Ruth Hiatt, a curly-haired beauty, was born Ruth Redfern, a WAMPAS Baby Star of 1924, and a former child actress, dancer, and comedienne. Born in San Diego, she made her screen debut at the tender age of eleven, shortly after moving to the East Coast with her family. Her early years in the film industry were marked by stints with the Lubin company in 1915, followed by contracts with Educational and Mack Sennett's Keystone. Ruth's natural talent for comedy was nurtured by her close friendship with writer/director Lloyd Bacon, who introduced her to the renowned comedian Lloyd Hamilton.
Hamilton, impressed by Ruth's charming personality, dimpled cheeks, and photogenic looks, cast her in several films, including the iconic Robin Hood (1922). Ruth's breakthrough role came when she starred in a series of one- and two-reel comedies, often opposite comedians like Hamilton and Harry Langdon. Her most notable roles during this period include Going East (1924) and Saturday Afternoon (1926).
At the height of her popularity, Ruth co-starred in all 23 installments of the 'Smith Family' series of domestic comedies, a testament to her enduring appeal. As the 1920s drew to a close, Ruth wisely diversified her repertoire, transitioning seamlessly from silent films to sound. She appeared in a range of genres, from crime dramas like Shanghai Rose (1929) to Ken Maynard westerns like Sunset Trail (1932).
Ruth continued to work in supporting roles, albeit with diminishing frequency, until 1941. Her most notable role during this period was as the 'whispering nurse' in the Oscar-nominated short film Men in Black (1934). After retiring from acting, Ruth established a successful make-up business, cementing her legacy as a talented and versatile performer.
