American Conservatory Theater actress Ruth Kobart dies

Wednesday December 18, 2002

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) American Conservatory Theater actress Ruth Kobart, who participated in the theater's first San Francisco production, died Saturday. She was 78.

Kobart died at her home in San Francisco, surrounded by friends and family. She had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer seven months ago.

The actress appeared as Madame Pernelle in Tartuffe, the company's first production at the Geary Theater in 1967.

``What a night it was! The house was electric, and the whole thing was a big love affair between us and the audience,'' she recalled 25 years later. ``The more they loved it, the better we got. We really took off with a whoosh!''

She continued to perform with the troupe off and on until 1994. She last appeared in ``Home,'' directed by current ACT artistic director Carey Perloff.

Born on April 24, 1924, in Des Moines, Iowa, Kobart began her professional life in New York, where she pursued a career in opera. She made her professional debut off Broadway as the Witch in Hansel and Gretel with the Lemonade Opera, and then frequently performed in New York and on tour with NBC Opera.

Kobart had a varied career in theater, opera and film. She was nominated for a Tony Award in 1963 for her performance in ``A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.''

Her television and film career included ``Bob,'' ``Trapper John, M.D.,'' ``Dirty Harry'' and ``Sister Act.''

She is survived by a brother, Howard Skahn, of Minneapolis.

(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)