RUTA LEE Living Large at 90

THE ACTRESS AND PHILANTHROPIST SHARES SOME OF HER FAVORITE HOLLYWOOD STORIES

- Louise A. Barile and Lindsay Hoffman

Ruta Lee recalls standing in the rafters waiting to go on as Peter Pan when the mishap occurred.

"We worked six days a week," Ruta, who starred in 1954's Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, recalls of her early days at MGM Studios.

The young actors playing The Lost Boys neglected to catch Wendy after she was shot and the actress playing her hit the ground hard with a sickening thud.

"Fred Astaire became a very good longtime friend," says Ruta, who appeared with him in Funny Face in 1957.

“I’m not realizing my mic is on,” Ruta tells Closer. “So I say, ‘I’ll kill those little [buggers]! I’ll kill every last one of them!’ And it went out across a 10,000 seat house.”

As her 90th birthday approaches, Ruta remains as funny, vibrant and engaging as ever.

The Thalians honored Carol Burnett, here with Ann-Margret and Ruta, in 1989.

The actress, dancer and author, best known for her roles in 1954’s Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and 1957’s Witness for the Prosecution, has big plans for her celebration.

“The only way to approach any birthday after 21 is to work,” she says. “I’ve chosen to do my show as a benefit for The Thalians.”