Jack Ruby, born on March 25, 1911, in Illinois, was a nightclub owner in Dallas who became infamous for his role in the assassination of Lee Harvey Oswald, the man accused of killing President John F. Kennedy. Ruby's childhood was far from ideal, as he was a juvenile delinquent who spent much of his youth in foster homes. He was the fifth of eight children born to his parents, who struggled to provide for their large family.
Despite his troubled past, Ruby went on to find some success as a nightclub owner in Dallas. He owned the Carousel Club, a popular spot in the city's nightlife scene. Ruby had ties to organized crime, which helped him establish his business and maintain his connections in the underworld. However, his involvement with criminal elements would eventually lead to his downfall.
On November 24, 1963, just two days after President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Lee Harvey Oswald was being transferred from the city jail to the county jail when Jack Ruby emerged from the crowd and shot him at point-blank range. The shocking act was captured on live television, and Ruby was immediately taken into custody.
Many conspiracy theorists believe that Ruby's actions were part of a larger conspiracy to silence Oswald and prevent him from revealing the truth about the assassination. Some speculate that Ruby was working on behalf of the mafia or other powerful individuals who wanted to cover up their involvement in the crime.
Despite his claim that he acted alone out of grief and a sense of patriotism, Ruby was charged with murder and faced a trial that never took place. Before he could stand trial, Ruby was diagnosed with lung cancer and died on January 3, 1967, in a Dallas hospital. His death sparked further speculation and fueled conspiracy theories surrounding the events of that fateful day in November.
Jack Ruby's legacy is one of infamy and mystery. His actions on that day in Dallas solidified his place in history as a controversial figure linked to one of the most significant events in American history. Despite his death before facing justice, Ruby's name continues to be associated with the JFK assassination and the countless theories and speculations that still surround it.
He was portrayed by Brian Doyle-Murray in the 1991 film JFK, which starred Kevin Costner and delved into the conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination. Ruby's story remains a compelling and tragic chapter in the tumultuous history of the 1960s.