15 Facts About Ann Rutherford

Therese Ann Rutherford was a Canadian-born American actress in film, radio, and television.

Ann Rutherford had a long career starring and co-starring in films, playing Polly Benedict during the 1930s and 1940s in the Andy Hardy series, and appearing as one of Scarlett O'Hara's sisters, Careen O'Hara in the film Gone with the Wind.

Ann Rutherford's mother was a silent film actress, and her father was a former operatic tenor.

Ann Rutherford falsified an acting history and applied for work at radio station KFAC.

In 1935, Ann Rutherford began her Hollywood film career in the starring role of Joan O'Brien in the dramatic film Waterfront Lady for Mascot Pictures, later to be Republic Pictures.

Ann Rutherford soon established herself as a popular leading lady of Western films at Republic, costarring with actors Gene Autry and John Wayne.

In 1937, Ann Rutherford left Republic and signed a film contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

At MGM, Ann Rutherford appeared as the Spirit of Christmas Past in A Christmas Carol and Lydia Bennet in Pride and Prejudice among other roles.

In December 1939, while promoting the new movie, Ann Rutherford visited six Confederate Army veterans at the Confederate Soldiers Home near Atlanta.

One of the veterans gave Ann Rutherford a rose corsage tied with Confederate colors.

From 1937 until 1942, Ann Rutherford portrayed Polly Benedict in the MGM Andy Hardy youth comedy film series starring Mickey Rooney.

In 1972, Ann Rutherford returned to MGM for a small part in They Only Kill Their Masters, the last major film to be shot on the MGM backlot before it was razed and sold to developers.

Ann Rutherford's final film appearance was a cameo role in Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood.

Ann Rutherford died on June 11,2012, aged 94 at her home in Beverly Hills, California, following declining health due to heart problems.

Ann Rutherford was cremated and her ashes given to her daughter.