Ruby Dandridge

Ruby Jean Dandridge (née Butler; March 3, 1900 – October 17, 1987) was an American actress from the early 1900s through to the late 1950s. Dandridge is best known for her role on the radio show '' Amos 'n Andy'', in which she played Sadie Blake and Harriet Crawford, and on radio's '' Judy Canova Show'', in which she played Geranium. She is recognized for her role in the 1959 movie ''A Hole in the Head'' as Sally.

Early life

Born Ruby Jean Butler in Wichita, Kansas, on March 3, 1900, she was one of four children. Dandridge's parents were Nellie Simon, a maid, and George Butler, who was a janitor, grocer and entertainer. Dandridge's father was also "a famous minstrel man."

Career

In 1937, Dandridge played one of the witches in what an article in ''The Pittsburgh Courier'' called a "sepia representation" of ''Macbeth'' in Los Angeles. California. The production began on July 8 at the Mayan Theater. Five years later, she appeared in a production of '' Hit the Deck'' at the Curran Theatre in San Francisco, California. One of Dandridge's earliest appearances (uncredited, as were many of the minor roles she played) was as a native dancer in ''King Kong'' (1933). In other films, she played Rheba, a maid, in '' Junior Miss'' (1945), Dabby in '' Tap Roots'' (1948), the housekeeper in ''Three Little Girls in Blue'' (1946), Mrs. Kelso in '' Cabin in the Sky'' (1943) and Violet in '' Tish'' (1942). Dandridge played Oriole on both radio and TV versions of '' The Beulah Show'',Terrace, Vincent (1999). ''Radio Programs, 1924–1984: A Catalog of More Than 1800 Shows''. McFarland & Company, Inc. . P. 37. and Geranium in '' The Judy Canova Show'', and was a regular cast member on ''Tonight at Hoagy's''. She is heard as Raindrop on Gene Autry's Melody Ranch (August 1949 - April 1951). For one season (1961–1962), Dandridge played the maid on the television version of '' Father of the Bride''.

Other business

In 1955, Dandridge and her business partner Dorothy Foster bought land in Twentynine Palms, California, with plans to construct a subdivision of 250 homes. Also in the 1950s, Dandridge formed a nightclub act that played in clubs around Los Angeles. A review of her act cited her "flashes of effervescent showmanship" and stated "What Ruby lacks in her voice, she invariably makes up for it with her winsome personality."

Personal life, death and legacy

On September 30, 1919, she married Cyril Dandridge. Dandridge moved with her husband to Cleveland, Ohio, where her daughter, actress Vivian Dandridge, was born in 1921. Her second daughter, Academy Award-nominated actress Dorothy Dandridge, was born there in 1922, five months after Ruby and Cyril divorced. It is noted that after her divorce, Dandridge became involved with her companion Geneva Williams, who reportedly overworked the children and punished them harshly. Dandridge attended her daughter Dorothy's funeral in 1965.

On October 17, 1987, Dandridge died of a heart attack at a nursing home in Los Angeles, California. She was interred next to Dorothy at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California. In the 1999 film ''Introducing Dorothy Dandridge'', Ruby is portrayed by Loretta Devine.

Filmography

Features

Short subjects

Television

References

External links

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Ruby Dandridge gravestone indicating 1900 as year of birth

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dandridge, Ruby
American film actresses
American radio actresses
American television actresses
1900 births
1987 deaths
American LGBTQ actresses
African-American LGBTQ people
LGBTQ people from Kansas
Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale)
Actresses from Wichita, Kansas
20th-century African-American actresses
20th-century American actresses
20th-century American LGBTQ people