Biography

Cheryl Arutt is an American actress who has appeared in commercials, print, soaps, TV movies and feature films. She was discovered when she accompanied her mother at age two to lunch with a friend who worked at Ted Bates Advertising Agency in New York City; the casting director convinced her mother to send her photo to an agent. She was signed on the spot by Rosemary Brian at Mary Ellen White, and first appeared at the age of three in a Sarah Lee cake commercial. Hundreds of commercials followed, as well as appearances in The Secret Storm (1954), Guiding Light (1952), All My Children (1970) and As the World Turns (1956). Modeling jobs included the cover of Seventeen Magazine. She appeared in numerous "After School Specials" as a teenager with actors like Tracey Gold, Martha Plimpton, Terry O'Quinn, Ricky Paull Goldin, Betty Buckley, Edward Albert and Cynthia Nixon. She was nominated for a Youth In Film Award for her title role as an Amish girl in the NBC Special Treat (1975) episode Bobby and Sarah in the "Best Young Actress in a Family Film Made for TV" category. After she moved to Los Angeles she was seen in TV series guest appearances on Murder, She Wrote (1984), Kay O'Brien (1986) and Charles in Charge (1984). Her turn in the The Magical World of Disney (1954) episode titled Davy Crockett: Rainbow in the Thunder (featuring Johnny Cash and Samantha Eggar) as young Ory Palmer garnered critical acclaim as Davy's love interest. After more than 20 years as a successful working actress in New York and Hollywood, she retired to attend UCLA, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude. She earned a Doctor of Psychology degree from the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) and became a clinical psychologist specializing in working with creative artists, including actors, writers, directors, cinematographers, studio executives and other entertainment professionals. As Dr. Cheryl Arutt, she has helped many creative artists learn to hold onto themselves and clear obstacles to their professional and personal success. She is in practice in Beverly Hills as a psychologist, and also works as an expert witness and media consultant. Dr. Arutt has appeared as an expert on television in local live television, in documentaries, and as an expert commentator on Turner's truTV (formerly Court TV), Prime News, Headline News (HLN), and as a featured expert on 60 Minutes (1968).