Harry Ruby, composer, lyricist, and playwright, was born on January 27, 1895. He began his career as a pianist in silent film houses, nickelodeons, and cafes; he later became a song plugger, and appeared in the vaudeville act “Messenger Boy Trio.” The song “So Long So Long” was Ruby's first composition, later followed by such classics as “Who's Sorry Now?,” “I Wanna be Loved by You,” and “Three Little Words.” An early associate of the Marx Brothers, he wrote the words and music for Animal Crackers, including Groucho Marx's song, “Hooray for Captain Spaulding.” Ruby's partner, Bert Kalmar, collaborated with him on such Marx Brothers' productions as Horse Feathers and Duck Soup. The team of Ruby and Kalmar wrote many musical comedies and revues that enjoyed runs on Broadway, such as Helen of Troy, New York; The Ramblers; and The Five O'Clock Girl. They also composed music and lyrics for Eddie Cantor and Fannie Brice. Ruby and Kalmar also worked in films co-authoring the songs and screenplays for The Cuckoo, Check and Double Check, Top Speed, The Kid from Spain, Kentucky Kernels, and Bright Lights; and the songs for Wake Up and Dream, Happiness Ahead, Do You Love Me?, and The Strip.
Ruby died on February 23, 1974 at the Motion Picture and Television Hospital in Woodland Hills, California.
