Anecdotes

Was excited about returning to films after 22 years with a role in "The Loved One" in 1965 and looked forward to having a movie career despite her advanced age. When her role was cut from the final release print, it was a major disappointment, but she persevered and won an Oscar three years later for "Rosemary's Baby.".

Was a close friend of actor Bud Cort, with whom she costarred in Harold et Maude (1971).

Natalie Wood was so fond of her that she named her the godmother to her firstborn Natasha Gregson Wagner.

Had an illegitimate son named Jones, born October 16, 1929. The father was Austrian-born film and stage producer Jed Harris. This led to the breakup of Harris' first marriage, which produced no children.

A character based on Gordon was portrayed by Jean Simmons in the movie The Actress (1953).

She has appeared in two films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: Rosemary's Baby (1968) and Harold et Maude (1971). She has also written one film that is in the registry: Madame porte la culotte (1949).

Had one grandson; Jack Gwynne Emmet Harris (b. March 17, 1972).

Twice married, she gave birth to her only child at age 32, to a son, Jones Harris on October 16, 1929. The child's father was Jed Harris, to whom she was not married. Her only grandchild was Jack Gwynne Emmet Harris (b. March 17, 1972).

Her obsession with acting was partly inspired by a performance she attended of "The Pink Lady" at a Boston theater. It starred Hazel Dawn as a seductive Parisian vamp.

Is the only actress to have won both the Best Supporting Actress Oscar (for Rosemary's Baby (1968)) and the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Emmy (for Taxi (1978)).

Was nominated for Broadway's 1956 Tony Award as Best Actress (Dramatic) for portraying Dolly Levi in Thornton Wilder's "The Matchmaker."

Was the 65th actress to receive an Academy Award: she won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Rosemary's Baby (1968) at The 41st Annual Academy Awards (1969) on April 14, 1969.

Alumna of the AADA (American Academy of Dramatic Arts), Class of 1914.

There is a 2009 biography of the lives and careers of the Kanin family (Garson Kanin, Ruth [Gordon], Michael Kanin and Fay Kanin): "A Family Affair - The Kanins in Hollywood and on Broadway," written by Josh Kanin (her nephew by marriage) and Wayne Lindholm.

Great Aunt of Brian Laporte whose full name is Brian Ruth Laporte in honor of his Great Aunt.

She married twice in her lifetime, and strangely enough with men who had the same initial letters on their name: GK. Garson Kanin and Gregory Kelly.

Ruth Gordon, in the 1950s, was investigated by the FBI merely for signing a pledge to boycott Washington theatres that banned African Americans from attending performances.

Biography in "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives, Volume One: 1981-1985," pp. 330-332. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1998.

She was the earliest born host of Saturday Night Live (1975).

Never appeared in a film nominated for the Best Picture Oscar.