Thelma Ritter

Thelma Ritter (February 14, 1902 – February 5, 1969) was an American character actress. A strong New York accent, her diminutive size, and plain look favored working-class roles, earning her a Tony Award and six Academy award nominations, more than any other actress in the Best Supporting Actress category. These nominations were for her performances in All About Eve (1950), The Mating Season (1951), With a Song in My Heart (1952), Pickup on South Street (1953), Pillow Talk (1959), and Birdman of Alcatraz (1962). Her other notable film roles include in Miracle on 34th Street (1947), Rear Window (1954), The Misfits (1961), and How the West Was Won (1962). Ritter shared the 1958 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in the musical New Girl in Town with co-star Gwen Verdon. She received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series nomination for Goodyear Television Playhouse in 1956. Early and family life Ritter was born in Brooklyn, New York, on February 14, 1902, the first child of Charles and Lucy Ritter. Her father was a bookkeeper, later an office manager.