Morley, Ruth (1925–1991)

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Morley, Ruth (1925–1991)

Austrian-born costume designer. Born Ruth Miriam Birnholz, Nov 19, 1925, in Vienna, Austria; died Feb 12, 1991, in The Bronx, NY; children: Melissa Hacker and Emily Hacker (both filmmakers).

Came to US as a Kindertransport refugee during WWII; began career designing for the stage; also designed for such films as Never Love a Stranger, The Hustler, Lilith, A Thousand Clowns, Diary of a Mad Housewife, The Front, Taxi Driver, Kramer vs. Kramer, Little Miss Marker, Tootsie, Parenthood and Ghost, and for Diane Keaton in Annie Hall, which launched a fashion trend. Nominated for Oscar for The Miracle Worker (1962).

See also Melissa Hacker's documentary My Knees Were Jumping: Remembering the Kindertransports (1996).