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Barbara Ruick

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Actress

The Resume

    (December 23, 1930-March 3, 1974)
    Born in Pasadena, California
    Acted in 'Carousel,' 'Apache War Smoke,' 'Cinderella,' and 'California Split'

Why she might be annoying:

    Her early success in radio was largely due to nepotism.
    MGM couldn’t make up their minds if they wanted her to be a leading lady, a supporting actress, or a bit player, and they shifted her between the three constantly during her film career.
    She was unable to translate her success in the film version of ‘Carousel’ into stardom.
    She was married to her first husband, Frank Howren, for less than a year, before having the marriage annulled.
    She divorced her second husband, John Horton, days short of their third anniversary.
    She was an active supporter of Barry Goldwater.
    She is perhaps best remembered for portraying Esmeralda the ‘Ugly Stepsister’ in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s ‘Cinderella’ (paired with Pat Carroll, AKA Ursula the Sea Witch).
    She admitted that her dancing abilities were poor.

Why she might not be annoying:

    She enjoyed a lasting, successful third marriage with Oscar winning composer, John Williams (who she met in High School, before meeting him years later in Hollywood and falling in love).
    She died unexpectedly while filming ‘California Split’ in Nevada, found dead from a cerebral hemorrhage in her hotel room (the film was dedicated to Ruick as a result).
    John Williams composed ‘Treesong,’ a concerto for violin, to cope with the pain of losing her.
    In her autobiography, Mamie Van Doren groups her among ‘the glamour girls from decades past…billed as sex goddesses of their respective eras,’ who would not live past 55 (along with Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield – not necessarily bad company).
    Her rendition of ‘When I Marry Mr. Snow’ from 'Carousel' has been called the definitive version of the song.
    She was good friends with Shirley Jones even before co-starring with her in ‘Carousel’ (they had been roommates starting out in New York City).
    She sang ‘When I Marry Mr. Snow’ at Shirley Jones’ wedding to Jack Cassidy in 1956 (the same year ‘Carousel’ was released).
    Her duet with Pat Carroll, ‘The Stepsisters Lament,’ is widely regarded as superior to the version in the 1997 remake.
    She said, ‘To most actors who have any serious thoughts about a long life in acting, a movie contract can be the kiss of death.’

Credit: BoyWiththeGreenHair


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 7 Votes: 14.29% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 19 Votes: 10.53% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 17 Votes: 58.82% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 26 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 15 Votes: 53.33% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 6 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 13 Votes: 53.85% Annoying