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Jack Ruby

Jack Ruby was an American nightclub owner in Dallas, Texas, best known for shooting and killing Lee Harvey Oswald, the accused assassin of President John F.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Jack Ruby was an American nightclub owner in Dallas, Texas, best known for shooting and killing Lee Harvey Oswald, the accused assassin of President John F. Kennedy, on 24 November 1963. He was convicted of murder, but his conviction was overturned on appeal before he died in 1967 while awaiting a new trial.

Early life

Jack Ruby was born Jacob Rubenstein in Chicago on 25 March 1911, the son of Polish immigrants. He later changed his name and worked in the nightclub business in Texas.

Killing of Lee Harvey Oswald

On 24 November 1963, Ruby shot Lee Harvey Oswald in the basement of Dallas Police Headquarters as Oswald was being transferred to jail. The event was captured on live television and widely broadcast.

Trial and conviction

Ruby was charged with murder with malice and convicted of first-degree murder in March 1964, receiving a death sentence. His trial drew extensive attention because of its connection to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Appeal and death

Ruby's conviction was overturned on appeal, and a new trial was ordered. He died in Dallas on 3 January 1967 from complications associated with cancer and a pulmonary embolism before the retrial could occur.

Key facts

  • Jack Ruby shot and killed Lee Harvey Oswald on 24 November 1963, two days after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
  • Ruby was a nightclub owner in Dallas, Texas, who operated establishments in the city.
  • He was convicted of murdering Oswald in 1964 and sentenced to death.
  • His conviction was overturned on appeal, and a new trial was granted.
  • Ruby died in 1967 before the retrial could take place.
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Canadian context

Jack Ruby is primarily relevant to Canadian readers through the global significance of the Kennedy assassination and its aftermath, which were widely covered in Canadian media and remain part of North American political history.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Jack Ruby?
Jack Ruby was a Dallas nightclub owner who became famous for killing Lee Harvey Oswald, the suspected assassin of President John F. Kennedy.
What was Jack Ruby's birth name?
His birth name was Jacob Rubenstein.
When did Jack Ruby shoot Lee Harvey Oswald?
He shot Oswald on 24 November 1963, two days after Kennedy was assassinated.
Was Jack Ruby convicted?
Yes. He was convicted of Oswald's murder in 1964 and sentenced to death, but the conviction was later overturned on appeal.
How did Jack Ruby die?
He died in Dallas on 3 January 1967 from complications associated with cancer and a pulmonary embolism.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jack-Ruby
    Supports: Birth, occupation, Oswald shooting, death
  2. HISTORY — https://www.history.com/articles/jack-ruby
    Supports: Birth name, trial, conviction, death
  3. Texas State Historical Association — https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/ruby-jack
    Supports: Birth name, background, Texas nightclub ownership
  4. Encyclopedia.com — https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/social-sciences-and-law/law-biographies/jack-ruby
    Supports: Identity, Oswald killing, Dallas nightclub owner
  5. HISTORY — https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/january-3/jack-ruby-dies-before-second-trial
    Supports: Death before second trial
  6. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Ruby
    Supports: Timeline, conviction overturned, death details