Alma Kruger, born on either September 13, 1868, or 1871 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was a distinguished American actress whose career spanned several decades. Before making her mark in the film industry, Kruger enjoyed a robust theatrical career, particularly on Broadway, from 1907 to 1935. During this time, she showcased her talent in numerous Shakespearean productions, portraying iconic characters such as Gertrude in *Hamlet*, Olivia in *Twelfth Night*, the Widow in *The Taming of the Shrew*, and Nerissa in *The Merchant of Venice*.
Kruger made her cinematic debut in the film *These Three* in 1936, at the age of sixty, and quickly became a familiar face in Hollywood, appearing in over forty films within just over a decade. One of her most memorable roles was as Nurse Molly Byrd, the head nurse in the beloved *Dr. Kildare/Dr. Gillespie* series, where she appeared in all but the first two of the sixteen installments.
Her impressive filmography also includes significant roles such as Empress Maria Theresa in *Marie Antoinette* (1938) and the mother-in-law of Rosalind Russell’s character in *His Girl Friday* (1940). In 1942, she portrayed the cunning society matron Henrietta Sutton in Alfred Hitchcock's *Saboteur*. Kruger’s final film appearance came in *Forever Amber* in 1947, marking the end of a remarkable career in both theatre and film. She passed away on April 5, 1960.
