# Ruth Foster

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Ruth_Foster
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Ruth_Foster.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Foster
> Source revision: 1327948278
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Not to be confused with [Ruthie Foster](/source/Ruthie_Foster).

**Ruth E. Foster** (January 29, 1920 – May 12, 2012) was an American [actress](/source/Actress) who portrayed Walnut Grove's [postmaster](/source/Postmaster), also named Foster, for several seasons on the [NBC](/source/NBC) [TV series](/source/Television_program#Seasons/series) *[Little House on the Prairie](/source/Little_House_on_the_Prairie_(TV_series))* (1974–1983).

## Life and career

Foster was born on January 29, 1920, in Cincinnati, Ohio, as Ruth Emma Foerstel, the first child of George and Helen Wilhelmy Foerstel.[1] She first broke into show business at the age of 12 when the [Shubert Theater](/source/Shubert_Theatre_(Los_Angeles)) sponsored a [Fred Astaire](/source/Fred_Astaire) and [Ginger Rogers](/source/Ginger_Rogers) dance contest. Foster competed and won first place. This exposure lead to a job as a dancer with a traveling dance group. Soon, she was offered a job as a dancer for the Latin Quarter Show. After several years of dancing, Foster went on to become an actress.

She traveled with vaudeville dance troupes in the early 1930s.[2] Foster was on *[Ben Casey](/source/Ben_Casey)* as Miss Fleming from 1962 to 1964. She was in *[Dimension 5](/source/Dimension_5_(film))* and *[Cyborg 2087](/source/Cyborg_2087)* that were going to be released on television as [television films](/source/Television_film), instead were theatrically released across the United States.[3] Foster is most remembered as [Melinda Foster](/source/List_of_Little_House_on_the_Prairie_characters#Television_series_characters), the Post office manager, on *[Little House on the Prairie](/source/Little_House_on_the_Prairie_(TV_series))* for 61 episodes from 1974 to 1983. She was also a [film editor](/source/Film_editing), [video tape editor](/source/Video_editing) and an [associate producer](/source/Associate_producer). In 1984, Foster reprised her role as Melinda Foster in the [Made-for-TV-Movies](/source/Television_film) *[Little House: Bless All the Dear Children](/source/Little_House_on_the_Prairie_(TV_series)#Spin-offs_and_sequels)* and *[Little House: The Last Farewell](/source/Little_House_on_the_Prairie_(TV_series)#Spin-offs_and_sequels)*. Foster danced professionally in the [Palm Springs](/source/Palm_Springs) and Branson Follies until the age of 85.[2]

## Personal life and death

Foster married [comedian](/source/Comedian) Bobby Pinkus, a.k.a. Peter J. Accardy, in 1939. Accardy died on September 16, 1986.[4][5] Foster died of natural causes in Del Mar, California at the age of 92.[2] Several *Little House* cast-mates attended her funeral services.

## Filmography

### Acting

#### Film

Year Title Role Notes 1966 Dimension 5 Grumpy Man's Wife Science fiction/espionage or spy-fi film written by Arthur C. Pierce and directed by Franklin Adreon.[6] Cyborg 2087 Citizen in Crowd Science fiction film directed by Franklin Adreon and written by Arthur C. Pierce.[7]

#### Television

Year Title Role Notes 1954 The Spike Jones Show Pickpocket Episode: "Panel Shows" (S 1:Ep 2) 1962–64 Ben Casey Miss Fleming 1969 Bonanza Woman on Street Episode: "A Darker Shadow" (S 11:Ep 10) 1971 Medical Center Nurse Episode: "Web of Darkness" (S 2:Ep 17) 1974 Little House on the Prairie Aunt Ruby Episode: "Pilot" 1974–83 Little House on the Prairie Melinda Foster 1984 Little House: Bless All the Dear Children Made-for-TV-Movie directed by Victor French & written by Chris Abbott-Fish and based on the Little House series of books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Little House: The Last Farewell Made-for-TV-Movie written & directed by Michael Landon and based on the Little House series of books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. 1989 Highway to Heaven Woman #1 Episode: "The Reunion" (S 5:Ep 5)

### Producing

#### Television

Year Title Role Notes 1987 Fatal Confession: A Father Dowling Mystery Associate producer Made-for-TV-Movie directed by Christopher Hibler.[8]

### Editing

#### Documentaries

Year Title Role Notes 1987 Paul Simon: Graceland – The African Concert Film editor Documentary concert given in Zimbabwe, Africa, by singer Paul Simon, featuring such South African musicians Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masakela directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg.[9] 1996 The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus Documentary of a December 11, 1968 event organized by the Rolling Stones.[10][11]

#### Film

Year Title Role Notes 1991 The Object of Beauty Film editor Comedy crime–drama film directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg.[12] 1995 Frankie Starlight Drama–romantic war film directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg with a screenplay written by Ronan O'Leary and Chet Raymo[13] & based on the internationally best-selling novel The Dork of Cork by Raymo.[14]

#### Television

Year Title Role Notes 1983 The Littlest Hobo Video tape editor Episode: "Trucker" (S 5:Ep 5) 1985 American Playhouse Film editor Episode: "Breakfast with Les and Bess" (S 4:Ep 12) Great Performances Episode: "Grown-Ups" (S 13–Episode aired 25 November 1985) Master Harold...and the Boys Made-for TV-Movie drama by Athol Fugard, adapted from his 1982 play of the same title, directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg. All the Way Made-for-TV-Movie directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg. 1986–87 Matlock 6 episodes 1987 Fatal Confession: A Father Dowling Mystery Credited as Ruth A. Foster.[8] Made-for-TV-Movie directed by Christopher Hibler.[8] Jake and the Fatman Episodes: "Laura" (S 1:Ep 3) "Love for Sale" (S 1:Ep 5) "Love Me or Leave Me" (S 1:Ep 9) 1988 Tanner '88 Created & written by Garry Trudeau and directed by Robert Altman.[15] Tidy Endings Made-for-TV-Movie directed by Gavin Millar.[16][17] The Christmas Wife Made-for-TV-Movie directed by David Jones and written by Catherine Ann Jones.[18] Betrayal of Silence Made-for-TV-Movie directed by Jeffrey Woolnough. 1989 Glory! Glory! Televangelism comedy made-for-TV-Movie directed by Lindsay Anderson.[19]

## References

1. ["Ruth Foster"](http://westernboothill.blogspot.com/2012/05/rip-ruth-foster.html). *Western Boot Hill*. United States: [Blogger](/source/Blogger_(website)). May 16, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2016.

1. ["Actress Ruth Foster dies at 92"](https://variety.com/2012/scene/news/actress-ruth-foster-dies-at-92-1118055137/). *[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine))*. United States: [Penske Media Corporation](/source/Penske_Media_Corporation). June 6, 2012. Retrieved July 19, 2016.

1. Green 2014, pp. 120–121.

1. ["California Deaths, 1940 - 1997"](https://www.myheritage.com/names/peter_accardy#col_a_10071). *[MyHeritage](/source/MyHeritage)*. Retrieved July 20, 2016.

1. ["Find Peter Accardy Graves Records"](http://grave-records.mooseroots.com/d/f/Peter-Accardy). *Grave-Records Mooseroots*. Retrieved July 22, 2016.

1. ["Dimension 5"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130606224055/http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/73122/Dimension-5/#credits). *[Turner Classic Movies](/source/Turner_Classic_Movies)*. [Atlanta](/source/Atlanta): [Turner Broadcasting System](/source/Turner_Broadcasting_System) ([Time Warner](/source/Time_Warner)). Archived from [the original](https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/73122/dimension-5#credits) on June 6, 2013. Retrieved July 19, 2016.

1. ["Cyborg 2087"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110919080428/http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/72054/Cyborg-2087/#credits). *[Turner Classic Movies](/source/Turner_Classic_Movies)*. [Atlanta](/source/Atlanta): [Turner Broadcasting System](/source/Turner_Broadcasting_System) ([Time Warner](/source/Time_Warner)). Archived from [the original](https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/72054/cyborg-2087#credits) on September 19, 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2016.

1. ["Fatal Confession: A Father Dowling Mystery"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140331070524/http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/460447/Fatal-Confession-A-Father-Dowling-Mystery/#credits). *[Turner Classic Movies](/source/Turner_Classic_Movies)*. [Atlanta](/source/Atlanta): [Turner Broadcasting System](/source/Turner_Broadcasting_System) ([Time Warner](/source/Time_Warner)). Archived from [the original](https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/460447/fatal-confession-a-father-dowling-mystery#credits) on March 31, 2014. Retrieved July 19, 2016.

1. [*Paul Simon: Graceland - The African Concert*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/6305342784)

1. Maslin, Janet (October 12, 1996). ["Taking a Trip Back in Time To the Sleek Young Stones"](https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9D02E1DB103EF931A25753C1A960958260). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. Retrieved July 19, 2016.

1. ["The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus"](https://web.archive.org/web/20241006191337/https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/523970/the-rolling-stones-rock-and-roll-circus#credits). *[Turner Classic Movies](/source/Turner_Classic_Movies)*. [Atlanta](/source/Atlanta): [Turner Broadcasting System](/source/Turner_Broadcasting_System) ([Time Warner](/source/Time_Warner)). Archived from [the original](https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/523970/the-rolling-stones-rock-and-roll-circus#credits) on October 6, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2016.

1. ["The Object of Beauty"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210921091742/https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/85350/the-object-of-beauty#credits). *[Turner Classic Movies](/source/Turner_Classic_Movies)*. [Atlanta](/source/Atlanta): [Turner Broadcasting System](/source/Turner_Broadcasting_System) ([Time Warner](/source/Time_Warner)). Archived from [the original](https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/85350/the-object-of-beauty#credits) on September 21, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2016.

1. ["Frankie Starlight"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210511015749/https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/75604/frankie-starlight#credits). *[Turner Classic Movies](/source/Turner_Classic_Movies)*. [Atlanta](/source/Atlanta): [Turner Broadcasting System](/source/Turner_Broadcasting_System) ([Time Warner](/source/Time_Warner)). Archived from [the original](https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/75604/frankie-starlight#credits) on May 11, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2016.

1. Raymo, Chet (1994). [*The Dork of Cork*](https://archive.org/details/isbn_0446670006). Reprint ed. [New York City](/source/New_York_City): [Grand Central Publishing](/source/Grand_Central_Publishing). ISBN 978-0446670005.

1. ["Tanner '88"](http://www.criterion.com/films/952-tanner-88). *[The Criterion Collection](/source/The_Criterion_Collection)*. Retrieved July 20, 2016.

1. ["Tidy Endings"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180417021523/http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/479324/Tidy-Endings/#credits). *[Turner Classic Movies](/source/Turner_Classic_Movies)*. [Atlanta](/source/Atlanta): [Turner Broadcasting System](/source/Turner_Broadcasting_System) ([Time Warner](/source/Time_Warner)). Archived from [the original](https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/479324/tidy-endings#credits) on April 17, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2016.

1. [*Tidy Endings (1988)*](https://www.amazon.com/Tidy-Endings-Harvey-Fierstein/dp/B000NI8GKK) (VHS). Retrieved July 20, 2016.

1. ["The Christmas Wife"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210126122840/https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/461496/the-christmas-wife#credits). *[Turner Classic Movies](/source/Turner_Classic_Movies)*. [Atlanta](/source/Atlanta): [Turner Broadcasting System](/source/Turner_Broadcasting_System) ([Time Warner](/source/Time_Warner)). Archived from [the original](https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/461496/the-christmas-wife#credits) on January 26, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2016.

1. ["Glory! Glory!"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210303025335/https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/468423/glory-glory#credits). *[Turner Classic Movies](/source/Turner_Classic_Movies)*. [Atlanta](/source/Atlanta): [Turner Broadcasting System](/source/Turner_Broadcasting_System) ([Time Warner](/source/Time_Warner)). Archived from [the original](https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/468423/glory-glory#credits) on March 3, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2016.

### Sources

- Green, Paul (2014). [*Jeffrey Hunter, the Film, Television, Radio, and Stage Performances*](https://books.google.com/books?id=ga6DAwAAQBAJ&q=dimension+5&pg=PA120). [Jefferson, North Carolina](/source/Jefferson,_North_Carolina): [McFarland & Company](/source/McFarland_%26_Company). pp. 120–121. ISBN 978-0786478682.

## External links

- [Ruth Foster](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0288038/) at IMDb
- [Ruth Foster R. I. P.](http://westernboothill.blogspot.se/2012/05/rip-ruth-foster.html)

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Ruth Foster](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Foster) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Foster?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.