| |
|---|---|
| Ruth McDevitt | |
| Credits | |
| Roles | Ticheba Miss Parsons Aunt Millicent |
| Biographical Information | |
| Birth Name | Ruth Thane Shoecraft |
| Birthdate | September 13, 1895 |
| Birthplace | Coldwater, Michigan, United States |
| Death Date | May 27, 1976 (age 80) |
| Death Place | Hollywood, California, United States[1] |
Ruth McDevitt was a recurring guest star on Bewitched who played multiple roles, both witch and mortal.
Biography[]
Ruth McDevitt was born Ruth Thane Shoecraft. She appeared in nearly every branch of the entertainment media starting on stage and then radio, graduating to the movies and then television. She was perfect for "little old lady" roles with her sweet demeanor, silver-white hair and warbly little voice. She attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts to train as a serious actress, but she met a widower named Patrick John McDevitt, was married and decided to devote all of her time to him.
Upon his death in 1934 she began to focus on her dream of becoming an actress again. She took the usual route of working in community theater and eventually made it to the Broadway stage. This was in the late 1930s and she also worked in radio at that time. Later she made her television and film debuts. Among the films in which she appeared were: "The Guy Who Came Back" (1951) as Grandma, her film debut; "The Long, Long Trailer" (1954) with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz; "The Parent Trap" (1961) as Miss Inch; "Boys Night Out" (1962) as Beulah Partridge; "The Birds" (1963) as Mrs. MacGruder; "Love Is a Ball" (1963) as Mathilda; "Dear Heart"(1964) as Miss Tait ; "The Shakiest Gun in the West" (1968) as Olive; "The Love God" (1969) as Miss Keezy; "Angel in My Pocket" (1969) as Nadine; "Change of Habit" (1969) as Lily; The Out of Towners" (1970); "The War Between Men and Women" (1972) as Old Woman; "Mixed Company" (1974) as Miss Bergquist; "Homebodies" (1974) as Mrs. Loomis and "Mame" (1974) as Cousin Fan.
On television she was a regular on "Pistols n' Petticoats" (1966-67) as Grandma; "Kolchak: the Night Stalker" (1974-75) as Emily Cowles and "Mr. Peepers" (1953-55) as Mom Peepers.
After an acting career lasting over forty years, Ruth McDevitt died in 1976 from natural causes. She was 80.[2]
Bewitched Credits[]
- Ticheba in "Long Live the Queen"
- Miss Parsons in "Mrs. Stephens, Where Are You?"
- Aunt Millicent in "Samantha's Old Man"
References[]
- ↑ Ruth McDevitt on the Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on December 2, 2019.
- ↑ The Perplexed Historian. Ruth McDevitt memorial on Findagrave.com, February 10, 2005. Retrieved on December 2, 2019.