Basil Ruysdael was a multifaceted American artist, whose remarkable career spanned over seven decades. Born on July 24, 1888, he began his professional journey as a baritone singer with the prestigious Metropolitan Opera Company in the early 1900s. His impressive vocal talents soon led to his stage debut in New York in 1918.
In 1923, Ruysdael made the bold decision to relocate to California, where he transitioned into a successful voice teacher, instructing numerous actors. However, his students encouraged him to explore his own acting abilities, and he finally took the leap in 1929 with his film debut in the classic comedy "Cocoanuts".
For the next 30 years, Ruysdael became a beloved character actor in Hollywood, appearing in a wide range of films, including "Come to the Stable" (1949),"Broken Arrow" (1950),"People Will Talk" (1951),"The Last Hurrah" (1958),and "The Horse Soldiers" (1960). His versatility also led to voice-over work in the iconic animated film "101 Dalmatians" (1961).
In addition to his film career, Ruysdael also made appearances on popular television shows such as "Perry Mason", "Official Detective", "Father Knows Best", and "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color". His remarkable career was marked by his dedication to his craft, and he continued to work until his passing at the age of 72, due to complications following surgery, on October 10, 1960.
