of a Kind ''Six of a Kind'' is an American 1934 pre-Code comedy film directed by Leo McCarey and starring Charles Ruggles, Mary Boland, W.C. Fields, George Burns, and Gracie Allen. It is a whimsical and often absurd road movie about two couples who decid ...

'', ''

Ruggles of Red Gap ''Ruggles of Red Gap'' is a 1935 American comedy western film directed by Leo McCarey and starring Charles Laughton, Mary Boland, Charlie Ruggles, and ZaSu Pitts and featuring Roland Young and Leila Hyams. It was based on the best-selling 191 ...

'', and ''

People Will Talk ''People Will Talk'' is a 1951 American romantic comedy/drama film directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz and produced by Darryl F. Zanuck from a screenplay by Mankiewicz, based on the German play by Curt Goetz, which was made into a movie in Germany ...

''. Ruggles is best remembered today as the big-game hunter in ''

Bringing Up Baby ''Bringing Up Baby'' is a 1938 American screwball comedy film directed by Howard Hawks, and starring Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant. It was released by RKO Radio Pictures. The film tells the story of a paleontologist in a number of predi ...

'' and billionaire Michael J. "Mike" O'Connor in ''

It Happened on Fifth Avenue ''It Happened on 5th Avenue'' is a 1947 American comedy film directed by Roy Del Ruth and starring Victor Moore, Ann Harding, Don DeFore, Charles Ruggles and Gale Storm. Herbert Clyde Lewis and Frederick Stephani were nominated for the Academy ...

''. In 1944, he had a summer radio series, ''The Charlie Ruggles Show'' on CBS. In 1949, Ruggles halted his film career to return to the stage and to move into television. He was the headline character in the TV series '' The Ruggles'' (1949–52), a family comedy in which he played a character also called Charlie Ruggles and was again the headline character in the daily sitcom '' The World of Mr. Sweeney'', which ran for 345 episodes in 1954–55. Ruggles returned to the big screen in 1961, playing Charles McKendrick in '' The Parent Trap'' and Mackenzie Savage in ''

The Pleasure of His Company ''The Pleasure of His Company'' is a 1961 comedy film starring Fred Astaire and Debbie Reynolds, directed by George Seaton and released by Paramount Pictures. It is based on the 1958 play of the same name by Samuel A. Taylor and Cornelia Otis S ...

''. In the latter film, he reprised the role for which he had won a

Tony Award The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Award, recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual c ...

in 1959. In 1963 he memorably played the grandfather of the silent film star

Corinne Griffith Corinne Griffith (née Griffin; November 21, 1894 – July 13, 1979) was an American film actress, producer, author and businesswoman. Dubbed "The Orchid Lady of the Screen," she was widely regarded as one of the most beautiful actresses of the ...

in ''

Papa's Delicate Condition ''Papa's Delicate Condition'' is a 1963 American comedy film starring Jackie Gleason and Glynis Johns. It was an adaptation of the Corinne Griffith memoir of the same name, about her father and growing up in Texarkana, Texas. Jimmy Van Heusen ( ...

''. Griffith had written the book of her early life on which the film is based. Ruggles made guest appearances in episodes of various television series through the 1950s and 1960s, such as a time-traveling librarian in " Man from 1997," a 1956 science fiction episode of the television series '' Conflict'', and a 1961 appearance as a wealthy neighbor who offers to finance a European trip for Hassie McCoy on ''

The Real McCoys ''The Real McCoys'' is an American situation comedy starring Walter Brennan, Richard Crenna, and Kathleen Nolan. Co-produced by Danny Thomas's Marterto Productions in association with Walter Brennan and Irving Pincus's Westgate Compan ...

'', in the season 5 episode "Hassie's European Tour". Ruggles had a recurring guest role on ''

The Beverly Hillbillies ''The Beverly Hillbillies'' is an American television sitcom that was broadcast on CBS from 1962 to 1971. It had an ensemble cast featuring Buddy Ebsen, Irene Ryan, Donna Douglas, and Max Baer Jr. as the Clampetts, a poor, backwoods family f ...

'' in the mid-1960s as Lowell Redlings Farquhar, father-in-law of

Milburn Drysdale ''The Beverly Hillbillies'' is an American television sitcom that was broadcast on CBS from 1962 to 1971. It had an ensemble cast featuring Buddy Ebsen, Irene Ryan, Donna Douglas, and Max Baer Jr. as the Clampetts, a poor, backwoods family fro ...

(

Raymond Bailey Raymond Thomas Bailey (May 6, 1904 – April 15, 1980) was an American actor, and comedian on the Broadway stage, films, and television. He is best known for his role as greedy banker Milburn Drysdale in the television series ''The Beverly Hill ...

). Ruggles also played Aunt Clara's (

Marion Lorne Marion Lorne MacDougal or MacDougall (sources differ) (August 12, 1883 – May 9, 1968), known professionally as Marion Lorne, was an American actress of stage, film, and television. After a career in theatre in New York and London, Lorne ...

) old flame, the warlock Hedley Partridge, as well as a Mr. Caldwell, whose company marketed soup, in the television series ''

Bewitched ''Bewitched'' is an American fantasy sitcom television series that originally aired for eight seasons on ABC from September 17, 1964, to March 25, 1972. It is about a witch who marries an ordinary mortal man and vows to lead the life of a typ ...

''. In Wagon Train, he played, Jameson Hershey, the owner of an elderly horse, Herman, that joins up with the wagon train. He played Congressman John Canfield on an episode of ''

The Andy Griffith Show ''The Andy Griffith Show '' is an American sitcom, situation comedy television series that aired on CBS from October 3, 1960, to April 1, 1968, with a total of 249 half-hour episodes spanning eight seasons—159 in black and white and 90 in colo ...

'' called "Aunt Bee, The Swinger", and appeared as a driving instructor on ''

The Munsters ''The Munsters'' is an American sitcom depicting the home life of a family of benign monsters. The series starred Fred Gwynne as Frankenstein's monsterEpisodes referring to the fact that Herman is Frankenstein's monster include #55, "Just Anoth ...

''. Ruggles also lent his voice to the

Aesop and Son ''The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends'' (commonly referred to as simply ''Rocky and Bullwinkle'') is an American animated television series that originally aired from November 19, 1959, to June 27, 1964, on the American Broadca ...

features in

Jay Ward Joseph Ward Cohen Jr. (September 20, 1920 – October 12, 1989), also known as Jay Ward, was an American creator and producer of animated TV cartoon shows. He produced animated series based on such characters as Crusader Rabbit, Rocky & Bu ...

's ''

The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show ''The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends'' (commonly referred to as simply ''Rocky and Bullwinkle'') is an American animated television series that originally aired from November 19, 1959, to June 27, 1964, on the ABC and NBC te ...

''. One of Ruggles' last television appearances before his death was a starring role in the syndicated television special ''The Wonder Circus'', where he played Charlie Wonder, a retired ringmaster who talked about his life leading a circus.

Personal life

His marriage to

Adele Rowland Adele Rowland (born Adele P. Levi; July 10, 1883 – August 8, 1971) was an American actress and singer. Biography She was born on July 10, 1883 as Adele P. Levi in Washington, D.C., the youngest daughter of Abraham D. Levi and Addie (Lloyd) ...

(1914–1916) ended in divorce after two years. He then married Barbara Guillan and they remained married until her death in 1941. He married Marion LaBarba in 1942; the couple remained wed until his death in 1970.

Death

Ruggles died of cancer at

Saint John's Health Center Providence Saint John's Health Center, formerly St. Johns Hospital and Health Center, is a private not-for-profit, Roman Catholic hospital in Santa Monica, California, United States. The hospital was founded in 1942 by the Sisters of Charity of ...

in Santa Monica, California, on December 23, 1970 at the age of 84. He is interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California in the Garden of Memory near his brother Wesley Ruggles.

Legacy

Charlie Ruggles has three stars on the

Hollywood Walk of Fame The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a historic landmark which consists of more than 2,700 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, Calif ...

: one for his contributions to motion pictures on 6200 Hollywood Boulevard, one for his radio work on 6300 Hollywood Boulevard, and one for television on 1600 Vine Street.

Complete filmography

* ''

The Patchwork Girl of Oz ''The Patchwork Girl of Oz'' by L. Frank Baum is a children's novel, the seventh in the Oz series. Characters include the Woozy, Ojo "the Unlucky", Unc Nunkie, Dr. Pipt, Scraps (the patchwork girl), and others. The book was first published ...

'' (1914) – Minor Role (unconfirmed) * '' The Majesty of the Law'' (1915) – Lawrence Evans * ''

'' (1915) – The Button Molder * '' The Reform Candidate'' (1915) – Loony Jim * '' The Heart Raider'' (1923) – Gaspard McMahon (an insurance clerk) * '' Gentlemen of the Press'' (1929) – Charlie Haven * '' The Lady Lies'' (1929) – Charlie Tayler * ''

The Battle of Paris ''The Battle of Paris'' (a.k.a. ''The Gay Lady'') is a 1929 American pre-Code musical film. Plot Gertrude Lawrence plays a singer in Paris during World War I. After stealing from Tony (Walter Petrie), an American artist, the two fall in love. ...

'' (1929) – Zizi * ''

Roadhouse Nights ''Roadhouse Nights'' is a 1930 American Pre-Code gangster film. A number of sources including Sally Cline in her book ''Dashiell Hammett Man of Mystery'' claim it is based on the classic novel ''Red Harvest'' written by Dashiell Hammett (author ...

'' (1930) – Willie Bindbugel * ''

Young Man of Manhattan ''Young Man of Manhattan'' is a 1930 American pre-Code musical comedy film directed by Monta Bell and starring Claudette Colbert, Norman Foster, Ginger Rogers, and Charles Ruggles. Made by Paramount Pictures, it was set and filmed in New York C ...

'' (1930) – Shorty Ross * ''

'' (1930) – T. Boggs Johns * ''

Her Wedding Night ''Her Wedding Night'' is a 1930 American pre-Code comedy film directed by Frank Tuttle and written by Avery Hopwood and Henry Myers. The film stars Clara Bow, Ralph Forbes, Charlie Ruggles, Richard "Skeets" Gallagher, Geneva Mitchell and Ros ...

'' (1930) – Bertie Bird * ''

Charley's Aunt ''Charley's Aunt'' is a farce in three acts written by Brandon Thomas. The story centres on Lord Fancourt Babberley, an undergraduate whose friends Jack and Charley persuade him to impersonate the latter's aunt. The complications of the plot in ...

'' (1930) – Lord Fancourt Babberley * ''

Honor Among Lovers ''Honor Among Lovers'' is a 1931 American pre-Code drama film made by Paramount Pictures, directed by Dorothy Arzner. The film stars Claudette Colbert, Fredric March, Monroe Owsley, Charles Ruggles and Ginger Rogers. Plot Julia Traynor (Claud ...

'' (1931) – Monty Dunn * ''

The Smiling Lieutenant ''The Smiling Lieutenant'' is a 1931 American pre-Code musical comedy film directed by Ernst Lubitsch, starring Maurice Chevalier, Claudette Colbert and Miriam Hopkins, and released by Paramount Pictures. It was written by Samson Raphaelson and ...

'' (1931) – Max * ''

The Girl Habit ''The Girl Habit'' is a 1931 American pre-Code comedy film directed by Edward F. Cline and written by Owen Davis, Clayton Hamilton, Gertrude Purcell and A.E. Thomas. The film stars Charlie Ruggles, Tamara Geva, Margaret Dumont, Allen Jenkins ...

'' (1931) – Charlie Floyd * ''

The Beloved Bachelor ''The Beloved Bachelor'' is a 1931 American pre-Code drama film directed by Lloyd Corrigan, and written by Sidney Buchman, Raymond Griffith, Agnes Brand Leahy and Edward Peple. The film stars Paul Lukas, Dorothy Jordan, Vivienne Osborne, Char ...

'' (1931) – Jerry Wells * ''

Husband's Holiday ''Husband's Holiday'' is a 1931 American pre-Code drama film directed by Robert Milton and written by Ernest Pascal and Viola Brothers Shore. The film stars Clive Brook, Vivienne Osborne, Charlie Ruggles, Juliette Compton, Harry Bannister, Do ...

'' (1931) – Clyde Saunders * ''

This Reckless Age ''This Reckless Age'' is a 1932 American pre-Code comedy film directed by Frank Tuttle and starring Charles "Buddy" Rogers and produced and distributed by Paramount Pictures. The film is based on a Broadway play ''The Goose Hangs High'' by L ...

'' (1932) – Goliath Whitney * '' One Hour with You'' (1932) – Adolph * '' This Is the Night'' (1932) – Bunny West * '' Make Me a Star'' (1932) – Charles Ruggles (uncredited) * '' Love Me Tonight'' (1932) – Viscount Gilbert de Varèze * ''

70,000 Witnesses ''70,000 Witnesses'' is a 1932 American pre-Code mystery film directed by Ralph Murphy, written by Garrett Fort, Robert N. Lee, Allen Rivkin and P.J. Wolfson, and starring Phillips Holmes, Dorothy Jordan, Charlie Ruggles, Johnny Mack Bro ...

'' (1932) – Johnny Moran * ''

The Night of June 13 ''The Night of June 13'' is a 1932 American pre-Code mystery film directed by Stephen Roberts. The film stars Clive Brook, Frances Dee, Charlie Ruggles, Gene Raymond, Lila Lee, Mary Boland and Adrianne Allen. The film was released on September 23 ...

'' (1932) – Philo Strawn * '' Trouble in Paradise'' (1932) – The Major * ''

Evenings for Sale The evening is the period of the day between afternoon and night. Evening may also refer to: * ''Evening'' (magazine), a Japanese magazine * ''Evening'' (novel), a 1998 novel by Susan Minot ** ''Evening'' (film), a 2007 film * ''Evenings'' (f ...

'' (1932) – Bimpfl * ''

'' (1932) – Henry Peabody * ''

Madame Butterfly ''Madama Butterfly'' (; ''Madame Butterfly'') is an opera in three acts (originally two) by Giacomo Puccini, with an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. It is based on the short story " Madame Butterfly" (1898) by John Lut ...

'' (1932) – Lt. Barton * ''

Murders in the Zoo ''Murders in the Zoo'' is 1933 pre-Code horror film directed by A. Edward Sutherland, written by Philip Wylie and Seton I. Miller. Particularly dark, even for its time, film critic Leonard Maltin called the film "astonishingly grisly." Plot Bi ...

'' (1933) – Peter Yates * '' Terror Aboard'' (1933) – Blackie Witherspoon * '' Melody Cruise'' (1933) – Pete Wells * '' Mama Loves Papa'' (1933) – Wilbur Todd * '' Goodbye Love'' (1933) – Oswald Groggs * '' Girl Without a Room'' (1933) – Vergil Crock * ''

Alice in Wonderland ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'' (commonly ''Alice in Wonderland'') is an 1865 English novel by Lewis Carroll. It details the story of a young girl named Alice who falls through a rabbit hole into a fantasy world of anthropomorphic creatur ...

'' (1933) – March Hare * ''

'' (1933) – J. Pinkham Whinney * '' Melody in Spring'' (1934) – Warren Blodgett * ''

Murder in the Private Car ''Murder in the Private Car'' is a 1934 American pre-Code mystery romance film starring Mary Carlisle, Charles Ruggles and Una Merkel. Directed by Harry Beaumont, the production is based on the play ''The Rear Car'' by Edward E. Rose. David T ...

'' (1934) – Godfrey D. Scott * ''

Friends of Mr. Sweeney ''Friends of Mr. Sweeney'' is a 1934 American comedy film directed by Edward Ludwig and written by Warren B. Duff, Sid Sutherland, F. Hugh Herbert and Erwin S. Gelsey. It is based on the 1925 novel ''Friends of Mr. Sweeney'' by Elmer Davis. Th ...

'' (1934) – Asaph 'Ace' Holliday * '' The Pursuit of Happiness'' (1934) – Aaron Kirkland * ''

'' (1935) – Egbert Floud * ''

'' (1935) – Henry Wilton * ''

No More Ladies ''No More Ladies'' is a 1935 American romantic comedy film directed by Edward H. Griffith. The film stars Joan Crawford and Robert Montgomery, and co-stars Charlie Ruggles, Franchot Tone, and Edna May Oliver. The screenplay credited to Donald ...

'' (1935) – Edgar * ''

The Big Broadcast of 1936 ''The Big Broadcast of 1936'' is a 1935 American comedy film directed by Norman Taurog, and is the second in the series of ''Big Broadcast'' movies. The musical comedy starred Jack Oakie, Bing Crosby, George Burns, Gracie Allen, Ethel Merm ...

'' (1935) – Wilbur Sealingsworth * ''

Anything Goes ''Anything Goes'' is a musical with music and lyrics by Cole Porter. The original book was a collaborative effort by Guy Bolton and P. G. Wodehouse, heavily revised by the team of Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. The story concerns madcap ant ...

'' (1936) – Moonface Martin * '' The Preview Murder Mystery'' (1936) – Charles Ruggles (uncredited) * ''

Early to Bed Early may refer to: History * The beginning or oldest part of a defined historical period, as opposed to middle or late periods, e.g.: ** Early Christianity ** Early modern Europe Places in the United States * Early, Iowa * Early, Texas * Early ...

'' (1936) – Chester Beatty * ''

Hearts Divided ''Hearts Divided'' is a 1936 American musical film about the real-life marriage between American Elizabeth 'Betsy' Patterson and Jérôme Bonaparte, brother of Napoleon. It stars Marion Davies and Dick Powell as the couple. The film was a remake ...

'' (1936) – Henry * ''

Yours for the Asking ''Yours for the Asking'' is a 1936 American comedy film film starring George Raft as a casino owner and Dolores Costello as the socialite he hires as hostess. The movie also features Ida Lupino and was directed by Alexander Hall. Plot Johnny La ...

'' (1936) – Sunbather (uncredited) * ''

Hollywood Boulevard Hollywood Boulevard is a major east–west street in Los Angeles, California. It begins in the east at Sunset Boulevard in the Los Feliz district and proceeds to the west as a major thoroughfare through Little Armenia and Thai Town, Hollywoo ...

'' (1936) – Himself – Actor – Cameo Appearance (uncredited) * ''

Wives Never Know ''Wives Never Know'' is a 1936 American black-and-white comedy film directed by Elliott Nugent. Written by Frederick Hazlitt Brennan, Edwin Justus Mayer and Keene Thompson, the film stars Charlie Ruggles, Mary Boland, and Adolphe Menjou, and w ...

'' (1936) – Homer Bigelow * '' Mind Your Own Business'' (1936) – Orville Shanks * '' Turn Off the Moon'' (1937) – J. Elliott Dinwiddy * '' Exclusive'' (1937) – Tod Swain * ''

'' (1938) – Major Applegate * ''Hollywood Handicap'' (1938, Short) – Himself * ''Screen Snapshots Series 17, No. 12'' (1938, Documentary short) – Himself * '' Breaking the Ice'' (1938) – Samuel Terwilliger * ''

Service de Luxe ''Service de Luxe'' is a 1938 American comedy film directed by Rowland V. Lee and starring Constance Bennett, Vincent Price (in his film debut) and Charles Ruggles.Kellow p.211 Plot Helen Murphy, alias Dorothy Madison number 1 (Constance Benne ...

'' (1938) – Scott Robinson * ''

His Exciting Night ''His Exciting Night'' is a 1938 American comedy film directed by Gus Meins and written by Pat C. Flick, Edward Eliscu and Morton Grant. It is based on the 1934 play ''Adam's Evening'' by Katharine Kavanaugh. The film stars Charlie Ruggles, Ric ...

'' (1938) – Adam Tripp * ''

Boy Trouble ''Boy Trouble'' is a 1939 American film starring Charles Ruggles, Mary Boland, Donald O'Connor, and Billy Lee. Plot In the story, Sybil Fitch (Boland) adopts two orphan boys (O'Connor, Lee). Her husband (Ruggles) is infuriated. However, when th ...

'' (1939) – Homer C. Fitch * ''

Sudden Money ''Sudden Money'' is a 1939 American comedy film directed by Nick Grinde, written by Lewis R. Foster, and starring Charlie Ruggles, Marjorie Rambeau, Charley Grapewin, Broderick Crawford, Billy Lee and Evelyn Keyes. It was released on March 31, 1 ...

'' (1939) – Sweeney J. Patterson * '' Invitation to Happiness'' (1939) – Henry 'Pop' Hardy * '' Night Work'' (1939) – Homer C. Fitch * ''

Balalaika The balalaika (russian: link=no, балала́йка, ) is a Russian stringed musical instrument with a characteristic triangular wooden, hollow body, fretted neck and three strings. Two strings are usually tuned to the same note and the thir ...

'' (1939) – Nicki Popoff * '' The Farmer's Daughter'' (1940) – Nickie North * ''

Opened by Mistake ''Opened by Mistake'' is a 1940 film starring Charlie Ruggles and Janice Logan. Plot Journalist buddies Jimmie Daniels and Buzz Nelson have decided to spend their vacation together at the Latonia horse race track on Yucatán, Mexico. Their plan ...

'' (1940) – Buzz Nelson * ''

Maryland Maryland ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It shares borders with Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean t ...

'' (1940) – Dick Piper * ''

Public Deb No. 1 ''Public Deb No. 1'' (or ''Elsa Maxwell's Public Deb No. 1'') is a 1940 American comedy film directed by Gregory Ratoff and starring George Murphy, Brenda Joyce and Ralph Bellamy. Plot A socialite is introduced to communism by her butler. Part ...

'' (1940) – Milburn * ''

No Time for Comedy ''No Time for Comedy'' is a 1940 American comedy-drama film based on the play of the same name by S. N. Behrman, starring James Stewart, Rosalind Russell, Genevieve Tobin and Charlie Ruggles. Plot summary Gaylord Esterbrook (Stewart), a reporte ...

'' (1940) – Philo Swift * ''

The Invisible Woman The Invisible Woman (Susan "Sue" Storm-Richards) is a superheroine appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is a founding member of the Fantastic Four and was the first female superhero created by Marvel durin ...

'' (1940) – George * '' Honeymoon for Three'' (1941) – Harvey Wilson * '' Model Wife'' (1941) – Milo Everett * '' The Parson of Panamint'' (1941) – Chuckawalla Bill Redfield * ''

Go West, Young Lady ''Go West, Young Lady'' is a 1941 American comedy Western film directed by Frank R. Strayer and starring Penny Singleton, Glenn Ford and Ann Miller. Plot The town of Headstone eagerly awaits the arrival of their new sheriff, hoping that he ...

'' (1941) – Jim Pendergast * ''

The Perfect Snob ''The Perfect Snob'' is a 1941 American comedy film directed by Ray McCarey and written by Lee Loeb and Harold Buchman. The film stars Charlie Ruggles, Charlotte Greenwood, Lynn Bari, Cornel Wilde, Anthony Quinn and Alan Mowbray. The film was r ...

'' (1941) – Dr. Edgar Mason * '' Friendly Enemies'' (1942) – Heinrich Block * ''

Dixie Dugan ''Dixie Dugan'' is best known as a long-running syndicated newspaper comic strip published from October 21, 1929 to October 8, 1966. The title character was originally modeled after 1920s film actress Louise Brooks and early stories followed Dixi ...

'' (1943) – Pa Dugan * ''The Shining Future'' (1944, Short) – Mr. Ames * ''The Road to Victory'' (1944, Short) – Mr. Ames (uncredited) * '' The Doughgirls'' (1944) – Stanley Slade * ''

Our Hearts Were Young and Gay ''Our Hearts Were Young and Gay'' is a book by actress Cornelia Otis Skinner and journalist Emily Kimbrough, published in 1942. The book presents a description of their European tour in the 1920s, when they were fresh out of college from Bryn M ...

'' (1944) – Otis Skinner * '' Three Is a Family'' (1944) – Sam Whitaker * '' Bedside Manner'' (1945) – Dr. J.H. 'Doc' Fredericks * ''

Incendiary Blonde ''Incendiary Blonde'' is a 1945 American musical drama film biography of 1920s nightclub star Texas Guinan. Filmed in Technicolor by director George Marshall and loosely based on a true story, the picture stars actress Betty Hutton as Guinan. The ...

'' (1945) – Cherokee Jim * '' A Stolen Life'' (1946) – Freddie Linley * ''

Gallant Journey ''Gallant Journey'' (aka ''The Great Highway'') is a 1946 American historical film written, produced and directed by William A. Wellman and starring Glenn Ford and Janet Blair. The film is a biopic of the early U.S. aviation pioneer John Joseph Mo ...

'' (1946) – Jim Montgomery * '' The Perfect Marriage'' (1947) – Dale Williams, Sr. * '' My Brother Talks to Horses'' (1947) – Richard Pennington Roeder * ''

Ramrod A ramrod (or scouring stick) is a metal or wooden device used with muzzleloading firearms to push the projectile up against the propellant (mainly blackpowder). The ramrod was used with weapons such as muskets and cannons and was usually held i ...

'' (1947) – Ben Dickason * ''

It Happened on 5th Avenue ''It Happened on 5th Avenue'' is a 1947 American comedy film directed by Roy Del Ruth and starring Victor Moore, Ann Harding, Don DeFore, Charles Ruggles and Gale Storm. Herbert Clyde Lewis and Frederick Stephani were nominated for the Academy ...

'' (1947) – Michael J. O'Connor * '' Give My Regards to Broadway'' (1948) – Toby Helper * '' The Lovable Cheat'' (1949) – Claude Mercadet * ''

Look for the Silver Lining "Look for the Silver Lining" is a 1919 popular song with music by Jerome Kern and lyrics by B.G. DeSylva. Background The song was written in 1919 for the unsuccessful musical ''Zip, Goes a Million''. In 1920, it was publishedSuskin, Steven ...

'' (1949) – Caro 'Pop' Miller * ''

Ben and Me ''Ben and Me'' is a 1953 American animated two-reel short subject produced by Walt Disney Productions and released theatrically on November 10, 1953. It was adapted from the children's book written by author/illustrator Robert Lawson and first p ...

'' (1953, Short) – Ben Franklin (voice, uncredited) * ''

The Bells of St. Mary's ''The Bells of St. Mary's'' (1945) is an American musical comedy-drama film, produced and directed by Leo McCarey and starring Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman. Written by Dudley Nichols and based on a story by McCarey, the film is about a priest ...

'' (1959, TV movie) – Horace Bogardus * ''Once Upon a Christmas Time'' (1959, TV movie) – Mayor * ''

All in a Night's Work ''All in a Night's Work'' is the ninth studio album by the funk and disco group KC and the Sunshine Band. The album was produced by Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch and was released in August 1982 on the Epic label. History ''All in a Night' ...

'' (1961) – Dr. Warren Kingsley Sr. * '' The Parent Trap'' (1961) – Charles McKendrick * ''

'' (1961) – Mackenzie Savage * ''The Ginger Rogers Show'' (1961, TV movie) – Eli Harcourt * ''Ernestine'' (1962, TV movie) * ''

Son of Flubber ''Son of Flubber'' is a 1963 American science fiction comedy film directed by Robert Stevenson and produced by Walt Disney Productions. The sequel to ''The Absent-Minded Professor'' (1961), Fred MacMurray reprises his role from the first film as N ...

'' (1963) – Judge Murdock * ''

'' (1963) – Anthony Ghio * ''

I'd Rather Be Rich ''I'd Rather Be Rich'' is a 1964 romantic comedy film with musical aspects directed by Jack Smight, produced by Ross Hunter and starring Sandra Dee. The film focuses on a dying man who wishes to meet his granddaughter's fiancé, but he is unavaila ...

'' (1964) – Dr. Charles Crandall * '' The Ugly Dachshund'' (1966) – Dr. J.L. Pruitt * ''

Follow Me, Boys! ''Follow Me, Boys!'' is a 1966 American drama film produced by Walt Disney Productions. It is an adaptation of the 1954 novel ''God and My Country'' by MacKinlay Kantor and was the final live action film produced by Walt Disney, who died two week ...

'' (1966) – John Everett Hughes * ''

Carousel A carousel or carrousel (mainly North American English), merry-go-round (international), roundabout (British English), or hurdy-gurdy (an old term in Australian English, in SA) is a type of amusement ride consisting of a rotating circular pl ...

'' (1967, TV movie) – The Starkeeper / Dr. Selden

Television credits

* ''

Father Knows Best ''Father Knows Best'' is an American sitcom starring Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray and Lauren Chapin. The series, which began on radio in 1949, aired as a television show for six seasons and 203 episodes. Created by ...

'' (1960) (1 episode) as Jim's co-worker * '' Rocky and His Friends'' (1960–1961) as Voice of Aesop * ''

The Bullwinkle Show ''The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends'' (commonly referred to as simply ''Rocky and Bullwinkle'') is an American animated television series that originally aired from November 19, 1959, to June 27, 1964, on the ABC and NBC tele ...

'' (1961) as Voice of Aesop * ''

'' (1961) as Mr. Deveraux * '' Burke's Law'' (1963–1964) as O.B. Danberry / Charles Wingfield / I.A. Bugg / Mr. Gregory * ''My Living Doll'' (1964, "I'll Leave It to You") as Jonas Clay * ''

Beverly Hillbillies ''The Beverly Hillbillies'' is an American television sitcom that was broadcast on CBS from 1962 to 1971. It had an ensemble cast featuring Buddy Ebsen, Irene Ryan, Donna Douglas, and Max Baer Jr. as the Clampetts, a poor, backwoods family fro ...

'' (1964) as Mrs. Drysdale's father * ''

'' (1964, episode: "Help Help, Don't Save Me"), and (1965, episode: "Aunt Clara's Old Flame") as Hedley Partridge * ''

Wagon Train ''Wagon Train'' is an American Western series that aired 8 seasons: first on the NBC television network (1957–1962), and then on ABC (1962–1965). ''Wagon Train'' debuted on September 18, 1957, and became number one in the Nielsen ratings ...

'' as Mr. Caldwell (1965, episode:"Herman") * '' The Man from U.N.C.L.E.'' (1965) (1 episode) as Governor Callahan * ''

'' (1965) (episode "Aunt Bee, The Swinger") as John Canfield * ''

'' (1965) (1 episode, "Herman's Driving Test") as Charlie Wiggens * ''

Bonanza ''Bonanza'' is an American Western television series that ran on NBC from September 13, 1959, to January 16, 1973. Lasting 14 seasons and 432 episodes, ''Bonanza'' is NBC's longest-running western, the second-longest-running western series on ...

'' (1966) (1 episode, "Horse of a Different Hue") as Col. Robert Fairchild * ''The Wonder Circus'' (1966) (television special) as Charlie Wonder * '' The Danny Thomas Hour'' (1968) (1 episode, "One for My Baby") as Stimson

Radio appearances

References

External links

* * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Ruggles, Charlie 1886 births 1970 deaths 20th-century American male actors American male film actors American male television actors American male stage actors American male radio actors American male voice actors Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale) People from Greater Los Angeles Deaths from cancer in California Male actors from California