Billy Ruge
Encyclopedia
Billy Ruge was an American film actor. He began his career on stage as an acrobat in Vaudeville
before moving in to silent movies. Eventually appearing in 64 films between 1915 and 1922, mostly one-reeler Comedy Shorts. He was teamed up with Babe Hardy (AKA Oliver Hardy
) playing the part of 'Runt' to Hardy's 'Plump' in what can be seen as a precursor to the more famous Stan and Ollie partnership.
After 40 plus shorts Hardy moved on, eventually to Hollywood working with Billy West
. For Ruge a new partnership with frequent co-star Kate Price
was formed for a series of "Sparkle Comedies". Finally after a few solo projects he disappeared from the movie world.
Ruge frequently worked for Actor/Director Willard Louis
, filming in Jacksonville, Florida
for the minor studios Lubin Studios
, the Vim Comedy Company
, and the Jaxon Film Corporation.
Vaudeville
Vaudeville was a theatrical genre of variety entertainment in the United States and Canada from the early 1880s until the early 1930s. Each performance was made up of a series of separate, unrelated acts grouped together on a common bill...
before moving in to silent movies. Eventually appearing in 64 films between 1915 and 1922, mostly one-reeler Comedy Shorts. He was teamed up with Babe Hardy (AKA Oliver Hardy
Oliver Hardy
Oliver Hardy was an American comic actor famous as one half of Laurel and Hardy, the classic double act that began in the era of silent films and lasted nearly 30 years, from 1927 to 1955.-Early life:...
) playing the part of 'Runt' to Hardy's 'Plump' in what can be seen as a precursor to the more famous Stan and Ollie partnership.
After 40 plus shorts Hardy moved on, eventually to Hollywood working with Billy West
Billy West (silent film actor)
Billy West was a film actor, producer, and director of the silent film era. He is best known as a Charlie Chaplin impersonator....
. For Ruge a new partnership with frequent co-star Kate Price
Kate Price (actress)
Kate Price was an Irish-born American actress. She is perhaps best-remembered for playing the role of Mrs. Kelly in the comedy series, The Cohens and Kellys, made by Universal Pictures between 1926 and 1932. Price appeared in 296 motion pictures between 1910 and 1937.-Career:She was born Katherine...
was formed for a series of "Sparkle Comedies". Finally after a few solo projects he disappeared from the movie world.
Ruge frequently worked for Actor/Director Willard Louis
Willard Louis
Willard Louis was an American film actor and director of the silent era. He appeared in 81 films between 1911 and 1926 and he directed 82 films between 1912 and 1916....
, filming in Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
for the minor studios Lubin Studios
Lubin Studios
The Lubin Manufacturing Company, was an American motion picture production company that produced silent films from 1902 to 1916. Lubin films were distributed with a Liberty Bell trademark.-History:...
, the Vim Comedy Company
Vim Comedy Company
The Vim Comedy Company was a short lived movie studio in Jacksonville, Florida and New York. Vim bought out Siegmund Lubin's Lubin Manufacturing Company Jacksonville, Florida facilities in 1915 after that company went bankrupt. It was founded by Louis Burstein and Mark Dintenfass. Vim specialized...
, and the Jaxon Film Corporation.
Selected filmography
- Chinks and Chickens (1915)
- Love, Pepper and SweetsLove, Pepper and SweetsLove, Pepper and Sweets is a 1915 silent comedy film featuring Oliver Hardy.-Cast:* Bobby Burns - Jabbs* Walter Stull - Pokes* Billy Ruge* Ethel Marie Burton* Oliver Hardy - * Frank Hanson * Edna Reynolds-External links:*...
(1915) - first partnership with Oliver Hardy - Speed KingsSpeed Kings (film)Speed Kings is a 1915 silent comedy film featuring Oliver Hardy.-Cast:* Bobby Burns - Jabbs* Walter Stull - Pokes* Billy Ruge * Ethel Marie Burton * Oliver Hardy - * Frank Hanson * Edna Reynolds...
(1915) - The Brave OnesThe Brave OnesThe Brave Ones is a 1916 silent comedy film featuring Oliver Hardy.-Cast:* Oliver Hardy - Plump * Billy Ruge - Runt* Billy Bletcher - The Sheriff* Elsie MacLeod - The Sheriff's daughter...
(1916) - Hungry Hearts (1916)
- The Precious ParcelThe Precious ParcelThe Precious Parcel is a 1916 silent comedy film featuring Oliver Hardy.-Cast:* Oliver Hardy - Plump * Billy Ruge - Runt* Florence McLaughlin - Runt's Accomplice * Edna Reynolds - Telegraph Operator...
(1916) - One Too Many (1916 film)One Too Many (1916 film)-Cast:* Oliver Hardy - Plump * Billy Ruge - Runt* Billy Bletcher - Unhappy Boarder* Joe Cohen* Edna Reynolds - Newlywed* Madelyn Hardy - Woman on street...
(Link to Download) - Week-End Shopping (1916)
- The Guilty OnesThe Guilty OnesThe Guilty Ones is a 1916 comedy film directed by and starring Oliver Hardy. It was the first film to be directed by Hardy.-Cast:* Oliver Hardy - Babe * Kate Price - Kate* Billy Ruge - A Detective...
(1916) - Last collaboration with Oliver Hardy - Ambition (1917) - co-starring with Kate Price
- Smashing the Plot (1918)
- Bone Dry Blues (1922)