Ruth Stonehouse(1892-1941)
- Actress
- Director
- Writer
Ruth Stonehouse started her show-business career early: she was a
dancer in shows in Douglas, Arizona, at the age of eight. She grew up
to be more than just an entertainer, however; she was an astute
businesswoman and, with Gilbert M. 'Broncho Billy' Anderson and
George K. Spoor, started Essanay Studios, for which she made more than 100
films. She signed with Universal in 1916, and not only starred in films
but also wrote and directed many of her own, quite an accomplishment in
those days. She began working for other studios in 1919, and alternated
between making films for majors like Universal and Paramount and minors
like Arrow, FBO and Associated Producers. She retired with the coming
of sound.
