Born Ruth Carol O'Rourke in Providence, RI; educated at the University of Michigan School of Drama. Leading lady of Hollywood films of the 1940s. She started out as fashion commentator on a local radio station and later worked in New York as a Powers model. After several stage roles with touring companies she was signed by MGM to a five-year movie contract and made her film debut in 1937 (uncredited in BIG CITY). Following a number of minor roles, she became established in the early 40s as one of the studio's second-rung leading ladies, typically playing elegant, sophisticated, knowing women. She was nominated for an Oscar® for her supporting role as a cynical magazine photographer in THE PHILADELPHIA STORY (1940) but enjoyed her greatest success on the stage in 1945, when she starred opposite Ralph Bellamy in the Broadway production of State of the Union. She subsequently returned to the screen in only occasional roles, but remained active in television in both series and made-for-TV movies.  Nominated for Supporting Actress 1940: THE PHILADELPHIA STORY 1 nomination