[citation needed] His father was a U.S. district attorney in Idaho,[1] and Ruick studied law at the University of California.

[1] During World War II, Ruick returned to uniform as a captain in the USAFF, attached to the Radio Production Unit as a producer-director.

An offer came from CBS to work as a local radio announcer while Ruick was leading a dance band in Los Angeles.

After World War II, Ruick reentered show business, touring with Leo Carrillo in a revival of The Bad Man.

While trying his luck on Broadway, Ruick received an offer to direct Paul Whiteman's radio show for the U.S. National Guard.