At Ruta Lee's Mansion

Talk about living in style, the gorgeous and timeless actress and starlet, RUTA LEE, invited me to her luxurious mansion in Beverly Hills on a Friday afternoon. The following discussion took place.

Colton

Ruta, you’ve accomplished so much in your life. Do you ever reach a point where you feel like you’ve done just about everything you set out for or is there always that next thing?

Ruta

I’m still looking toward that “Academy Award role”.

Colton

You spoke recently at the public memorial for Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher. Debbie and you worked together for decades in The Thalians. Tell us a bit about The Thalians and how you and Debbie ended up teaming up together.

Ruta

She recognized early on, that I (like herself) wanted to share my blessings, big and small, by helping others in the only way we knew how. Singing, dancing,and selling the idea that GIVING can also be FUN!!

Colton

Did Debbie ever offer you advice about your career and/or life? If so, can you share?

Ruta

She said save some energy for yourself…I still haven’t learned that!!

Colton

Is there a role you’ve had in mind that you would love to play right now?

Ruta

OH…..to be cast 4 camera series……in something like a new version The Golden Girls ….  what a joy! And I’m old enough now! On stage ….played these ladies before…can happily play them again….DOLLY….MAME….MS MONA

Colton

Stage has played an important role in your career. Is there anything specific or unique that you do differently when approaching a stage play versus screen?

Ruta

YUP……Make contact from the stage with every member of the audience! Eye to eye….heart to heart.

Colton

You have close ties to DFW through your stage work in Fort Worth at the Casa. Do you have a favorite role that you played there?

Ruta

Every show I ever played there was pure pleasure….Except for LORELEI,  pure hell!!!…too many 30 second costume changes  Love my TX audiences…..They come in ready for FUN!

Colton

What do you think of the entertainment industry model of today verses when you started out?

Ruta

There’s No Business like show BUSINESS…..that’s what it is now….all BUSINESS and very little HEART!

Colton

If by some twist of fate, you’d never gotten into the show business, what do you think you would be doing right now? What would be your other dream career?

Ruta

Operating a small zoo… or greeting people,  restaurant, the UN, cruises,  PSYCO ward????  HEAVEN!  But not for a loooong while yet!