Jacob Leon "Jack" Ruby (born Jacob Leon Rubenstein, c. March 25, 1911 – January 3, 1967) was an American nightclub owner best known for fatally shooting Lee Harvey Oswald on November 24, 1963—just two days after Oswald assassinated President John F. Kennedy.
Born in Chicago, Ruby later moved to Texas, where he managed nightclubs and developed close ties with Dallas police officers. On live television, he shot Oswald inside the Dallas Police Headquarters while the suspect was being transferred to county jail. Ruby was immediately arrested and convicted of murder with malice, receiving a death sentence, which was later overturned on appeal. However, before he could stand trial again, Ruby fell ill, was diagnosed with cancer, and died of a pulmonary embolism on January 3, 1967.
Investigation and Conspiracy Theories
In 1964, the Warren Commission concluded that Ruby acted alone in killing Oswald, motivated by a spontaneous emotional response to Kennedy’s assassination. The Commission found no credible evidence linking Ruby to a larger conspiracy.
However, Ruby's swift murder of Oswald—before the accused assassin could stand trial—fueled numerous conspiracy theories about the Kennedy assassination, some of which continue to persist today.
Early Life and Career
Jack Ruby was born Jacob Leon Rubenstein around March 25, 1911, in the Maxwell Street area of Chicago, to Polish-Jewish immigrants Joseph Rubenstein and Fannie Turek Rutkowski (or Rokowsky). He was one of ten surviving children.
His childhood was troubled—his parents had a violent relationship, frequently separated, and his mother was eventually institutionalized. Ruby was often in trouble with the law; he was arrested at age 11 for truancy and later sent to a juvenile institution.
As a young man, he worked various odd jobs, including selling horse-racing tip sheets and working for a waste collectors' union that later became part of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. He was nicknamed "Sparky", reportedly after a slow-moving horse in the comic strip Barney Google. However, he disliked the nickname and would fight anyone who called him that.
During the 1940s, Ruby spent time at race tracks in Illinois and California. In 1943, he was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Forces, serving as an aircraft mechanic during World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1946.
Move to Dallas and Nightclub Business
In 1947, Ruby moved to Dallas, Texas, allegedly after business failures in Chicago. He helped manage his sister’s nightclub and eventually shortened his surname from Rubenstein to Ruby. He later ran several nightclubs, strip clubs, and dance halls.
Ruby cultivated close relationships with Dallas police officers, providing them with free drinks, prostitutes, and other favors. Over the years, he racked up nine criminal charges, including assault and liquor law violations.
Despite his social connections, Ruby was described as a man desperate for attention, prone to violent outbursts, and financially struggling. Witnesses reported that he frequently attacked customers and employees at his club, sometimes throwing them down the stairs.
Alleged Criminal Ties
There have been allegations that Ruby was involved in illegal gambling, narcotics, and prostitution. A 1956 FBI report claimed Ruby had ties to a Texas-Mexico drug smuggling operation. Dallas County Sheriff Steve Guthrie told the FBI that he suspected Ruby was involved in vice operations.
Dallas radio DJ Kenneth Dowe testified that Ruby was known for procuring women for visitors in town. However, no concrete evidence linked Ruby to organized crime beyond speculation.
November 22, 1963: The Kennedy Assassination
On the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, Ruby was placing nightclub advertisements at the Dallas Morning News offices, five blocks from Dealey Plaza, when he heard the news. Witnesses described him as visibly shaken.
That evening, he was spotted inside the Dallas Police Headquarters, where Oswald was in custody. He even attended a press conference, impersonating a journalist and correcting District Attorney Henry Wade on Oswald’s alleged ties to pro-Castro groups.
November 24, 1963: Murder of Lee Harvey Oswald
On November 24, at 11:21 a.m., Oswald was being escorted by Dallas police detectives Jim Leavelle and L.C. Graves through the police basement, preparing for transfer to county jail.
Ruby, who was standing in a crowd of reporters, suddenly lunged forward, aimed a .38 caliber Colt Cobra revolver at Oswald’s abdomen, and fired a single shot, mortally wounding him.
Detective Billy Combest later described Ruby’s expression as one of determination. Oswald collapsed, clutching his side. He was rushed to Parkland Memorial Hospital—the same hospital where Kennedy had died two days earlier—but was pronounced dead at 1:07 p.m.
Millions of people watched the shooting live on TV. The moment was also captured in Pulitzer Prize-winning photographs, including one by Robert H. Jackson.
Public Reaction and Conspiracy Theories
Ruby’s actions sparked outrage and speculation. Many believed his killing of Oswald silenced key information about Kennedy’s assassination.
-
Former Vice President Richard Nixon stated:
"Oswald was entitled to a trial ... two wrongs don't make a right."
-
However, some praised Ruby, believing he avenged Kennedy. Outside the Dallas Police Headquarters, a crowd applauded upon hearing that Oswald had been shot.
Trial and Death Sentence
Ruby claimed he acted out of patriotism and wanted to spare Jacqueline Kennedy the ordeal of a trial. His trial began in February 1964, and he was convicted of murder and sentenced to death.
However, in 1966, his conviction was overturned on appeal due to improper jury selection and a request for a change of venue. A new trial was granted, but Ruby fell gravely ill before it could begin.
Illness and Death
In December 1966, Ruby was diagnosed with lung cancer, which had spread to his liver and brain. On January 3, 1967, he died of a pulmonary embolism at Parkland Hospital, the same place where both Kennedy and Oswald had died.
Legacy
The Warren Commission ruled that Ruby acted alone, motivated by emotion rather than conspiracy. However, his murder of Oswald remains a pivotal moment in American history, fueling decades of speculation about the true circumstances surrounding Kennedy’s assassination.