Ruta Lee

Ruta Lee’s career is a masterclass in versatility. From musicals to Westerns, courtroom dramas to game shows, she brought charisma and intelligence to every role she played. Born to Lithuanian immigrant parents in Montreal, Canada, Ruta’s journey to stardom began in Hollywood, where she worked as a candy girl at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre before landing her breakout role in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Her performances in Funny Face, Witness for the Prosecution, and countless television appearances made her a familiar face to audiences across generations.

But Ruta Lee’s impact goes far beyond the screen. A passionate advocate for mental health, she co-founded The Thalians, a celebrity-run organization supporting veterans and mental wellness. Her memoir, Consider Your Ass Kissed, offers a candid and humorous look at her life in show business. Whether she was trading lines with Lucille Ball or sharing the stage with the Rat Pack, Ruta Lee did it all with grace, grit, and a twinkle in her eye.