Therese Ann Rutherford[1] (November 2, 1917 – June 11, 2012) was a Canadian-born American actress in film, radio, and television.

Soon afterwards, her parents separated and Lucille Mansfield moved to Los Angeles, with Ann and her sister Laurette, who later became known as Judith Arlen.

[3][4] While roller skating home from middle school in Hollywood, Rutherford would stop at some of the radio studios to listen to voice actors perform.

Rutherford soon established herself as a popular leading lady of Western films at Republic, costarring with actors Gene Autry and John Wayne.

MGM boss Louis Mayer initially refused the loan because he considered the role too minor, but Rutherford passionately appealed to him to change his mind.

[5] From 1937 until 1942, Rutherford portrayed Polly Benedict in the MGM Andy Hardy youth comedy film series starring Mickey Rooney.

[9] Rutherford died on June 11, 2012, aged 94 at her home in Beverly Hills, California, following declining health due to heart problems.