Hailing from Glendale, California, Rutter served in the US Air Force during World War II, as a member of the 376th Heavy Bombardment Group. He began working as a script supervisor in the 1950s, working on such television series as Annie Oakley, Fury, and Lassie. He also worked on a number of western films during the 50s, including Last of the Pony Riders, Gun Duel in Durango, and Fort Bowie. Rutter was hospitalized in June of 2007. In November of that year, Rutter died at St. Joseph's Hospital in Burbank, California, succumbing to an ongoing infection.