by This weekend marked the anniversary of the passing of Ruth Gordon. When she died of a stroke on Aug. 28, 1985, at the age of 88, she left behind a treasure trove of screenplays and landmark comedic performances.
Among my all-time favorite movies is 1968’s Rosemary’s Baby. As the film’s two-hour length progresses, it grows continuously more disturbing and unnerving. Gordon’s oft-hilarious performance (which earned her an Academy Award) lightens the tension perfectly.
Another cult favorite I love is 1971’s Harold and Maude. Gordon’s performance in this movie is often recognized as the closest to her personality in real life, and always listed as a fan favorite.
this scene from Harold and Maude always cracks me up!
And no one can ever forget her banter with an orangutan in Clint Eastwood’s Every Which Way But Loose and Any Which Way You Can!
see Ruth vs. the motorcycle gang in Every Which Way But Loose here! (warning: there is some language…she has a mouth on her!)
In addition to her 70s “eccentric old lady” performances, many people do not realize she also had a lengthy career dating back to 1915, including many Broadway performances as well as work as a screenwriter (she was nominated for an Academy Award for her movies A Double Life, Adam’s Rib, and Pat and Mike). She also gave memorable and heartwarming performances in My Bodyguard and Scavenger Hunt (both great movies if you can find them).
I always loved Gordon’s rebellion against stereotypes all throughout her life and career. She refused to be the quiet and docile young actress, and she completely rejected the idea that senior actresses needed to be family-friendly and “grandmotherly.”
She was anything but, and her legacy of work continues to make me smile and laugh.
