Ruta Lee News

This week, the Hollywood Museum’s Annual and LGBTQ+ Exhibit opening and Awards, Hollywood’s first LGBTQ+ Tribute/Exhibit and Awards, Donelle Dadigan (Founder/President of the Hollywood Museum) announced its 2024 salute to the LGBTQ+ community's contributions to the entertainment industry. Check out photos here!

The Thalians will host their annual star studded Winter Gala, with proceeds benefitting the charity.  The 2023 gala will honor actor and humanitarian, Gary Sinise, with their highest honor, the Mr. Wonderful Award, for his efforts on behalf of our service men and women through the Gary Sinise Foundation. 

See photos from the 2023 salute to the LGBTQ+ community's contributions to the entertainment industry and launch of the 10th annual 'Real to Reel: Portrayals and Perceptions of LGBTQ+s in Hollywood' exhibit.  

The Hollywood Museum played host to a spectacular photo exhibit, for Mother's Day to pay homage to the matriarchs of the MOTION PICTURE MOTHERS organization and the most celebrated working moms in entertainment with loving and amusing images with their families. Check out photos from the event here!

On the evening of April 6th, in advance of “NATIONAL PET DAY,” (April 11th), Founder/President of the Hollywood Museum, Donelle Dadigan, hosted a tribute exhibit to Acting Animals. See photos from the event.

See photos from Ruta Lee's sold out cabaret show at the Purple Room!

In addition to a melody of musicals in which Ms Lee has appeared and hopes to appear, Ruta offers a treasure trove of wonderful stories, anecdotes with rare first hand and authentic memories of the entertainment industry. 

Another Gin Game is a witty, sharp-tongued gossip fest between two former show biz greats in their twilight years facing their pasts, presents and futures.

The Hollywood Museum has announced its 2022 salute to the LGBTQ+ community's contributions to the entertainment industry, it will once again present its ninth (due to the pandemic) annual 'Real to Reel: Portrayals and Perceptions of LGBTQ+ in Hollywood” exhibit in partnership with Los Angeles City Councilmember Mitch O'Farrell (CD-13).

“For most, our mother is your first friend, your best friend, your forever friend.  Our mother’s love is unconditional and only grows stronger over a lifetime,” says Donelle Dadigan (Founder/President of the Hollywood Museum).

Coachella Valley Repertory Theater (CVRep) is proud to announce that iconic and legendary photographer Michael Childers will be honored at the Luminary Luncheon, an exclusive entertainment and fundraising experience, on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at 12:00 N with a special sponsor reception at 11:15 AM at the beautiful Westin Mission Hills, Rancho Mirage. Childers has captured through his lens, some of the most renowned portraits of Hollywood and music icons and produced numerous award-winning films. For 16 years, he’s had the biggest hit in the Coachella Valley with sold out performances of One Night Only. This year’s production at the McCallum Theatre will be held Wednesday, November 9, 2022 and will benefit the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center.

When most people think of drama schools, Julliard in New York, The Goodman in Chicago, and UCLA in Los Angeles spring to mind. But just a two hour drive from LA is Palm Springs, California, the home to Musical Theatre University (MTU), the ultimate arts training program for high school students.

The show by actor/playwright Terry Ray is set in a motel room, and the first two years were actually performed at INNDulge in a motel room with an audience of 20 serving as flies on the wall, watching the action.  Fortunately, the show has transferred to Oscar’s dinner theatre in the middle of town which enables about triple the audience, comfortable tables and chairs, and some really terrific food!

The museum's dungeon includes a rare and unique history of horror and suspense from Hollywood over the years including the original and complete jail sell set used for filming of “The Silence of the Lambs” and is one of the museum's most popular draws year round, with items that that include original costumes and props used in making of the film. 

Critically acclaimed hit LGBTQ+ comedy / drama ELECTRICITY returns to it's record-breaking 3-year run at Oscar's Palm Springs with some extra wattage, when Hollywood icon Ruta Lee steps in to moderate a special post show Q&A with the cast and creative team behind this hit show on Tuesday, September 7th, 2021.

Legendary actor, activist and philanthropist Ed Asner passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, surrounded by family at 91.

Theatre 40 celebrates its 55th Anniversary season with the world premiere of Marilyn Anderson’s AS GOOD AS GOLD September 16, 2021. Got the chance to chat with David Hunt Stafford, Theatre 40’s artistic and managing director on Theatre 40’s history and plans for the future.

Everyone loves Ruta Lee and after Jim Caruso is finished chatting with her, her numbers will have gone up from all the new fans.

The 1st Event In over a year at the Historic Hollywood Landmark Founder/President, Donelle Dadigan and The Hollywood Museum created what can only be described as a first class who's who celebration for friend and museum supporter Ruta Lee, 'the first of what we hope will be many events back at the Museum,' says Ms Dadigan.

Theatre 40 will be presenting a staged reading of Gary Kaskel’s ANOTHER GIN GAME starring Ed Asner and Ruta Lee with Donté Ashon Green July 18, 2021. I have the delightful pleasure of talking to Ed, not only on ANOTHER GIN GAME, but on highlights of his incredibly long-lasting acting career. When I tried to thank him for all the previous times he’s graciously posed for my camera and chatted with me at various charity events, he playfully deflected with, “But I’m a son of a bitch now!”