Thelma Ritter appeared in high school plays and was trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. In the 1940s she worked in radio. Her movie career was started with a bit part in the 1946 Miracle on 34th Street. In the movie she played a weary Xmas shopper. Her performance in the short scene was noticed by Darryl F. Zanuck who insisted her role be expanded. During the period 1951 to 1963 Ms. Ritter was nominated for 6 Academy Awards. She is one of the most nominated actors who never won the statue. Shortly after a 1968 performance on The Jerry Lewis Show, Ms. Ritter suffered a heart attack which proved fatal.



Won Broadway's 1958 Tony Award as Best Actress (Musical) for "New Girl in Town" in a tie with her co-star, Gwen Verdon . In Italy, throughout her career, she was dubbed by different actresses: Rina Morelli (e.g. Pickup on South Street (1953)) , Tina Lattanzi (e.g. Daddy Long Legs (1955)) , Wanda Tettoni (e.g. Pillow Talk (1959)) , Lia Orlandini (e.g. How the West Was Won (1962)) and Franca Dominici (e.g. Rear Window (1954)) . The talented Maria Saccenti lent her voice to Ritter only once: in All About Eve (1950). She and Deborah Kerr have the curious distinction of being Oscar-nominated 6 times each in competitive categories - without ever winning the coveted statuette. Her 6 nominations were for supporting roles, whereas Kerr's 6 nominations were for leading roles.