Ruth Terry (September 20 1914 – November 14 2008) was an American actress and singer active primarily in the 1930s and 1940s. She is best known for her work in musical films produced by Paramount Pictures and for her performances as a vocalist with popular big‑band orchestras of the era.
Early life and education
Ruth Mae Terry was born in Benton, Arkansas, United States. Details of her early education and family background are limited in the public record.
Career
Music
Terry began her entertainment career as a vocalist on radio programs, gaining prominence as a singer with the Kay Kyser Orchestra. Her work with Kyser led to nationwide exposure and contributed to her subsequent contract with a major film studio.
Film
In 1941, Terry signed a contract with Paramount Pictures. She appeared in several musical and comedy features during the early 1940s. Notable among these is the Technicolor operetta The Desert Song (1943), in which she performed alongside other Paramount contract players. She also starred in (Insufficient Encyclopedic Information) other studio productions, contributing both acting and singing performances.
Later work
After her film career waned in the late 1940s, Terry returned to stage and television work, including occasional guest appearances on variety programs. She retired from active performance in the 1950s.
Personal life
Ruth Terry married actor and director (Insufficient Encyclopedic Information). The couple had (Insufficient Encyclopedic Information) children.
Death
Ruth Terry died on November 14 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the age of 94.
Legacy
Although not a leading star of her era, Terry is remembered for her contributions to the golden‑age of Hollywood musical cinema and for her association with prominent big‑band orchestras of the early twentieth century. Her performances continue to be of interest to scholars of American popular music and film history.