Trivia

Since her mother was born in Kentucky, she always thought she was a United States citizen. It was not until the 1950s when she made plans to visit Europe that she discovered she was not. She later officially got her citizenship papers in order and became one.

Hollywood, California: Attended the TCM Classic Film Festival, where she walked the red carpet and attended the 50th anniversary premiere of Un Américain à Paris (1951). (April 2011)

Although Waterfront Lady (1935) is usually listed as Ann Rutherford's first film, her first film was actually Student Tour (1934), where she played one of the young female students, and acted under the name "Joan Arlen". Ann's sister was an aspiring actress and performed under the name Judith Arlen. When a phone call came to the house for "Miss Arlen" to audition for this Jimmy Durante film, Ann said she was "Miss Arlen" and went to the audition instead of her sister. Ann recalled that when she and the other attractive actresses would pose for stills with Durante, she would position herself to play with a wisp of his hair. Durante played along, and you would see his gaze fixed on Joan Arlen soon to be known as Ann Rutherford.

Her first big break came after being contracted to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and was given the recurring role of girlfriend Polly Benedict in the "Andy Hardy" film series starring Mickey Rooney from 1937 to 1942.

She was awarded 2 Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Motion Pictures at 6834 Hollywood Boulevard; and for Television at 6331 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.

Naturalized United States citizen since December 18, 1953.

Williamsburg, Virginia: Attended the annual Film Festival where she spoke at length about her career and about Autant en emporte le vent (1939). (March 2011)

Came from an acting family. Her father, John Defferin Rutherford, was a Metropolitan Opera singer and her mother, Lucille Mansfield, was a cousin of actor Richard Mansfield and herself a former silent screen actress.

Guest of Honor at the Margaret Mitchell Birthday Celebration in Jonesboro, Georgia in celebration of Autant en emporte le vent (1939). Signed autographs and shared memories for 100 fans at the event. (October 2004)

On stage from age 4 in a local production of "Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch".

Member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences [Actors Branch].

Following her death, she was cremated and her ashes returned to her daughter, Gloria May, who died just over a year after her mother, aged 69, on October 18, 2013 at her home in San Francisco. May was survived by her own two sons, Tom and David Voeller.

Stepmother of Debbie Dozier and Robert Dozier. Mother of Gloria May.

She is a pivotal character in the mystery novel, "Dead at the Box Office" by John Dandola, which is set during the world premiere of La Vie de Thomas Edison (1940).

Younger sister of actress Judith Arlen.

Ann appeared at the Williamsburg Film Festival in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia in 2003 and 2011.

She was married to TV producer William Dozier ("Batman", "The Green Hornet").