Ann Rutherford

Also Known As: Therese Ann Rutherford

Biography: Ann Rutherford was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The daughter of a former Metropolitan Opera singer, John Rutherford, and her actress mother, Lillian Mansfield, Ann was destined for show business. Not long after her birth, her family moved to California, where she made her stage debut in 1925. Ann appeared in many plays and on radio for the next nine years before making her first screen appearance in Waterfront Lady (1935). Ann's talent was readily apparent, and she was signed to three films in 1935: Waterfront Lady (1935), Melody Trail (1935), and The Fighting Marines (1935). By now, she was a leading lady in the fabled Westerns with two legends, John Wayne and Gene Autry. By the time Ann was 17, she inked a deal with MGM, where she would gain the status of superstar for her portrayal of Polly Benedict in the popular Andy Hardy series with Mickey Rooney. Ann's first role as Polly was in 1938, in You're Only Young Once (1937). Three more Hardy films were produced that same year: Out West with the Hardys (1938), Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938), and Judge Hardy's Children (1938). Ann found time to play in other productions, too. One that is still loved today is the Charles Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol (1938), in which she played the sweet role of the Spirit of Christmas Past. In 1939, Ann played the role of Annie Hawks in Of Human Hearts (1938) in addition to three more Andy Hardy films. But that year also saw Ann land a role in the most popular film in film history. She played Careen O'Hara, Scarlett's little sister, in Gone with the Wind (1939). Plenty of fans of the Andy Hardy series went to see it just for Ann. The film was unquestionably a super hit. Ann then resumed making other movies. While working for MGM, Ann, along with the other stars, was under the watchful eye of movie mogul Louis B. Mayer. The bottom line was profit, and Mayer kept performers' salaries minimized as much as possible. Most tried to get raises and failed. Even Mickey Rooney was decidedly underpaid during his glory years at MGM. But not Ann Rutherford. When she asked for a raise, she took out her bankbook and, showing him the amount it contained, told Mayer she had promised her mother a new house. Ann got her raise. In 1942 at the age of 22, Ann appeared in her last Andy Hardy film, Andy Hardy's Double Life (1942). She then left MGM and freelanced her talent. Ann was still in demand. In 1943, she appeared in Happy Land (1943), but it was a little later in her career when she appeared in two big hits. In 1947, she played Gertrude Griswold in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, and Donna Elena in Adventures of Don Juan in 1948. After that, Ann appeared in several TV programs and didn't return to the silver screen until 1972, in They Only Kill Their Masters (1972). Her last role came in 1976 in the dismal Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood (1976), whereupon she retired. Ann was approached to play the older Rose in 1998's mega hit Titanic (1997) but turned it down. She happily enjoyed her retirement being constantly deluged with fan mail and granting several interviews and appearances. Ann Rutherford died at her Beverly Hills home on June 11, 2012 with her close friend Anne Jeffreys by her side. She was 94 years old.

Department: Acting

Place of Birth: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Birthday: November 02, 1917

Deathday: June 11, 2012

Adult: No

Gender: Female

Popularity:

1.12%

Known For:

Gone with the Wind
Inside Job
A Christmas Carol
Adventures of Don Juan
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
The Madonna's Secret
Her Favorite Patient
Andy Hardy's Double Life
Orchestra Wives
Andy Hardy's Private Secretary
Two O'Clock Courage
Life Begins for Andy Hardy
Andy Hardy Meets Debutante
Pride and Prejudice
Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever
Love Finds Andy Hardy
They Only Kill Their Masters
Flag of Mercy
The Courtship of Andy Hardy
Whistling in the Dark
Whistling in Dixie
Whistling in Brooklyn
Badlands of Dakota
This Time for Keeps
Out West with the Hardys
Judge Hardy and Son
The Lawless Nineties
Murder in the Music Hall
Four Girls in White
Of Human Hearts
The Ghost Comes Home
You're Only Young Once
The Lonely Trail
The Singing Vagabond
Waterfront Lady
Public Cowboy No. 1
The Fighting Marines
Operation Haylift
Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage
Dramatic School
These Glamour Girls
Down to the Sea
Comin' 'Round the Mountain
Melody Trail
The Harvester
Judge Hardy's Children
Happy Land
Washington Melodrama
The Devil Is Driving
Doughnuts and Society
Keeping Company
Wyoming
The Hardys Ride High
Dancing Co-Ed
The Oregon Trail
Espionage
Andy Hardy's Dilemma: A Lesson in Mathematics... and Other Things
Bermuda Mystery
Angel of Mercy
Annie Laurie
Carnival in Paris
Student Tour
Show-Business at War
Cavalcade of the Academy Awards
Hollywood: Style Center of the World
Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood
The Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind
Take It or Leave It
1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year
The Bride Wore Red