Biography
Who is Mercedes Ruehl?
Early life and education
Born on February 28, 1948, in the Jackson Heights area of Queens, New York, she was the daughter of Vincent and Mercedes Ruehl. Her father worked as an agent for the FBI, which resulted in the family moving frequently to various locations, including Silver Spring, Maryland. She was raised with her brother, Peter, in a Roman Catholic household.
After completing her early education, she attended the College of New Rochelle. She graduated from the institution in 1969, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. Following her time in college, she pursued her interest in acting by training at the HB Studio in New York City.
Career beginnings and stage work
Mercedes Ruehl began her professional acting career in New York City. During these early years, she appeared in various off-off Broadway productions while supporting herself through temp work and waitressing. She further developed her craft in regional theatre, specifically with the Denver Center Theatre Company. In 1980, she nearly secured a spot on the cast of Saturday Night Live, though she was ultimately not chosen for the role.
Her Broadway career started in 1985 with the Herb Gardner play I'm Not Rappaport. She later achieved major recognition for her performance in the Neil Simon drama Lost in Yonkers, winning the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play in 1991. Throughout her career, she has received additional Tony nominations for her work in The Shadow Box and The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?. She also appeared in other Broadway shows such as The Rose Tattoo, The American Plan, and the 2017 revival of Torch Song.
Film and television success
She gained widespread acclaim for her portrayal of a pragmatic video store owner in the 1991 fantasy comedy The Fisher King. This performance resulted in several honors, including the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and a Golden Globe. Her filmography includes a wide variety of projects, such as The Warriors, Big, Married to the Mob, Last Action Hero, and the 2019 crime drama Hustlers.
On television, she appeared in five episodes of the NBC sitcom Frasier, where she played KACL station manager Kate Costas between 1995 and 1996. Her other television credits include roles in the film All-American Girl: The Mary Kay Letourneau Story and the HBO series Entourage. Also, she has served as a faculty member at HB Studio in New York City.
Personal life
In 1976, she gave birth to a son, Christopher, whom she placed for adoption. The two were eventually reunited in the late 1990s. In 1999, Mercedes married painter David Geiser. The couple adopted a son named Jake, who was born in 1995. Following the marriage, Christopher eventually became Jake's godfather.
Mercedes and David Geiser remained together for many years before separating, though they continued to maintain a close relationship. David Geiser passed away due to heart disease in October 2020 at the age of 73. Her brother, Peter, moved to Australia in 1987, where he worked as a newspaper columnist until his passing in 2011.
Birthday and age
Mercedes Ruehl was born on February 28, 1948, which makes Mercedes 78 years old today. That birthday falls under the Pisces sign. Mercedes shares the date with 37 other famous people.
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