TCU Grad's 'True Grit' Lands Her A Role In The Film

FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) - Texas Christian University graduate Ruth Morris was chosen for a role in the recently released film "True Grit." She isn't an actress, but she knows all about grit, having lived 29 years with a disability.

True Grit is the story of Maddie Ross, a 14-year-old determined to bring her father's murderer to justice.

Morris was chosen to help portray the adult version of Maddie Ross, who is played by actress Elizabeth Marvel in the film.

"They were looking for a body double," Morris said. It was a perfect fit. "Needed to be between 5'7" to 5'9" slender to medium body build and they're very specific on missing a left arm," Morris said.

Morris, who wears a prosthetic limb, was born without a left arm. Morris said her sole scene at a train station was short but powerful in the film and on the set.

"Some of the people I worked with on the crew came up to me afterwards and had tears in their eyes and said it was just a beautiful moment," Morris said.

You won't see the TCU grad's face in the film. But she hopes she's put a face on people with disabilities. True grit in her own life was the inspiration for her role in the film.

Thinking of how she portrayed her character, Morris said she thought, "I am powerful. I am resilient. I am able to overcome. I am a person of dignity. A person of worth."

Morris isn't even an actress, though she said it was exciting to be in a major film. She's a
social worker who is comfortable in that role.

Morris helps people cope with limb loss. She just started began working on her doctorate degree in public health.