Ruby Cruz

Ruby Jean Cruz (born March 31, 2000)^[1] is an American actress. She has acted in various short films and television series including Mare of Easttown and Castle Rock, and most notably as Kit Tanthalos in Willow.^[2]

Ruby Cruz
Born	Ruby Jean Cruz^[1] (2000-03-31) March 31, 2000 (age 24)^[1] Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Parent	Brandon Cruz (father)

In 2023, she made her feature length movie debut as Hazel Callahan in Bottoms, directed by Emma Seligman.^[3]

Career

Ruby Cruz was born to actor and musician Brandon Cruz and Liz Cruz, an entrepreneur.^[1][4][5] Cruz grew up in Los Angeles, California, and began auditioning for film and television roles in high school.^[6] She studied theater at DePaul University before dropping out to pursue her acting career.^[6]

In 2018, Cruz played the younger version of Lizzy Caplan's character, Annie Wilkes, in Castle Rock. Cruz received praise from TVLine for the way she captured Caplan's physicality.^[7] In 2020, Cruz appeared in season 10 of Blue Bloods.^[8]

In 2021, Cruz appeared as Jess Riley in the HBO drama series Mare of Easttown.^[9] Later that year, Cruz was cast as Kit Tanthalos, the first openly lesbian Disney princess, in the television series Willow.^[10] The show, which premiered in November 2022, acts as a sequel to the 1988 film of the same title.^[11][12][13]

In 2023, she appeared alongside Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri in Bottoms as Hazel Callahan, a co-founder of a high school fight club for girls.^[14][15]

Personal life

Cruz identifies as queer.^[16][17] Her father is American former actor and punk musician Brandon Cruz.^[18] Her mother, Elizabeth "Liz" Cruz (née Finkelstein), is an entrepreneur, whom her father married in 1994 and later divorced. She has one older brother, Lincoln, born 1995.^[19]

Filmography

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2019	Castle Rock	Teen Annie Wilkes	2 Episodes
2020	Blue Bloods	Amanda Webster	Episode: "Where the Truth Lies"
2021	Mare of Easttown	Jess Riley	6 Episodes
2022	Willow	Princess Kit Tanthalos/Young Bavmorda (voice only)	8 Episodes

Films

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2018	Aging Out	June	Short film
	The Jump	Luna	Short film
	Murder On The Green	Lucy	Short film
2019	Spin	The School Girl	Short film
2020	God Is a Lobster	Bea	Short film
2023	Bottoms	Hazel Callahan	Premiered March 11 at SXSW Festival
TBA	What Would Jesus Do?	Thandi	Short film
	The Threesome	Olivia	In post production

Music Videos

Year	Title	Artist
2023	"Salad"	Blondshell

References

1. "The Courtship of Eddie's Father: Biographies/Where are they now?". Sitcoms Online. January 22, 1934. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
2. Ropert, Sienna (February 23, 2023). "Ruby Cruz". Photobook. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
3. Seligman, Emma, Bottoms (Comedy), Brownstone Productions (II), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Orion Pictures, retrieved February 5, 2023
4. Madden, Joane (October 17, 2021). "Keeping Up With Brandon Cruz: From Child Star to Punk Rocker". TV Banter. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
5. Wanjala, Naomi (September 4, 2023). "Ruby Cruz's Parents Are Associated with the Arts - Facts about Them". Amo Mama. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
6. Nemiroff, Perri (December 4, 2022). "'Willow': Ruby Cruz on How She Carved Her Own Unique Path to Becoming a Disney Series Star". Collider. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
7. "Castle Rock's Annie (Ruby Cruz)". tvline.com. March 23, 2021.
8. "Ruby Cruz". tv.Apple.com.
9. "Keeping Track of the Massive Mare of Easttown Cast". Harpersbazaar.com. May 30, 2021.
10. Hogan, Heather (January 12, 2023). ""Willow" Gives Us the Lesbian Disney Princess We've Been Waiting For". Autostraddle. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
11. "Willow reboot finds new lead star in Castle Rock actress Ruby Cruz". Yahoo.com.
12. "Willow': Ruby Cruz Cast As A Lead In Disney+ Series". Deadline. March 11, 2021.
13. "'Willow' Trailer Breakdown: The Magical Cult Classic Returns". Collider.com. September 15, 2022.
14. Grobar, Matt (April 11, 2022). "'Bottoms': Rachel Sennott, Ayo Edebiri, Marshawn Lynch & More To Star In High School Sex Comedy From Orion & Brownstone; 'Shiva Baby's Emma Seligman Directing". Deadline. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
15. Bosselman, Haley (November 29, 2022). "Ruby Cruz Talks 'Willow,' Sword Fighting And the 'Genius' of 'Bottoms'". LA Confidential. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
16. Seth, Kenisha (2021). "Ruby Cruz". PhotoBook Magazine. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
17. "Inside the queer TV love story that's made the cast, and now fans, lose their minds". Los Angeles Times. December 21, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
18. Gross, Ed (September 18, 2019). "'Courtship of Eddie's Father' At 50: Bill Bixby and Others Look Back". Closer Weekly. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
19. "Keeping up with Brandon Cruz: From child star to punk rocker".

Further reading

• 'Willow' stars Ruby Cruz and Erin Kellyman break down that epic love scene
• ‘Willow’ Star Ruby Cruz Talks Her Complicated Disney Princess and Taking Over the Role From Her Good Friend
• Ruby Cruz Says Playing Princess Kit in Willow Was 'Empowering' And 'Therapeutic' | Exclusive
• 'Willow': Ruby Cruz on How She Carved Her Own Unique Path to Becoming a Disney Series Star
• ‘Willow’: Ruby Cruz Cast As A Lead In Disney+ Series

External links

• Ruby Cruz at IMDb