Ruth Gordon Jones (October 30, 1896 – August 28, 1985) was an American actress, screenwriter and playwright. Gordon began her career performing on Broadway at age nineteen. Known for her nasal voice and distinctive personality, she gained international recognition and critical acclaim for film roles that continued into her seventies and eighties. Her later work included performances in Rosemary's Baby (1968), Where's Poppa? (1970), Harold and Maude (1971), Every Which Way but Loose (1978) and Any Which Way You Can (1980). In addition to her acting career, Gordon wrote numerous plays, film scripts, and books, most notably co-writing the screenplay for the 1949 film Adam's Rib. Gordon won an Oscar, an Emmy, and two Golden Globe Awards for her acting, as well as received three Academy Award nominations for her writing.

Filmography

• 1987The Trouble with Spies — Mrs. Arkwright
• 1985Maxie — Mrs. Lavin
• 1984Delta Pi — Mugsy
• 1984The Secret World of the Very Young — Mary
• 1984Voyage of the Rock Aliens — The Sheriff
• 1982Don't Go to Sleep — Bernice
• 1982Jimmy the Kid — Bernice
• Newhart — Blanche Devane
• 1980Any Which Way You Can — Ma Boggs
• 1980Hardhat & Legs — Grandmother, Screenplay
• 1980My Bodyguard — Gramma
• 1979Boardwalk — Becky Rosen
• 1979Scavenger Hunt — Arvilla Droll
• 1978Every Which Way but Loose — Ma Boggs
• 1978Perfect Gentlemen — Ms. Cavagarno
• Taxi — Dee Wilcox
• The Love Boat — Mrs. Warner
• 1977The Prince of Central Park — Mrs. Miller
• 1976Look What's Happened to Rosemary's Baby — Minnie Castevet
• 1976The Big Bus — Old Lady
• 1976The Great Houdinis — Cecilia Weiss
• Medical Story — Emily Dobson
• Rhoda
• Adam's Rib — Story, Creator
• 1973Isn't It Shocking? — Marge Savage
• Kojak — Miss Eudora Temple
• Emergency! — Lenore
• Columbo — Abigail Mitchell
• 1971Harold and Maude — Maude
• 1970Where’s Poppa? — Mrs. Hocheiser
• 1969What Ever Happened to Aunt Alice? — Mrs Dimmock
• 1968Rosemary's Baby — Minnie Castevet
• 1967Rosie! — Theatre Play
• 1966Blithe Spirit — Madame Arcati
• 1966Inside Daisy Clover — The Dealer - Mrs. Clover
• 1966Lord Love a Duck — Stella Bernard
• 1954The Matchmaker — Mrs. Levi
• 1953The Actress — Writer
• 1952Pat and Mike — Screenplay
• 1952The Marrying Kind — Writer
• Hallmark Hall of Fame — Madame Arcati
• 1949Adam's Rib — Screenplay
• The Ford Theatre Hour — Writer
• 1948Years Ago — Writer
• 1947A Double Life — Screenplay
• 1945Over 21 — Theatre Play
• 1943Action in the North Atlantic — Mrs. Sarah Jarvis
• 1943Edge of Darkness — Anna Stensgard
• 1941Two-Faced Woman — Ruth Ellis
• 1940Abe Lincoln in Illinois — Mary Todd Lincoln
• 1940Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet — Mrs. Ehrlich
• 1915The Whirl of Life — Dancer

Appearances as themselves (12)

• 1987The Ten-Year Lunch — Herself - Participant
• 1982Natalie - A Tribute to a Very Special Lady — Self
• 1982Night of 100 Stars — Self
• Saturday Night Live — Self - Host
• Film '72 — Self
• The Flip Wilson Show — Self
• The Dick Cavett Show — Self - Guest
• The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson — Self
• The Mike Douglas Show — Self
• The Oscars — Self
• The Ed Sullivan Show — Self
• 1940Information Please Series 2, No. 2 — Self - Guest Expert