Ruth Myers

Two-time Academy Award Nominee Ruth Myers was brought up in Manchester, England. She trained at St. Martin's School of Art in London, then went to work at the Royal Court Theatre on a student grant, followed by a year working in repertory. Ms. Myers next returned to the Royal Court, contributing to at least 15 productions which included John Osborne's "Hotel in Amsterdam" and "Time Present", and David Hare's "Stag". Her first professional assignment was sewing sequins all night on costumes for the great designer Anthony Powell. During this period, Ms. Myers worked as assistant to the legendary Sophie Devine, who as 'Motley' had created the costumes for many of the early English classic films including director David Lean's "Great Expectations". With her encouragement, Ms. Myers started to design for the theatre and then for low-budget English films beginning in 1967 with "Smashing Time" (now famous for its era-defining Mod look), "A Touch of Class", Peter Medak's "The Ruling Class", and "The Twelve Chairs". After being persuaded to come to America by Gene Wilder, she collaborated with him on "The World's Greatest Lover," "The Woman in Red" and "Haunted Honeymoon." She also then designed for Joseph Losey's "Galileo" and "The Romantic Englishwoman." It was on this film that she met her late husband, noted Production Designer, Richard MacDonald. As a couple they enjoyed a dynamic collaboration on films that include Sydney Pollack's "The Firm"; Fred Schepsi's "Plenty" and 'The Russia House"; Norman Jewison's "And Justice For All"; Ken Russell's "Altered States"; Jack Clayton's "Something Wicked This Way Comes"; and Barry Sonnenfeld's "The Addams Family," for which Ms. Myers received an Academy Award nomination. Since 1993, she has designed more than 30 films including Curtis Hanson's "L.A. Confidential"; Douglas McGrath's "Emma," (for which she earned her second Academy Award nomination) "Nicholas Nickelby" and "Infamous"; Taylor Hackford's "Proof of Life,"; Mimi Leder's "Deep Impact"; John Curran's "The Painted Veil." Her most recent films are the forthcoming "City of Ember," directed by Gil Kenan; and "The Golden Compass," directed by Chris Weitz. In 2003 Ms. Myers designed the costumes for the pilot episode of HBO's "Carnivale," creating the look for the continuing series and garnering an Emmy.