Talk about living in style, the gorgeous and timeless actress and starlet, RUTA LEE, invited me to her luxurious mansion in Beverly Hills on a Friday afternoon. The following discussion took place.
Colton
Ruta, you’ve accomplished so much in your life. Do you ever reach a point where you feel like you’ve done just about everything you set out for or is there always that next thing?
Ruta
I’m still looking toward that “Academy Award role”.
Colton
You spoke recently at the public memorial for Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher. Debbie and you worked together for decades in The Thalians. Tell us a bit about The Thalians and how you and Debbie ended up teaming up together.
Ruta
She recognized early on, that I (like herself) wanted to share my blessings, big and small, by helping others in the only way we knew how. Singing, dancing,and selling the idea that GIVING can also be FUN!!
Colton
Did Debbie ever offer you advice about your career and/or life? If so, can you share?
Ruta
She said save some energy for yourself…I still haven’t learned that!!
Colton
Is there a role you’ve had in mind that you would love to play right now?
Ruta
OH…..to be cast 4 camera series……in something like a new version The Golden Girls …. what a joy! And I’m old enough now! On stage ….played these ladies before…can happily play them again….DOLLY….MAME….MS MONA
Colton
Stage has played an important role in your career. Is there anything specific or unique that you do differently when approaching a stage play versus screen?
Ruta
YUP……Make contact from the stage with every member of the audience! Eye to eye….heart to heart.
Colton
You have close ties to DFW through your stage work in Fort Worth at the Casa. Do you have a favorite role that you played there?
Ruta
Every show I ever played there was pure pleasure….Except for LORELEI, pure hell!!!…too many 30 second costume changes Love my TX audiences…..They come in ready for FUN!
Colton
What do you think of the entertainment industry model of today verses when you started out?
Ruta
There’s No Business like show BUSINESS…..that’s what it is now….all BUSINESS and very little HEART!
Colton
If by some twist of fate, you’d never gotten into the show business, what do you think you would be doing right now? What would be your other dream career?
Ruta
Operating a small zoo… or greeting people, restaurant, the UN, cruises, PSYCO ward???? HEAVEN! But not for a loooong while yet!