16 Facts About Ruby Keeler

Ruby Keeler retired from show business in the 1940s, but made a widely publicized comeback on Broadway in 1971.

When Ruby Keeler was three years old, her family moved to New York City, where her father could get better pay.

Ruby Keeler attended St Catherine of Siena on New York's East Side, and one period each week, a dance teacher taught all styles of dance.

The teacher saw potential in Keeler and spoke to her mother about Ruby's taking lessons at her studio.

When it was Ruby Keeler's turn to dance, she asked the dance director, Julian Mitchell, if she could dance on the wooden part so that her taps could be heard.

Ruby Keeler did not answer, so she went ahead, walked up to the front of the stage, and started her routine.

Ruby Keeler was noticed by Broadway producer Charles B Dillingham, who gave her a role in Bye, Bye, Bonnie, which ran for six months.

Ruby Keeler then appeared in Lucky and as Mamie in The Sidewalks of New York, produced by Dillingham.

Jolson and Ruby Keeler appeared on Broadway one last time together for the unsuccessful show Hold on to Your Hats.

In 1963, Ruby Keeler appeared in The Greatest Show on Earth, Jack Palance's television series based on the earlier Charlton Heston circus film of the same name, and made a brief cameo in the 1970 film The Phynx.

In 1971, Ruby Keeler was acclaimed as a star again in the successful Broadway revival of the 1920s musical No, No, Nanette, opposite Jack Gilford, Bobby Van, Helen Gallagher, and Patsy Kelly.

Ruby Keeler starred in the musical for two seasons on Broadway, followed by two additional years touring in the show.

Ruby Keeler has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6730 Hollywood Blvd.

Ruby Keeler had two nephews who worked in the film business.

Ruby Keeler was a Republican who supported Dwight Eisenhower's campaign during the 1952 presidential election.

Ruby Keeler died of kidney cancer on February 28,1993, in Rancho Mirage, California, aged 83.