Ruth Bailey

Ruth Emilissa Bailey[1] (June 8, 1905[2] - September 20, 1989) was an American actress on stage and on old-time radio. After her acting years, she became a producer at a theater in Cincinnati.

Ruth Bailey
BornJune 8, 1905
Died
September 20, 1989
OccupationActress

Early years

Bailey was born in Pittsburgh.[2] Her father was an official with the New York Central Railroad. Her parents were opposed to her having a career in acting, but she studied at the Goodman School of Theater in Chicago anyway[3] in addition to attending Vassar College.[2]

Career

Bailey gained acting experience at the Pasadena Playhouse and, while in California, made some short films.[4] Her career developed further after she moved to Chicago, where she performed on stage and radio.[5] Her radio roles included Alice Day on Woman in White,[6] Rose on Guiding Light,[7] and Rose Kransky on The Right to Happiness.[7]:284 Other programs on which she appeared included Jane's Grief,[8] Bachelor's Children, Today's Children, and Girl Alone.[9]

Bailey performed on television in Cincinnati, including having the role of Death Valley Daisy, hostess of WLWT's broadcasts of Western films[3] and starring in The Storm on WKRC.[8]

In 1955, Bailey founded Cherry County Playhouse in Traverse City, Michigan. The theater used a resident company of actors supplemented by stars of film and television.[5] Bailey was a hands-on producer, selecting stars, selecting plays, and negotiating contracts, among other responsibilities.[3] She sold the theater in 1975.[5]

Her other business activities included serving as president and manager of E & J Swigart Co. in Cincinnati.[8]

Personal life

On April 12, 1939, Bailey married attorney Eugene Swigart Jr.[10] They moved to Cincinnati in 1947.[5] She was active in civic affairs in Cincinnati, including working with the Cincinnati Garden Center, the Modern Art Society, the Women's Committee of the Symphony,[3] and the School for the Creative and Performing Arts.[8]

Death

On September 20, 1989, Bailey died at age 84 at her home in the Mount Lookout neighborhood of Cincinnati.[8]

References
  1. "Car Named After Her". The Evening News. Pennsylvania, Harrisburg. June 21, 1938. p. 14. Retrieved 12 June 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "--And She Did". Harrisburg Telegraph. Pennsylvania, Harrisburg. December 12, 1940. p. 25. Retrieved 12 June 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. Merkel, Jayne (July 1972). "She's the Producer". Cincinnati. 5 (10): 12, 15–17. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  4. "Highlights For Friday, Feb. 11". Radio Mirror. 9 (5): 49. March 1938. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  5. "Area Producer Sells Theater". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Ohio, Cincinnati. April 3, 1975. p. 11. Retrieved 11 June 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Dale Carnegie In Series on KSD Tuesday". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Missouri, St. Louis. January 9, 1938. p. 40. Retrieved 12 June 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. Terrace, Vincent (1999). Radio Programs, 1924-1984: A Catalog of More Than 1800 Shows. McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 140. ISBN 978-0-7864-4513-4.
  8. Prendergast, Jane (September 21, 1989). "Ruth Robison Swigart, actress". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Ohio, Cincinnati. p. 21. Retrieved 12 June 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. Lee, Mildred (March 18, 1937). "Under Ether". The Courier-Journal. Kentucky, Louisville. p. 28. Retrieved 12 June 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "Behind the Mike". Broadcasting. April 15, 1939. p. 46. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
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