Ruby Cruz
Ruby Jean Cruz (born March 31, 2000) is an American actress. She has acted in various short films and television series including Mare of Easttown and Castle Rock, and most notably as Kit Tanthalos in Willow. In 2023, she made her feature length movie debut as Hazel Callahan in Bottoms, directed by Emma Seligman.
Ruby Cruz | |
|---|---|
 Cruz in 2026 | |
| Born | Ruby Jean Cruz[1] March 31, 2000[1] Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Father | Brandon Cruz |
Ruby Jean Cruz (born March 31, 2000)[1] is an American actress. She has acted in various short films and television series including Mare of Easttown and Castle Rock, and most notably as Kit Tanthalos in Willow.[2]
In 2023, she made her feature length movie debut as Hazel Callahan in Bottoms, directed by Emma Seligman.[3]
Career
[edit]Ruby Cruz was born to actor and musician Brandon Cruz and Liz Cruz, an entrepreneur.[1][4][5] Cruz grew up in Los Angeles, California, and began auditioning for film and television roles in high school.[6] She studied theater at DePaul University before dropping out to pursue her acting career.[6]
In 2018, Cruz played the younger version of Lizzy Caplan's character, Annie Wilkes, in Castle Rock. Cruz received praise from TVLine for the way she captured Caplan's physicality.[7] In 2020, Cruz appeared in season 10 of Blue Bloods.[8]
In 2021, Cruz appeared as Jess Riley in the HBO drama series Mare of Easttown.[9] Later that year, Cruz was cast as Kit Tanthalos, the first openly lesbian Disney princess, in the television series Willow.[10] She took over the role from friend and Mare of Easttown costar Cailee Spaeny, who dropped out due to scheduling conflicts.[11] The show, which premiered in November 2022, acts as a sequel to the 1988 film of the same title.[12][13][14]
In 2023, she appeared alongside Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri in Bottoms as Hazel Callahan, a co-founder of a high school fight club for girls.[15][16] In 2024, she joined the cast for the third season of The Sex Lives of College Girls as Ash.[17] In 2025, she starred in The Threesome, a romantic comedy film.[18] In 2026, she joined the cast of the Elden Ring film, a live-action adaptation of the game of the same name.[19] It is set for a March 2028 release.[20]
Personal life
[edit]Cruz is queer and of Mexican heritage.[21][22] Her father is American former actor and punk musician Brandon Cruz.[23] Her mother, Elizabeth "Liz" Cruz (née Finkelstein), is an entrepreneur, whom her father married in 1994 and later divorced. She has one older brother, Lincoln, born 1995.[24]
Filmography
[edit]Films
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Aging Out | June | Short film |
| The Jump | Luna | ||
| Murder On The Green | Lucy | ||
| 2019 | Spin | The School Girl | |
| 2020 | God Is a Lobster | Bea | |
| 2023 | Bottoms | Hazel Callahan | |
| 2024 | What Would Jesus Do? | Thandi | Short film |
| 2025 | By Design | Shelia the Intern | |
| Steak Dinner | Taylor | Short film | |
| The Threesome | Jenny | ||
| 2028 | Elden Ring | TBA | Filming |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Castle Rock | Teen Annie Wilkes | 2 episodes |
| 2020 | Blue Bloods | Amanda Webster | Episode: "Where the Truth Lies" |
| 2021 | Mare of Easttown | Jess Riley | 6 episodes |
| 2022 | Willow | Princess Kit Tanthalos/Young Bavmorda (voice only) | 8 episodes |
| 2024–2025 | The Sex Lives of College Girls | Ash | 5 episodes |
| 2026 | For All Mankind | Lily Dale | Main role (season 5) |
Music videos
[edit]| Year | Title | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | "Salad" | Blondshell |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "The Courtship of Eddie's Father: Biographies/Where are they now?". Sitcoms Online. January 22, 1934. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ Ropert, Sienna (February 23, 2023). "Ruby Cruz". Photobook. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
- ^ Seligman, Emma, Bottoms (Comedy), Brownstone Productions (II), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Orion Pictures, retrieved February 5, 2023
- ^ Madden, Joane (October 17, 2021). "Keeping Up With Brandon Cruz: From Child Star to Punk Rocker". TV Banter. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
- ^ Wanjala, Naomi (September 4, 2023). "Ruby Cruz's Parents Are Associated with the Arts - Facts about Them". Amo Mama. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
- ^ a b Nemiroff, Perri (December 4, 2022). "'Willow': Ruby Cruz on How She Carved Her Own Unique Path to Becoming a Disney Series Star". Collider. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
- ^ "Castle Rock's Annie (Ruby Cruz)". tvline.com. March 23, 2021.
- ^ "Ruby Cruz". tv.Apple.com.
- ^ "Keeping Track of the Massive Mare of Easttown Cast". Harpersbazaar.com. May 30, 2021.
- ^ Hogan, Heather (January 12, 2023). ""Willow" Gives Us the Lesbian Disney Princess We've Been Waiting For". Autostraddle. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
- ^ Davids, Brian (January 4, 2023). "'Willow' Star Ruby Cruz Talks Her Complicated Disney Princess and Taking Over the Role From Her Good Friend". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
- ^ "Willow reboot finds new lead star in Castle Rock actress Ruby Cruz". Yahoo.com.
- ^ "Willow': Ruby Cruz Cast As A Lead In Disney+ Series". Deadline. March 11, 2021.
- ^ "'Willow' Trailer Breakdown: The Magical Cult Classic Returns". Collider.com. September 15, 2022.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (April 11, 2022). "'Bottoms': Rachel Sennott, Ayo Edebiri, Marshawn Lynch & More To Star In High School Sex Comedy From Orion & Brownstone; 'Shiva Baby's Emma Seligman Directing". Deadline. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
- ^ Bosselman, Haley (November 29, 2022). "Ruby Cruz Talks 'Willow,' Sword Fighting And the 'Genius' of 'Bottoms'". LA Confidential. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
- ^ Dela Paz, Maggie (June 19, 2024). "The Sex Lives of College Girls Season 3 Cast Adds Bottoms' Ruby Cruz & More". Yahoo! Entertainment. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
- ^ Kassel, Mary (September 5, 2025). "The Threesome Review: Zoey Deutch Helps Save This Timely Rom-Com That Fails To Make An Impression". Screen Rant. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
- ^ Kit, Borys (April 20, 2026). "'Elden Ring' Live-Action Movie Adds Tom Burke, Havana Rose Liu, Sonoya Mizuno, Emma Laird as Production Begins". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (April 20, 2026). "Alex Garland's 'Elden Ring' Adaptation At A24 Sets A March 2028 Release In Imax; Cailee Spaeny Among New Additions To Cast". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
- ^ Seth, Kenisha (2021). "Ruby Cruz". PhotoBook Magazine. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
- ^ "Inside TV love story that's made the cast, and now fans, lose their minds". Los Angeles Times. December 21, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
- ^ Gross, Ed (September 18, 2019). "'Courtship of Eddie's Father' At 50: Bill Bixby and Others Look Back". Closer Weekly. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ "Keeping up with Brandon Cruz: From child star to punk rocker".
Further reading
[edit]- 'Willow' stars Ruby Cruz and Erin Kellyman break down that epic love scene
- ‘Willow’ Star Ruby Cruz Talks Her Complicated Disney Princess and Taking Over the Role From Her Good Friend
- Ruby Cruz Says Playing Princess Kit in Willow Was 'Empowering' And 'Therapeutic' | Exclusive
- 'Willow': Ruby Cruz on How She Carved Her Own Unique Path to Becoming a Disney Series Star
- ‘Willow’: Ruby Cruz Cast As A Lead In Disney+ Series
