Introduction
Ruth Morley (November 19, 1925- February 12, 1991) was an Austrian-born American costume designer, active from the late 1950s through 1991. She was nominated for Best Costumes-Black and White for her work on The Miracle Worker during the 35th Academy Awards. She is also well known for her work on Annie Hall.
Ms. Morley's stage work began in 1951, with "Billy Bud." Other Broadway productions included "Death of a Salesman," starring Dustin Hoffman, as well as "A Thousand Clowns," "Toys in the Attic," "Inherit the Wind," "Take a Giant Step," and "The Good Soldier Schweik." In 1951 and 1952 she was costume director for the New York City Opera.
Selected Filmography
- The Prince of Tides (1991)
- Ghost (1990)
- The Money Pit (1986)
- Tootsie (1982)
- Little Miss Marker (1980)
- The Miracle Worker (1979-TV movie)
- Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
- Superman (1978)
- Annie Hall (1977)
- Taxi Driver (1976)
- Diary of a Mad Housewife (1970)
- A Thousand Clowns (1965)
- The Miracle Worker (1962)
- The Hustler (1961)
Personal life
Ruth Morley, née Birnholz, was born in Vienna, Austria, and escaped shortly before the outbreak of World War II on a Kindertransport She is survived by her 2 daughters, Melissa Hacker who is a filmmaker and editor, and Emily Hacker who is an actress and Adult Learning and Development consultant, and her granddaughter, Olivia Hacker-Keating.
She died at the age of 65 of breast cancer.