Actress. Popular in 'Little Old Lady' roles. Ruth McDevitt was born Ruth Thane Shoecraft in Coldwater, Michigan on September 13, 1895. She appeared in nearly every branch of the entertainment media starting on stage and then radio, graduating to the movies and then TV. She was perfect for the LOL roles with her sweet demeanor, silver-white hair and warbly little voice. She attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts to train as a serious actress but she met a widower named Patrick John McDevitt, was married and decided to devote all of her time to him. Upon his death in 1934 she began to focus on her dream of becoming an actress again. She took the usual route of working in community theater and eventually made it to the Broadway stage. This was in the late 1930s and she also worked in radio at that time. Later she made her television and film debuts. Among the films in which she appeared were: "The Guy Who Came Back" (1951) as Grandma, her film debut; "The Long, Long Trailer" (1954) with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz; "The Parent Trap" (1961) as Miss Inch; "Boys Night Out" (1962) as Beulah Partridge; "The Birds" (1963) as Mrs. MacGruder; "Love Is a Ball" (1963) as Mathilda; "Dear Heart"(1964) as Miss Tait ; "The Shakiest Gun in the West" (1968) as Olive; "The Love God" (1969) as Miss Keezy; "Angel in My Pocket" (1969) as Nadine; "Change of Habit" (1969) as Lily; The Out of Towners" (1970); "The War Between Men and Women" (1972) as Old Woman; "Mixed Company" (1974) as Miss Bergquist; "Homebodies" (1974) as Mrs. Loomis and "Mame" (1974) as Cousin Fan. On TV she was a regular on "Pistols n' Petticoats" (1966-67) as Grandma; "Kolchak: the Night Stalker" (1974-75) as Emily Cowles and "Mr. Peepers" (1953-55) as Mom Peepers. Her acting career lasted over 40 years.