- Born
- Died
- Height5′ 2″ (1.57 m)
- Billy Ruge was born on August 16, 1863 in Plattsburgh, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for The Battle Royal (1916), Spaghetti (1916) and The Heroes (1916). He was married to Anna Overin. He died on October 19, 1955 in New York City, New York, USA.
- SpouseAnna Overin(May 15, 1893 - ?)
- Disappeared from acting in the mid twenties and was not heard of again.
- Partnered Babe Hardy (AKA Oliver Hardy of Laurel and Hardy fame) in several films the late teens early twenties. Frequently playing the characters Plump and Runt.
- Ruge was diminutive of stature, wiry and acrobatic, having had previous experience as a circus clown. In silent comedy, he was a minor star of one-reel comedies (he was 'Runt', Oliver Hardy was 'Plump'), produced by the New York-based company Vim at facilities leased from the Florida Yacht Club between 1915 and 1916. Ruge later partnered Kate Price in a series of 'Sparkle Comedies' for the Jaxon Film Corporation. By the early 1920's, his popularity had begun to decline and he eventually disappeared from the screen.
- In its May 16, 1922 issue (page 16), "Billboard" magazine reported that "Billy Ruge, movie comedian, has returned to vaudeville and is playing the Loew circuit with his comedy aerial act under the billing of Ruge and Rose"(Joe Rose).
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content
