Chrystie Jordan is a former child actress who is best known for playing the title character as a young girl in the 1960 film “The Story of Ruth”. The film, based on the biblical story of Ruth and Boaz, was her debut and her only film role. She also appeared in several TV shows, such as “Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre”, “Perry Mason”, and “Leave It to Beaver”. But what happened to her after she left the acting profession in 1967? Here is a brief biography of Chrystie Jordan and her life after Hollywood.
Early Life and Career
Chrystie Jordan was born on March 6, 1950 in Seattle, Washington, USA. Her birth name was Chrystine Lorraine Jordan. She was the daughter of Richard Leon Jordan and his wife, who moved to Granada Hills, California when she was young. She had a younger sister named Allison. She attended the DeLaSalle School, a Catholic school in Granada Hills, and took ballet lessons as well.
According to IMDb, a friend of her mother’s was going to an agent’s office with her child and asked the Jordans along for the drive. The agent signed Chrystie to make her TV debut in a commercial. She did a few commercials and made a few TV appearances, then landed the role of Ruth in the 20th Century-Fox production of “The Story of Ruth”. She played the Moabite girl who followed her mother-in-law Naomi to Bethlehem and later married Boaz, a wealthy landowner. The film was directed by Henry Koster and starred Stuart Whitman, Tom Tryon, Peggy Wood, and Elana Eden as the adult Ruth.
Other TV Roles and Retirement
After her film debut, Chrystie Jordan continued to act in TV shows, mostly in guest roles. She appeared in “Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre” in 1963, “Perry Mason” in 1964, “My Three Sons” in 1965, and “Leave It to Beaver” in 1966. She also starred in a TV movie called “The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.” in 1966, playing Dianne Ferguson. Her last TV appearance was in “The F.B.I.” in 1967, playing Kathy.
According to Biography, Chrystie Jordan left the acting profession in 1967, when she was 17 years old. She decided to pursue other interests and live a normal life away from the spotlight. She got married twice and had three children. Her first husband was Jay Tuck Koetter, whom she married on March 12, 1970 and divorced on October 30, 1978. They had one child, a son named Will Lange. Her second husband was William Knute Lange Jr, whom she married on December 24, 1984 and divorced later. They had two children, a son and a daughter.
Where Is She Now?
According to IMDb, Chrystie Jordan lives in San Diego, California. She is 73 years old as of 2023. She is not active in the entertainment industry anymore, but she is still remembered by fans of “The Story of Ruth” and other classic TV shows. Her son, Will Lange, is in the film industry, working as a producer and director. He has worked on films such as “The Last Samurai”, “The Bourne Identity”, and “The Mummy”. He is also the founder and CEO of a production company called Lange Film.
Chrystie Jordan is one of the many child actors who had a brief but memorable career in Hollywood. She played a role that touched the hearts of many viewers and inspired them with her faith and loyalty. She may not have pursued acting as an adult, but she left a lasting impression on the screen. She is a part of the history of cinema and television, and a part of the story of Ruth.