Ruth Kobart, 78; Performed in Theater, Movies and Television

American Conservatory Theater actress Ruth Kobart, who participated in the theater’s first San Francisco production, died Saturday. She was 78. Kobart, who had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, died at her home in San Francisco.

The actress appeared as Madame Pernelle in “Tartuffe,” the company’s first production at the Geary Theater in 1967.

“What a night it was! The house was electric, and the whole thing was a big love affair between us and the audience,” she recalled 25 years later. “The more they loved it, the better we got. We really took off with a whoosh!”

She continued to perform with the troupe off and on until 1994. She last appeared in “Home,” directed by current ACT artistic director Carey Perloff.

Born April 24, 1924, in Des Moines, Kobart began her professional life in New York, where she pursued a career in opera. She made her professional debut off Broadway as the witch in “Hansel and Gretel” with the Lemonade Opera, and then frequently performed in New York and on tour with the NBC Opera.

Kobart also performed in theater, film and TV. She was nominated for a Tony Award in 1963 for “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.” Her TV and movie career included “Bob,” “Trapper John, M.D.,” “Dirty Harry” and “Sister Act.”

She is survived by a brother, Howard Skahn of Minneapolis.