Ruth Stonehouse

Ruth Stonehouse started her show-business career early: she was a dancer in shows in Douglas, Arizona, at the age of eight. She grew up to be more than just an entertainer, however; she was an astute businesswoman and, with Gilbert M. 'Broncho Billy' Anderson and George K. Spoor, started Essanay Studios, for which she made more than 100 films. She signed with Universal in 1916, and not only starred in films but also wrote and directed many of her own, quite an accomplishment in those days. She began working for other studios in 1919, and alternated between making films for majors like Universal and Paramount and minors like Arrow, FBO and Associated Producers. She retired with the coming of sound.