Ruth Roman: A Noted Film Actress of the 1940s and ’50s Who Was the Last Contract Player at Warner Bros
Where do I even begin with Ruth Roman? Anyone who understands what it means to be a talented actress will appreciate Roman’s performances in most of her movies.
Only a few entertainers have exhibited a passion for the artistic craft like she did, and today, I want to show what I mean. So, sit back, grab your popcorn, and enjoy the ride.
Ruth Roman’s Biography
You know her as the sexiest girl in Hollywood, but I know her as one of the most patient and hard-working women in the entertainment industry. Yes, Ruth Roman took Hollywood by storm, but her artistic journey wasn’t as seamless as you might think.
I’ll get to that in a second, though. Let’s start with a quick introduction.
Ruth Roman was born on December 22, 1922, in Lynn, Massachusetts, as the youngest of three daughters to Lithuanian-Jewish parents, Mary Pauline (Gold) and Abraham Roman. She didn’t have the happiest childhood.
Her father died when she was young, forcing her mother to support the family by working as a waitress and cleaning woman. They didn’t have a lot of money to spend.
That didn’t stop Ruth from pursuing her education, though. She attended Girls’ High School in Boston, where she discovered her passion for acting.
So, she enrolled in Bishop Lee Dramatic School to hone her skills. When she graduated, she knew it was time to let the world see another star exists.
Ruth Roman’s Career
When I first saw Ruth Roman in a movie, I thought: “Wow! Look at her effortlessly charming everyone watching her movies.” I later realized that reaching that stage took her quite a while.
Early Career
After graduating from Drama School, Ruth’s earliest acting job was performing with the Elizabeth Peabody Players and the New England Repertory Company. Of course, the scale of her projects wasn’t glamorous, but it was a good learning experience.
Do you know what Ruth thought would be another learning experience? Moving to Hollywood to find more opportunities, and she did—to an extent. She got more acting jobs, appearing in Stage Door Canteen (1943), Since You Went Away (1944), and Storm Over Lisbon (1944).
However, they were all minor roles that didn’t give her room to show her true talents. It wasn’t until 1948 that she got a decent role in Leo McCarey’s Good Sam.
Following that, with significant roles in Belle Starr’s Daughter (1948), The Window (1949), and Champion (1949), Ruth finally became what she was meant to be.
Finding Success
Recognizing her talents, Warner Bros decided to sign Ruth and help her realize her potential, and realizing her potential, she did. She secured some of her most memorable leading roles in Lightning Strikes Twice (1951), Tomorrow Is Another Day (1951), and Mara Maru (1952).
It wasn’t long before Roman started working with Universal and Republic on movies like Tanganyika (1954), The Shanghai Story (1954), and The Far Country (1955).
Here’s the thing: Despite finding great success as a movie actress, Ruth Roman never forgot her true passion: Theater. She didn’t hesitate to take it when she could do Two for the Seesaw. It’s no wonder she won the Sarah Siddons Award for her role.
Ruth Roman’s Personal Life
Ruth Roman was married three times:
Bill Wilson (1974-1999): Ruth married her third husband, Bill Wilson, in 1974. Their marriage lasted 25 years until Ruth’s passing in 1999.
Budd Moss (1956-1960): Ruth’s second marriage was to Budd Moss in 1956. They were together for four years before divorcing in 1960.
Mortimer Hall (1950-1956): Ruth’s first marriage was to Mortimer Hall, which lasted six years. They divorced in 1956.
Ruth Roman also had several relationships
Brad Dexter (1955-1956): Ruth dated actor Brad Dexter for about a year.
John Agar (1950): Ruth briefly dated actor John Agar in 1950.
Ronald Reagan (1949-1950): Ruth had a relationship with future U.S. president Ronald Reagan from 1949 to 1950.
William Walsh (1949-1950): She was also romantically involved with William Walsh during the same period.
Additionally, Ruth had a brief encounter with Steve Cochran in 1950.
Ruth Roman’s Death
After a life full of numerous personal and professional achievements, Ruth Roman passed away at 76 from natural causes. As much as she had an impact on any scene she appeared in, she died peacefully without making a hassle to her family or loved ones. She is survived by her son, Richard Roman Hall.
Final Thoughts
Ruth Roman isn’t just another pretty face on the screen. She’s a disciplined, persevering actress with more passion for her craft than you imagine. So, remember her journey to get that role the next time you see one of her movies.
