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
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]
Cruz is queer and of Mexican heritage.[18][19] Her father is American former actor and punk musician Brandon Cruz.[20] 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.[21]
