1. Thelma Ritter was an American character actress who, known for her strong New York City accent, diminutive size, and plain look, favored working-class roles.
14 Facts About Thelma Ritter
1. 2.
Thelma Ritter earned a Tony Award and six Academy Award nominations, more than any other actress in the Best Supporting Actress category.
3.
Thelma Ritter received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series nomination for Goodyear Television Playhouse in 1956.
4.
Thelma Ritter was born in Brooklyn, New York, on February 14,1902, the first child of Charles and Lucy Thelma Ritter.
5.
Thelma Ritter's father was a bookkeeper, later an office manager.
6.
At age 11, Thelma Ritter played Puck in a semi-professional dramatic society's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream.
7.
Thelma Ritter made a memorable impression in a brief uncredited part, as a frustrated mother unable to find the toy that Kris Kringle has promised her son.
8.
Thelma Ritter enjoyed steady film work for the next dozen years.
9.
Thelma Ritter's last work was an appearance on The Jerry Lewis Show on January 23,1968.
10.
On January 27,1969, Thelma Ritter suffered a heart attack at her residence in Queens, New York City.
11.
In 2019, Thelma Ritter was listed at number 1 on The Evening Standard list of ten women who changed the face of film forever.
12.
Thelma Ritter received six Academy Award nominations during her career, without a win.
13.
In 1955 Thelma Ritter co-hosted the Oscar ceremony, notably trading wisecracks with Bob Hope.
14.
In 1958, Thelma Ritter won a Tony Award in a rare tie for their work in New Girl.