Ann Rutherford

Ann Rutherford

Ann Rutherford Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jun. 12, 2012.
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Ann Rutherford, the demure brunette who played the sweetheart in the long-running Andy Hardy series and Scarlett O'Hara's youngest sister in "Gone With the Wind," has died. She was 94.

A close friend, Anne Jeffreys, told the Los Angeles Times that Rutherford died Monday night at her home in Beverly Hills. She had heart problems and was in declining health.

The Andy Hardy series, a hugely popular string of comical, sentimental films, Mickey Rooney as a spirited teen. Rutherford first appeared in the second film of the series, "You're Only Young Once," and went on for 11 more. She played Polly Benedict, the ever-faithful girlfriend Andy always returned to after a more glamorous girl caught his eye. (Among the other girls: Judy Garland and Lana Turner.)

It was said Rutherford won the part of Carreen, the youngest of the three O'Hara sisters in "Gone With the Wind," because Judy Garland was filming "The Wizard of Oz."

Ru therford told the Times in 2010 that MGM head Louis B. Mayer was going to refuse her the role, calling it "a nothing part." But Rutherford, who was a fan of the novel, burst into tears and he relented.

She's the sister who, early in the film, begs to be allowed to go to the ball at Ashley Wilkes' plantation. "Oh, Mother, can't I stay up for the ball tomorrow? ... I'm 13 now," she says in a sweet voice.

In 1989, she was one of 10 surviving "Gone With the Wind" cast members who gathered in Atlanta for the film's 50th anniversary.

"Anyone who had read the book sensed they were into something that would belong to the ages, and everyone was in a frenzy to read the book," she said.

Rutherford concurred with other cast members that no matter what else they had done, "Our obituary will say we were in 'Gone With the Wind' and we'll be proud of it."

Rutherford was born in 1917, according to the voter records reviewed by The Associated Press. Some sources g ive other dates. The daughter of an opera tenor and an actress, she began performing on stage as a child. She largely retired from the screen in 1950.

Rutherford recalled that the night of the "Gone With the Wind" premiere in Atlanta, author Margaret Mitchell invited the cast, including Leigh and co-star Clark Gable, to her home for scrambled eggs. Gable and Mitchell disappeared.

"Clark Gable and Margaret were hiding in the bathroom, Clark on the edge of the tub and Margaret you know where, just talking," she chuckled. "They had to get away from the photographers."

___

This report includes biographical material written by former AP writer Polly Anderson.


Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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87 Entries

Harry Simpson

June 11, 2016

Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us. Godspeed.

Jim Raney

July 9, 2012

I've had a crush on Ann Rutherford since I first discovered her as a kid in the 1950s. Back then, the Andy Hardy series was shown on television. The camera loved her; when she was in the scene, everyone else disappeared and all I saw was that beautiful, flirtatious face. But, it was more than her good looks; she had an energy, a spirit - call it an aura - that was unique. Her passing saddens me more tan I can say.

Jeanette

July 5, 2012

Those who die God keeps in his memory because they are precious in his eyes - Psalm 116:15.

Jim Jordan

July 4, 2012

Ann was a charming sweetheart from that wonderful era, an era only to be remembered and relived through old movies. So long Ann, and thanks.

Sue Poppell

July 3, 2012

To Gloria and Ann's two grandsons…though you will never know me, please know that I am deeply saddened to learn of your mother's and grandmother's death . I have loved every movie, interview, amateur video, TV clip, newspaper article…just anything I can find about this wonderful lady. My whole life I've heard little stories about our beautiful cousin (related on the Mansfield side of the family) and I always fantasized I would get to meet her one day. I tried literally for years to find a way to write or to call her and at the very least become her pen pal (showing my age). That's okay though because I, like thousands of her fans, will continue to enjoy…actually treasure…the many movies she made and will always love her beautiful spirit.

Sincerely,

Sue Anne Poppell
Quincy, Florida

DeeAnne Hedrick

July 3, 2012

You are one of the actresses I looked up to. As a matter of fact, I wanted to be an actress just like you, I'm glad one of us was able to enjoy the pleasures of acting:).Rest in peace beautiful lady,it's time to rest. My sympathy and prayers goes out to the family and friends of Ann Rutherford.

Katherine Boyd

June 18, 2012

I love all her movies,they represent a time that keeps you coming back for more,her movies beat out movies of today,Thanks for the Memories.K Boyd

Kim Fountain

June 17, 2012

My sympathy & prayers goes out to the family & friends of Ann Rutherford.

June 16, 2012

Please accept our deepest condolences. May the GOD of all comfort, comfort your family in this time of grief. (IS 25:8) ATLANTA. GA.I

Danna Breaux

June 15, 2012

One of my favorite actresses of that era. I love black/white anything!!!! but especially a good Andy Hardy program.
Danna
Houma, LA

cher

June 15, 2012

Love your acting.

June 15, 2012

I loved Ann in 'Gone with the wind'...this movie was my 1st one to see...our eighth grade class went together to see it many many years ago!!...excellent actress & movie!! God bless you Ann...rest in peace with our savior!

Brenda George

June 15, 2012

Ann was a very nice lady. I met her in
2008 in Marietta, Ga. She will be missed
at all the GWTW functions.

alez sandoval

June 15, 2012

She was a wonderful actress

allison bowe

June 14, 2012

ijustloved gone with the wind rest in peace ann rutherford i also send my condolances to the family and friends

shirley mills

June 14, 2012

the heavens gates open for a wonderful talented beloved lady may god's grace be with you at time and always

elaine amburgey

June 14, 2012

i loved gone with the wind,watched many timesthey where all good,.im sorry i know the family will missthere love one godbless be with you.all.amen elaineamburgey

June 14, 2012

She was very pretty. i'm glad she got the part in Gone With the Wind..

Betty Cook, Texas

Freddy Cheers

June 14, 2012

Rest in peace, Ann rutherford!!!

June 14, 2012

May you rest in peace

Edward Boemmels

June 14, 2012

Sorry for your loss
She was great

June 14, 2012

My sincere condolences to the Rutherford family. The death of a love one is grievous, may you find comfort and strength in God's word at Psalms 55:22.

jem D. Florida

Olga P.

June 14, 2012

My condolences to the Rutherford family. May you find comfort from God's word recorded at Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10 regarding the loss of your loved one.

KEN&MARY O'DANIEL

June 14, 2012

WE ARE SENDING OUR LOVE,PRAYERS,&CONDOLENCES TO THE RUTHERFORD FAMILY,FRIENDS,FANS,&ALL WHO KNEW ANN.

June 14, 2012

She touched the lives of so many. May she rest in peace. Romans 15:33

ms

June 14, 2012

So sorry for your loss. May the God who gives peace be with you all.

June 14, 2012

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

mary townsend

June 14, 2012

I have my own copy of gone with the wind and watch it often best movie ever made.

Rhonda Cowan

June 13, 2012

Thank you so much for all the time you gave to your Gone With The Wind fans, we so appreciated your meeting with us and always sharing memories of the film. God bless you and keep you, you will be missed.

Adrian Barnette

June 13, 2012

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

Wayne Brasler

June 13, 2012

A truly original talent. There was no one like her. She could play anything--drama, comedy and everything in-between, including "A Christmas Carol." At M-G-M she was popular with everyone, I think because she was always herself, never a phony, and she said what she meant. She drifted through the years with her beauty maturing with loveliness. Above all, she was smart! Now she belongs to legend, and that legend will now continue to grow.

J Jones

June 13, 2012

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

June 13, 2012

Warm thoughts and offerings of concern from the heart. May Ann's most beautiful and timeless memories honor her unique life.
"For the wages sin pays is death, but the gift God gives is everlasting life by Christ Jesus our Lord" *Romans 6:23
S.Bova Palm Beach Gardens,FL 33418

Nancy Jones

June 13, 2012

I first saw GWTW in Troon, Scotland; next time in Tonopah, Nevada; Oklahoma City; McGrath, Alaska and finally in my own living room..I have my own copy. My condolences to Ms. Rutherford's family.

Laurie Henderson-Thompson

June 13, 2012

I had the honor of meeting Ms Rutherford about a year ago at my son's college, Kent State. What a lovely and friendly lady.

Ken Dennis

June 13, 2012

My deepest sympathies to Miss Rutherford's family. I had the great pleasure of interviewing her several times via telephone. What a delight she was, always having a candid response followed by a hearty laugh. It was a special treat finally getting to meet her in Williamsburg, Va., in March of last year.
Peace now, Annie. The world is a better place for your having been in it.

Pamela Routt

June 13, 2012

So sorry to hear of Ann's passing. She was a great actress. Loved her in Gone With The Wind and the Andy Hardy movies. She was so pretty and she will be missed. It is so sad that another Hollywood Golden Age actress has left us.

JO DARLING

June 13, 2012

My deepest sympathy to the family. I still watch GWTW everytime TCM plays it. It was and is and amazing piece of art! Thanks for the memories.

Cathy

June 13, 2012

I loved Gone With The Wind. Ms Rutherford was a great actress. In Your Only Young Once I felt she played the part as if she were actually living the part. This is a great loss.

Rubincams

June 13, 2012

We will never forget the wonderful lunch we enjoyed with you in Beverly Hills--how you drove us throughout your neighborhood, entertaining us with great tales of your famous neighbors and then opening your glamorous home to us to visit that day! Dear Ann, we will miss you but always have your movies. Our deepest condolences go out to your family, friends and legion of admirers.

Lee Fasch

June 13, 2012

As a youngster I saw many of your films including the Westerns also. You were just great in all of them. Thank you for sharing your talent with the world. Condolences to your family. RIP Ms. Rutherford !!

June 13, 2012

Gone With The Wind was the best movie ever made. Enjoyed watching you playing Scarlett's Sister. God Bless You and Rest in Peace.

Georgana Repal - Houston Texas

ruthanne jenkins

June 13, 2012

I love GWTW. Not sure if I saw in the Andy Hardy series, saw some, but that was with Judy Garland.

RIP Ann

Grace Kennedy

June 13, 2012

Always loved to watch Ann Rutherford on screen. Besides GWTW and the Andy Hardy series, my favorite of her films was Orchestra Wives. RIP.

June 13, 2012

Ms Rutherford all i say now is "Rest in arms of the Lord." Thank you for your wonderful service to your public.

T B

June 13, 2012

God Bless and rest well. You were lovely.

June 13, 2012

I remember you so well in GONE WITH THE WIND AND THE HARDY BOY MOVIES. May God hold you in His Arms --He created a beautiful person --May you have peace. An ardent fan who is 70 years old--Sandra Slater Louisville Ky

June 13, 2012

RIP

C Studer

June 13, 2012

Ms. Rutherford, My god protect and keep you, we will forever keep you in our hearts.

tam

June 13, 2012

To the Family of Ann Rutherford, I am sorry for your loss. "Gone with the wind " one of my favorite films. May you be comforted in reading Matt. 6:9-15 the model prayer

CJ Shank

June 13, 2012

We valued our time with you and appreciated hearing all your wonderful stories. The Windies will never forget you. Our thoughts are with your family.

June 13, 2012

R.I.P.

Sharon B

June 13, 2012

We loved your wonderful acting in the Andy Hardy movies, and the classic Gone
With the Wind. A beautiful
lady with charisma and charm.
May God in Heaven watch over you and your loved ones,
and bless them with comfort
and peace. We lost our
beloved Mother on June 11, 2012.

Brenda Harrell

June 13, 2012

MAY THE RUTHERFORD FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND FANS HAVE COMFORT IN JOHN 14:1.
I HAVE SEEN THE MOVIE, "GONE WITH THE
WIND" AND READ THE BOOK COUNTLESS
TIMES. RUTHERFORD PROTRAYAL OF
SAID SISTER'S CHARACTER EXCELLED AND
SURPASSED MY EXPECTATIONS/SENSORY IMAGE AFTER READING THE BOOK!.
SINCERE REGRETS AND SYMPATHY,
BRENDA HARRELL

Wilma Atkins

June 13, 2012

rest in peace dear Ann, God Bless and keep you in his arms.
Wilma Rutherford Atkins
Coarsegold, Calif,






y

June 12, 2012

How could anyone ever forget the cast of GWTW. It was just TOO GOOD. Also loved the cast of the Andy Hardy flicks. Rest in peace. You were a splendid actress..

Welcome Home

David J Bhaltazhar Esq

June 12, 2012

June 12, 2012

Rest in peace, Ms. Rutherford. Your talent and charming personality will be sorely missed!

Susan Jones

June 12, 2012

My Condolences to the family she was a great act dress? RIP.

Vicky Chapman

June 12, 2012

What a beautiful woman. My condolences to Ms. Rutherford's family, friends and fans.

June 12, 2012

We will definately miss Ann Rutherford-you have historically left your footprints in cinema history and in our hearts. I loved Andy Hardy finds love!! May God comfort your family and friends at this time.
-Trish Taylor

Leigh Berman Rutherford

June 12, 2012

I am so sorry for your loss, may Ann rest in peace.
Leigh Berman Rutherford

Anonymous

June 12, 2012

Our deepest sorrow and sympathy to you and to your family.Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

June 12, 2012

We are so sad to hear of the loss of someone so special. May you trust and have comfort in the hope of everlasting life. John 17:3

Hart

June 12, 2012

Our heartfelt condolences to the Family of Ann. We were so sorry to hear of her passing. May our Heavenly Father, the God of comfort and tender mercies be with you all. With deep sympathy,

Theresa Wyzinski

June 12, 2012

So sorry to hear that Ann Rutherford passed away. I loved her in the Andy Hardy films. Those movies were so great. I also remember her in the Walter Mitty movie with Danny Kaye another of my favorite actors.

June 12, 2012

She was a lovely lady and a very good actress. May her family and friends find peace at this very sorrowful time. JM Austerlitz, NY

Tony Runfalo

June 12, 2012

Enjoyed her performances in early Gene Autry films.

Scott Chamberland

June 12, 2012

Rest in Peace

Emily McAlister

June 12, 2012

You are gone but you live on in your movies. God Bless you. Thank you for giving all of us laughter. You were a classy lady.

giovanni

June 12, 2012

So sad to hear! I fell in love with you from day one when i first saw you on the big screen! You will always be my girl. Love you always sweetheart XOXO Giovanni

June 12, 2012

To the the family of Ann Rutherford - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that she will be missed by many.

eric jackson

June 12, 2012

loved your wok you will be missed

Patti R

June 12, 2012

Thank you for your part in making history!
Rest in peace. Condolences to your family.

Judy

June 12, 2012

May she rest in peace.

Larry Leighton

June 12, 2012

Thank you for 94 wonderful years.

Carol Campbell

June 12, 2012

Ann you will be missed! RIP

June 12, 2012

Rest In Peace...you were great in "Gone With the Wind"...

V. Coates Columbus OH

Mary Birdsong

June 12, 2012

Gone, but not forgotten, You will be Greatly missed..

Herb Smith

June 12, 2012

What a Gal! What a Movie! God Bless

Mary Birdsong

June 12, 2012

Gone, but never forgotten...You will be greatly Missed..

Laurie Kruse

June 12, 2012

Rest in Peace. Beautiful Lady.

cheryl blackmon

June 12, 2012

you will be missed god speed

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June 11, 2016

Harry Simpson posted to the memorial.

July 9, 2012

Jim Raney posted to the memorial.

July 5, 2012

Jeanette posted to the memorial.