Ruth King

Ruth King

Actor

Active: 1924

About Ruth King

Ruth King was an American actress who appeared during the silent film era, with her only known credited role being in the 1924 MGM production 'He Who Gets Slapped.' This film was notable as the first production made entirely under the newly formed Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio banner and starred the legendary Lon Chaney in the lead role. King played a minor character in this dramatic circus-themed film, which was one of the most critically acclaimed films of 1924. Unfortunately, like many supporting actors from the silent era, detailed records of her career and life are scarce. Her brief film career appears to have been confined to this single production, after which she seemingly vanished from the film industry. The lack of additional film credits or biographical information suggests she may have been either a bit player, an extra who received a one-time credit, or someone who pursued acting only briefly before moving on to other endeavors.

The Craft

Milestones

  • Appeared in 'He Who Gets Slapped' (1924), the first film produced entirely by MGM

Best Known For

Must-See Films

  • He Who Gets Slapped (1924)

Working Relationships

Studios

  • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Why They Matter

Impact on Culture

Ruth King's cultural impact is minimal due to her extremely brief film career, limited to a single appearance in a notable silent film. Her contribution represents the many anonymous or barely documented performers who populated early Hollywood productions, serving as background players and minor characters in films that would become classics. While her individual legacy is negligible, she was part of the ensemble that helped create one of the most significant films of 1924 and MGM's inaugural production.

Lasting Legacy

Ruth King's legacy is essentially that of a footnote in film history - an actress whose name appears in the credits of an important silent film but about whom little else is known. She represents the countless performers who briefly appeared during Hollywood's formative years before disappearing from public record. Her single film credit serves as a reminder of the transient nature of early Hollywood careers and the many stories that remain untold from cinema's earliest decades.

Who They Inspired

Due to her limited filmography and the minor nature of her role, Ruth King had no discernible influence on other actors or directors. Her brief appearance in a notable film places her among the many forgotten faces of silent cinema who contributed to the art form without leaving a lasting mark on its development or subsequent generations of performers.

Off Screen

Very little is known about Ruth King's personal life, as she appears to have been a minor figure in Hollywood who left no significant biographical record.

Did You Know?

  • Appeared in the first film produced entirely by MGM Studios
  • Her only known film credit is from 1924
  • Worked alongside Lon Chaney in her only film
  • Part of a circus-themed melodrama that was critically acclaimed
  • Like many silent era bit players, her biographical details have been lost to time
  • The film she appeared in was based on a Russian play by Leonid Andreyev
  • Her character name is not widely documented in surviving film records

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Ruth King?

Ruth King was an American actress from the silent film era who appeared in only one known film, 'He Who Gets Slapped' (1924), which was the first production made entirely by MGM Studios.

What films is Ruth King best known for?

Ruth King is known for her single film appearance in 'He Who Gets Slapped' (1924), a dramatic circus film starring Lon Chaney that was critically acclaimed upon its release.

When was Ruth King born and when did she die?

Unfortunately, Ruth King's birth and death dates are not documented in available historical records, which was common for minor actors in the silent era.

What awards did Ruth King win?

There are no records of Ruth King receiving any awards or nominations for her brief film career.

What was Ruth King's acting style?

Due to the limited documentation of her work and her minor role in a single film, there is insufficient information to determine her specific acting style or techniques.

Learn More

Films

1 film