Phyllis Ruth was born on 16 (possibly 14) March 1922, in Pasadena, California. When she was still a baby, her parents divorced, and in 1926, her mother remarried, and the family moved to Los Angeles. Her early ambition was to become a singer, and before she even graduated high school, the petite blonde was performing in various local bands. She soon set her sights on acting, however, and in 1929, she signed a contract with Paramount Pictures. She was small and pretty, and it seemed she was destined for big things. Unfortunately, while the company considered her both beautiful and talented, Pyllis never found the success she sought. She kept her weight under 100 pounds, and every day she pounded on the doors of local agents and casting directors, but for all of her beauty, charm, hustle and pluck, Phyllis only landed nine roles, mostly in light, frothy comedies, often starring her friend,…
