His 60 year career as a professional performer included eight seasons
at the Stratford Festival, three national tours with the Canadian Opera
Company, over 30 productions at Neptune Theatre and countless other
performances at theaters across Canada and the United States. He was a
veteran of over 200 CBC Radio dramas and countless television and film
performances. For his last performances, he appeared as Pope Calixtus
in the feature film "The Conclave" and as Wilbur in the mobile device
movie, "The Electric Chair". A life member of ACTRA, Rutten served as
Branch Councillor for ACTRA Maritimes. Joseph was a good person who
made a tremendous contribution to the performing arts.
Performed at Canada's Stratford Festival for the first time, and
for several years after that
He was an accomplished at binding books by hand. Some of his work has
been donated to the archives at Dalhousie University. He trained at the
Dawson Print Shop in Halifax N.S. Canada.
Lover of classical and folk music. His vast collection of CDs and LPs
have been donated to the Dalhousie University Music Department in
Halifax, N.S. Canada.