Ruth Benjamin Paris was the wife of Jerry Paris, an American actor and director best known for playing Jerry Helper, the dentist and next-door neighbor of Rob and Laura Petrie, on The Dick Van Dyke Show, and for directing the majority of the episodes of the sitcom Happy Days. Ruth and Jerry had three children: Tony, Julie, and Andrew. Ruth died in 1980, six years before Jerry passed away from a brain tumor. But what was the cause of Ruth’s death, and what was her life like before she met Jerry?
Early Life and Career
Ruth Benjamin was born in 1928 in New York City. She was a talented singer and dancer who performed on Broadway and in nightclubs. She also appeared in some films and television shows, such as The Phil Silvers Show, The Red Skelton Hour, and The Jack Benny Program. According to IMDb1, she was credited as Ruth Benjamin or Ruth Paris in her acting roles.
Marriage to Jerry Paris
Ruth met Jerry Paris in 1953, when they were both working on a Broadway musical called Hazel Flagg. They fell in love and got married in 1954. They moved to Los Angeles, where Jerry pursued his acting and directing career, while Ruth focused on raising their children. Ruth also supported Jerry’s work by appearing in some of his projects, such as The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Partridge Family, and Here’s Lucy.
Struggle with Depression
Ruth suffered from depression for most of her life. She had a difficult childhood, as her father abandoned her family when she was young, and her mother remarried several times. She also faced challenges in her marriage, as Jerry was often busy with his work and had affairs with other women. Ruth tried to cope with her depression by taking medication and seeing a therapist, but she never found lasting relief.
Suicide
In 1980, Ruth decided to end her life by overdosing on sleeping pills. She left a note for Jerry and their children, saying that she loved them but could not go on living. She was found dead in her bed by Jerry, who was devastated by her loss. He later said that he blamed himself for not being able to help her or save her.
Legacy
Ruth Benjamin Paris was a beautiful and talented woman who had a tragic fate. She left behind a loving family who missed her dearly. Her son Tony became a film producer, while her daughter Julie became a writer and director. Her youngest son Andrew followed his father’s footsteps and became an actor and director. Ruth’s memory lives on through her children’s work and through the fans who remember her as Jerry Paris’s wife.