Motion Picture Director. Remembered for "Cimarron" (1931), the first Western to win Best Picture. Younger brother of actor Charlie Ruggles. He started out as an actor during the 1910s. He acted in musical comedy on the stage. His first screen role was in "Caught in a Park" (1915). He appeared in Syd and Charlie Chaplin films from 1915 to 1918. Films include "The Bank," "A Submarine Pirate," and "The Pawn Shop." He played a variety of roles, including cops. He started directing in 1917 with "Bobby, Movie Director". His career was halted temporarily when he served in World War I. He was a camera operator. The majority of his silent films are lost. His silent films include "Uncharted Seas" (1921), "The Age of Innocence" (1924) and "The Plastic Age" (1925). He also directed Laura La Plante vehicles and entries in "The Collegians" film series. In 1920, he married Virginia Caldwell. They divorced in 1924. He married Arline Judge in 1931. That same year, he was nominated for Best Director. He lost to Norman Taurog. He directed the only screen pairing of Carole Lombard and Clark Gable. The film was "No Man of Her Own" (1932). In 1933, he directed Mae West in "I'm No Angel" featuring Cary Grant. His son, Wesley Jr. was born that year as well. He directed three comedies starring Claudette Colbert during the mid-1930s. They are "The Gilded Lily," "The Bride Comes Home," and "I Met Him in Paris." In 1936, he directed Gladys George to a Best Actress nomination for the drama "Valiant Is the Word for Carrie." In 1937, he and Arline Judge divorced. His career was waning. His last successes include "Arizona" and "See Here, Private Hargrove." He married Marcelle Rogez in 1940. His last film was "London Town" (1946), a British musical. It was a flop. Following this disappointment, he retired.
Motion Picture Director. Remembered for "Cimarron" (1931), the first Western to win Best Picture. Younger brother of actor Charlie Ruggles. He started out as an actor during the 1910s. He acted in musical comedy on the stage. His first screen role was in "Caught in a Park" (1915). He appeared in Syd and Charlie Chaplin films from 1915 to 1918. Films include "The Bank," "A Submarine Pirate," and "The Pawn Shop." He played a variety of roles, including cops. He started directing in 1917 with "Bobby, Movie Director". His career was halted temporarily when he served in World War I. He was a camera operator. The majority of his silent films are lost. His silent films include "Uncharted Seas" (1921), "The Age of Innocence" (1924) and "The Plastic Age" (1925). He also directed Laura La Plante vehicles and entries in "The Collegians" film series. In 1920, he married Virginia Caldwell. They divorced in 1924. He married Arline Judge in 1931. That same year, he was nominated for Best Director. He lost to Norman Taurog. He directed the only screen pairing of Carole Lombard and Clark Gable. The film was "No Man of Her Own" (1932). In 1933, he directed Mae West in "I'm No Angel" featuring Cary Grant. His son, Wesley Jr. was born that year as well. He directed three comedies starring Claudette Colbert during the mid-1930s. They are "The Gilded Lily," "The Bride Comes Home," and "I Met Him in Paris." In 1936, he directed Gladys George to a Best Actress nomination for the drama "Valiant Is the Word for Carrie." In 1937, he and Arline Judge divorced. His career was waning. His last successes include "Arizona" and "See Here, Private Hargrove." He married Marcelle Rogez in 1940. His last film was "London Town" (1946), a British musical. It was a flop. Following this disappointment, he retired.
Bio by: Miranda
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