Ruby Keeler

Date of Birth: August 25, 1909

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: February 28, 1993

Biography

Ruby Keeler was an American actress, singer, and dancer best known for her roles in early Hollywood musicals. Born Ethel Hilda Keeler in Halifax, Nova Scotia, she moved with her family to New York City at a young age. Her career began in the chorus lines of Broadway, where she caught the eye of producer Florenz Ziegfeld. She made her film debut in “42nd Street” (1933), which became an iconic musical and cemented her status as a star. Keeler’s dancing style, characterized by her energetic tap routines, captivated audiences and led to a series of successful films throughout the 1930s. She married Al Jolson, a major entertainment figure, in 1928, which further boosted her public profile. Although her film career waned by the late 1930s, she made a triumphant return to Broadway in the 1970s. Ruby Keeler passed away in 1993, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most beloved performers of her era.

5 Interesting Facts about Ruby Keeler

1. Ruby Keeler was the first wife of legendary entertainer Al Jolson.

2. She retired from Hollywood at the height of her career in 1941 to focus on her family.

3. Keeler made a successful comeback to Broadway in the 1970s with the revival of “No, No, Nanette.”

4. She was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 1983.

5. Keeler’s film “42nd Street” is considered one of the most influential musicals, helping to define the genre.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Ruby Keeler

1. “I always wanted to be a dancer, but I never dreamed it would be like this.”

2. “You have to love dancing to stick to it. It gives you nothing back, no manuscripts to store away, no paintings to show on walls and maybe hang in museums, no poems to be printed and sold, nothing but that single fleeting moment when you feel alive.”

3. “I didn’t want to be a star. I wanted to be a dancer.”

4. “When I look back at my career, I’m amazed at the opportunities I had.”

5. “The secret to happiness is doing what you love and being who you are.”