by Hal Erickson
biography
In films from 1932, American actress Ruth Lee was an expert at portraying middle-America matriarchs. One of Lee's largest roles was as the "June Cleaver" mother in the classic 1939 promotional feature The Middleton Family at the World's Fair. From 1939 to 1943, Lee was a regular in the Robert Benchley one-reelers at both MGM and Paramount, superbly cast as the gently bellicose Mrs. Benchley. Ruth Lee remained active until 1962, when she essayed a minor role in Sergeants Three.

