Biography

Basil Ruysdael was born on July 24, 1878 in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA. He was an actor, known for Broken Arrow (1950), Pinky (1949) and Colorado Territory (1949). He was married to Kathleen Dobbyn, Rose Swettenham and Eleanor Mason Manierre. He died on October 10, 1960 in Hollywood, California, USA.

Before becoming a busy character actor on stage, films, and radio, he was a star bass-baritone with the Metropolitan Opera Company between 1910 and 1918. Although his most frequent role was as the King in Verdi's "Aida", the majority of his roles were in the German repertory, particularly the operas of Richard Wagner. As a voice teacher and coach, his students included Lawrence Tibbett.

Was a radio announcer in the 1930s. Moved to Hollywood after the war to play magistrates, barristers and senior officers on screen.

His name was changed officially from Basil Spaulding Millspaugh to Basil Ruysdael on February 8, 1915.