Birth of Jacob Rubenstein
Birth of Jacob Rubenstein
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Jack Ruby Biography and Timeline
Follow Jack Ruby through 63 dated historical records for United States of America.
Jack Ruby, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
63Distinct records
1 of 2Page
1911–1963Years on this page
1911
1945
Singapore Supper Club Financing
Ruby contributed $1,100 toward the lease of the Singapore Supper Club, the Dallas nightclub his sister Eva Grant was preparing to operate.
1947
Bureau of Narcotics Interview
Federal narcotics agents interviewed Jack and Hyman Rubenstein after Paul Roland Jones was arrested; both brothers acknowledged knowing Jones but denied knowing about his narcotics activity.
Singapore Supper Club
Opens the Singapore Supper Club
1953
Ervay Theater
Ruby briefly managed the Ervay Theater, a Dallas motion-picture house, during a period when nightclub operations were otherwise his principal business.
1959
Havana Visit
HSCA records showed that Jack Ruby entered Cuba on August 8, 1959, during a period when his friend Lewis McWillie was working in Havana gambling operations.
Havana Visit
Ruby visited Havana in 1959 at the invitation of Lewis McWillie, who supervised gambling activities at the Tropicana Hotel; Ruby later described the trip as recreational.
Lewis McWillie Association
The HSCA described Lewis McWillie as one of Ruby's closest friends and noted McWillie's business and personal ties to organized crime figures including Meyer Lansky and Santos Trafficante.
Possible Trafficante Meeting
The HSCA developed circumstantial evidence that Ruby may have met Santos Trafficante in Cuba, but concluded that the evidence was insufficient to determine conclusively whether the meeting occurred.
1963
Jada Recruitment
Ruby traveled to New Orleans in June 1963 and recruited the stripper known as Jada to become a featured performer at the Carousel Club.
New York Talent Trip
Ruby traveled to New York in August 1963 while dealing with American Guild of Variety Artists problems and seeking entertainment talent for his clubs.
Irwin Weiner Telephone Call
The HSCA found that Ruby called Chicago bondsman Irwin Weiner on October 26, 1963, and was not satisfied with Weiner's later explanation that the call concerned only Ruby's labor dispute.
Nofio Pecora Telephone Call
The HSCA found that Ruby called a New Orleans trailer park office associated with Marcello lieutenant Nofio Pecora on October 30, 1963, although Pecora denied speaking with Ruby.
How Hollywood Makes Movies
Ruby assisted the producers of the carnival show "How Hollywood Makes Movies" when it appeared at the Texas State Fair in October 1963.
Barney Baker Telephone Call
The HSCA confirmed that Ruby telephoned Hoffa associate Barney Baker on November 7, 1963, and Baker said Ruby was seeking assistance with a nightclub labor dispute.
Second Barney Baker Call
The HSCA established that Ruby made a second lengthy call to Barney Baker on November 8, 1963, despite Baker's later denial that the second conversation occurred.
AGVA Complaint
Ruby telephoned an American Guild of Variety Artists representative in Chicago on November 20 to complain about competitors' striptease contests and amateur performances.
Bon Vivant Room
Around midnight after the evening of November 21, Ruby met Chicago businessman Lawrence Meyers and Meyers' relatives at the Bon Vivant Room of the Dallas Cabana.
Carousel Membership Cards
Ruby distributed Carousel Club membership cards on November 21 as part of his routine promotional activity before the assassination.
Carousel Rent Payment
On November 21, Ruby paid the rent for the Carousel Club premises while conducting routine business before President Kennedy arrived in Dallas.
Dinner with Ralph Paul
Ruby ate dinner with his friend and financial backer Ralph Paul between about 9:45 and 10:45 p.m. on November 21.
Federal Tax Attorney Consultation
Ruby consulted an attorney on November 21 about continuing problems with federal tax authorities and his nightclub tax liabilities.
Peace Bond Consultation
Ruby conferred about a peace bond on November 21 that resulted from a dispute and fight involving one of his striptease performers.
William Alexander Meeting
Ruby spoke with Dallas County Assistant District Attorney William F. Alexander on November 21 about insufficient-funds checks written by one of Ruby's friends.
Alex Gruber Telephone Call
At 2:37 p.m. on November 22, Ruby telephoned boyhood friend Alex Gruber in Los Angeles and became emotional while discussing the assassination.
Alice Nichols Telephone Call
Ruby spoke by telephone with former girlfriend Alice Nichols on November 22 and expressed shock over President Kennedy's assassination.
Carousel Night Receipts
After leaving the Dallas Cabana, Ruby returned to the Carousel Club, closed the establishment, and collected the night's receipts before visiting the Vegas Club.
Eileen Kaminsky Telephone Call
After learning of Kennedy's death, Ruby telephoned his sister Eileen Kaminsky in Chicago; she later described him as crying and completely unnerved.
Hyman Rubenstein Telephone Call
Shortly after 9 p.m., Ruby telephoned his brother Hyman and two sisters in Chicago and discussed his distress about events in Dallas.
Kosher Sandwich Purchase
At about 10:30 p.m., Ruby purchased eight kosher sandwiches and ten soft drinks after hearing that Dallas police officers were working overtime.
Ritz Delicatessen Purchase
Ruby bought a large quantity of cold cuts at the Ritz Delicatessen after his sister Eva Grant reminded him to obtain food for the weekend.
Weekend Closure Advertisement
Unable to cancel his newspaper advertisement, Ruby changed it to announce that the Carousel and Vegas clubs would remain closed for the weekend.
Weissman Advertisement Reaction
At the Dallas Morning News, Ruby criticized the black-bordered "Welcome Mr. Kennedy" advertisement and questioned the identity of its listed chairman, Bernard Weissman.
Dallas Times-Herald Visit
Around 4 a.m., Ruby visited the Dallas Times-Herald composing room, discussed seeing Oswald at the press conference, and spoke about closing his clubs.
David Johnston Introduction
Ruby introduced himself to Justice of the Peace David L. Johnston after the press conference and gave Johnston a Carousel Club business card.
Dealey Plaza Visit
Ruby said he visited Dealey Plaza on November 23, viewed memorial wreaths, and spoke with a police officer about the Texas School Book Depository.
Fair Play for Cuba Correction
During the Oswald press conference, Ruby joined reporters in correcting District Attorney Henry Wade when Wade mistakenly referred to the "Free Cuba Committee."
Free Cuba Committee Correction
At Oswald's press appearance, Ruby corrected District Attorney Henry Wade when Wade mistakenly referred to the Fair Play for Cuba Committee as the Free Cuba Committee.
Henry Wade Introduction
After the press conference, Ruby approached District Attorney Henry Wade, identified himself, and reminded Wade that he operated the Vegas Club.
Henry Wade Radio Interview
Ruby helped KLIF obtain a telephone interview with District Attorney Henry Wade by locating Wade at police headquarters and bringing him to the telephone.
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.