Andrew Saris of the Village Voice voted Rutanya Alda best supporting actress for Mommie Dearest (1981).
Born in Latvia but was displaced following WWII until coming to America.
Broke into films via Brian De Palma's experimental movies of the late 60s.
Her husband of almost 30 years, actor Richard Bright was tragically killed after being hit by a tour bus in Manhattan.
Is no relation to two more famous Aldas, father and son: Robert Alda (born Alphonso Giuseppe Giovanni Roberto D'Abruzzo) and Alan Alda (born Alphonso Joseph D'Abruzzo).
Perhaps best known from the cult movie, Mommie Dearest (1981), in which she played Joan Crawford's personal secretary, "Carol Ann".
Rutanya won a Clio award for best actress for a John Hancock Commercial.