Melville Ruick

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Actor Melville Ruick was born in Boise, Idaho on July 8, 1898. He studied law at the University of California, but World War I changed him from a student lawyer to a student pilot. Ruick won his wings in the Air Service, Signal Corps, two weeks before the end of the war.

During the lean years of the Depression, Ruick doubled as a bandleader and as an actor in theatrical stock. An offer came from CBS to work as a local radio announcer while Ruick was leading a dance band in Los Angeles. He later won an audition for the spot of announcer on the CBS radio show Lux Radio Theater, staying with the show for 6 years.

During World War II, Ruick returned to uniform as a captain in the USAFF, attached to the Radio Production Unit as a producer-director. After the war, Ruick reentered show business, touring with Leo Carillo in a revival of The Bad Man. While trying his luck on Broadway, Ruick received an offer to direct Paul Whiteman’s radio show for the National Guard.

Finally, came TV. Ruick starred as Dr. Barton Crane on the dramatic CBS series City Hospital in 1951. Ruick also guest-starred in a number of popular 1960s shows such as The Fugitive, The Wild Wild West and The Invaders.

He was married to actress Lurene Tuttle and is the father of actress Barbara Ruick. He was also the father-in-law of composer-conductor John Williams.

Ruick died in Los Angeles on December 24, 1972.

Categories: 1898 births | 1972 deaths | People from Idaho | People from Boise, IdahoHidden categories: Articles lacking sources from November 2007 | All articles lacking sources