Ruth Bernard; Ex-Showgirl, TV Hostess

Ruth Bernard, who as Ruth Brande was an Earl Carroll beauty as a young woman, and then as an older woman provided a televised showcase for talent at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, died Jan. 6 at UCLA Medical Center after a long battle with cancer. She was believed to be in her middle 70s.

Miss Brande, who married and divorced Bruno Bernard, the fabled Hollywood photographer who died in 1987, studied art at the Sorbonne in Paris before joining Earl Carroll’s revue in New York City.

She traveled to Europe with the Carroll troupe before coming to California and starring in several stage plays produced by Carroll.

In the early days of television she created and produced the “Previewers” show which originated at the Hollywood Roosevelt and featured new plays and relatively unknown casts.

Most recently, Miss Brande headed the entertainment arm of the City of Hope Medical Center in Duarte, staging plays and revues as fund-raisers.

Survivors include her daughters, Susan and Celeste, and a sister and grandson. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Performers for Hope Chapter at the City of Hope.