Ruth Pointer

Born: 1946-03-19

Ruth Esther Pointer (born March 19, 1946) is an American singer–songwriter who is best known as the eldest member of the American family vocal group The Pointer Sisters. Joining her sisters in 1972, the Pointer Sisters released their first album in 1973. The group eventually found fame with songs like "Yes We Can Can" (1973), their country crossover hit, "Fairytale" (1974) and "How Long (Betcha Got a Chick on the Side)" before Bonnie's exit in 1977. Continuing as a trio, the group found their biggest success covering tunes of rock, pop and new wave with singles such as "Fire" (1978), "He's So Shy" (1980), and "Slow Hand" (1981). The group found its biggest success with the release of the Break Out album in 1983 which featured hits such as "Automatic", "Jump (For My Love)", a re-released version of "I'm So Excited", "Neutron Dance", and "Baby Come And Get It". It's notable for featuring Ruth's lead vocals on "Automatic" and "Neutron Dance", which hit the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 Chart and led to the group winning two Grammy Awards. Of the original members, Ruth, along with her sister Anita, are still active with The Pointer Sisters. In 1988, Pointer provided the singing voice of the character Rita the Disney film Oliver & Company, where she sang the song "Streets of Gold" as well as a reprise of the song "Why Should I Worry" with fellow cast member Billy Joel. They were joined by Ruth's daughter, Issa, in the 1990s. The group was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994. In October 2021, Pointer competed in season six of The Masked Singer as "Cupcake". Pointer revealed upon her unmasking that she was supposed to perform on the show as part of a duo with her sister Anita in a duplicated and recolored Cupcake costume. Anita was dealing with an illness, forcing Pointer to perform alone. Pointer has been married five times and has five children. The eldest are a daughter Faun (born 1965) and a son Malik (born 1966).[4] Malik is a singer. Her daughter Issa Pointer (born 1978), is from a 1977 marriage with former Temptations member Dennis Edwards. In 1984, Pointer married noted bassist Don Boyette, divorcing in 1988. Pointer married Michael Sayles in 1990 and, at the age of 47 in 1993, she gave birth to twins, a boy named Conor and a girl named Ali. Both Issa Pointer and Ruth's granddaughter Sadako Pointer (born 1984) have performed as members of the Pointer Sisters. Source: Article "Ruth Pointer" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.


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Oliver & Company

as Rita (singing voice) (uncredited)
Released: 1988-11-18

This animated take on Oliver Twist re-imagines Oliver as an adorable orphaned kitten who...

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Car Wash

as The Wilson Sister
Released: 1976-10-22

This day-in-the-life cult comedy focuses on a group of friends working at Sully Boyar's Car Wash...

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The Greatest Night in Pop

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 2024-01-19

On a January night in 1985, music's biggest stars gathered to record "We Are the World." This...

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We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song

as Self - The Pointer Sisters (uncredited)
Released: 1985-01-28

We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song is a documentary which examines how the song was...

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Voices That Care

as Self - Choir Member
Released: 1991-02-28

Behind the scenes making of the charity single "Voices That Care".

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The World According to Allee Willis

as Self
Released: 2024-11-15

Take one look at award-winning songwriter / artist Allee Willis and you see someone unafraid to...

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Bob Hope's Christmas Cheer from Saudi Arabia

as Self
Released: 1991-01-12

Three years after taping his previous show in the Persian Gulf, Bob Hope returns to the front...

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Disneyland's 30th Anniversary Celebration

as Self
Released: 1985-02-18

Broadcast on NBC February 18, 1985, the Disneyland 30th Anniversary Celebration was hosted by...

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Suzanne Somers... And 10,000 G.I.s

as The Pointer Sisters
Released: 1983-01-03

A variety special starring Suzanne Somers as she entertains Army and Air Force personnel at...

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Euro Disney Noël

as uncredited
Released: 1989-12-24

Celebrate Christmas with Disney and discover its European influences.

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The Love Boat

as Georgia, a Singer in Isaac's Backing Group
First aired: 1977-09-24

Passengers who search for romantic nights aboard a beautiful ship travelling to tropical or...

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RuPaul's Drag Race

as Self
First aired: 2009-02-02

Join RuPaul, the world's most famous drag queen, as the host, mentor and judge for the ultimate...

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RuPaul's Drag Race

as Self - Guest Judge
First aired: 2009-02-02

Join RuPaul, the world's most famous drag queen, as the host, mentor and judge for the ultimate...

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RuPaul's Drag Race

as Self - Judge (archive footage)
First aired: 2009-02-02

Join RuPaul, the world's most famous drag queen, as the host, mentor and judge for the ultimate...

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The Masked Singer

as Self
First aired: 2019-01-02

Celebrities compete in a singing competition with one major twist: each singer is shrouded from...

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The Masked Singer

as Cupcake
First aired: 2019-01-02

Celebrities compete in a singing competition with one major twist: each singer is shrouded from...

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Champs-Elysées

as Self - The Pointer Sisters
First aired: 1982-01-16

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Le Grand Échiquier

as Self
First aired: 1972-01-12

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The Carol Burnett Show

as Self
First aired: 1967-09-11

The Carol Burnett Show is an American variety/sketch comedy television show starring Carol...

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Gimme a Break!

as One of The Doo-Wop Girls
First aired: 1981-10-29

Gimme a Break! is an American sitcom which aired on NBC for six seasons, October 29, 1981, until...

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