Mercedes Ruehl Starring in Brad Furman’s Indie Drama “People Not Places”

Mercedes Ruehl is joining the people

The 76-year-old part-Cuban American Oscar-winning actress will star in director Brad Furman’s indie drama People Not Places, which was scripted by his mother Ellen Brown Furman.

Mercedes RuehlRuehl is among seven new cast additions that includes Yul Vazquez, Laurence Mason, Obba BabatundéJoey Bicicchi, Colleen Camp and Olivia Jude.

They join previously announced cast members Shirley MacLaine, Stephen Dorff, Julia Mayorga and Allegra Leguizamo.

People Not Places centers on Clare (MacLaine), an elderly widow living in Atlantic City who meets an erratic homeless man (Dorff) who sleeps in cars. Their shared loneliness causes them to bond, as they find the courage to face his regrettable past and her shortened future.

Furman and Jess Fuerst are producing the film under their Road Less Traveled Productions banner.

Best known for her Oscar-winning performance in The Fisher King, Ruehl has also been seen in films like Hustlers, Last Action Hero and Big, among many others.

She’s also been seen on series like New AmsterdamBull and Power, to name just a few.

Currently starring on MGM+’s Hotel Cocaine, Vazquez will next be seen in the Paul Greengrass film The Lost Bus for Apple TV+.

His other recent credits include Parish, White House Plumbers, Godfather of Harlem, Promised Land and Severance.

Ruehl’s a Luck’y Lady!

Luck be a lady tonight for Oscar-winner Mercedes Ruehl!

The 63-year part-Cuban actress is moving from guest star to series regular on HBO’s drama series Luck in its second season.

Mercedes Ruehl

Ruehl, who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1991 for her role in The Fisher King, plays Julietta Caligari, the mother of Renzo (Ritchie Coster). It’s a role she originates in an upcoming guest appearance on the horse racing drama series’ current freshman season.

Starring fellow Oscar winner Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte, Luck is a behind-the-scenes look at the world of horse racing and gambling’s denizens—owners, trainers, jockeys and gamblers.

Luck received a 10-episode second-season pickup last week shortly after its official premiere.

Most recently, Ruehl has appeared on Entourage, Psych and Law & Order.