Jane Russell
Biography
Jane Russell was an American film and television actress born on June 21, 1921, in Bemidji, Minnesota, and she died on February 28, 2011, in Santa Maria, California. Also known by the name Ernestine Jane Geraldine Russell, she was one of Hollywood leading sex symbols in the 1940s and 1950s. She moved from the Midwest to California and had her first film role in 1943 with The Outlaw. Over her career, she starred in over 20 films and had 79 known credits in acting. She delved into music in 1947 and again in the 1960s while completing several films. Married three times and an adoptive mother of three children, she also founded the World Adoption International Fund in 1955.
Career overview
Jane Russell was born Ernestine Jane Geraldine Russell on June 21, 1921, in Bemidji, Minnesota. She was an American film and television actress who became one of Hollywood's leading sex symbols in the 1940s and 1950s. Moving from the Midwest to California, she secured her first film role in 1943 with The Outlaw. Over the course of her career, she starred in over twenty films.
In 1947, Russell expanded into music before returning to her film work. She starred in multiple films throughout the 1950s, after which she again returned to music while also completing several additional films in the 1960s. Her acting credits span numerous productions, and she is known for her work in films and television programs including The Outlaw, L. A. - Prisne tajne, The Red Skelton Show, and Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse.
Outside of her performing career, Russell married three times, adopted three children, and founded the World Adoption International Fund in 1955. She passed away on February 28, 2011, at the age of 89 in Santa Maria, California.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about Jane Russell.
Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
84 titles- Reframed: Marilyn Monroe (2022) as archive footage
- Dream Girl: The Making of Marilyn Monroe (2022)
- Becoming Marilyn (2022) as (archive footage)
- The True Adventures of Raoul Walsh (2014) as Self
- Marilyn Monroe: In The Movies (2012)
- Marilyn at the Movies (2011) as Self (archive footage)
- Worst In Show (2011) as Self
- Marilyn Monroe: I Want to Be Loved (2010) as Self
- Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1950s: The Golden Era of the Musical (2009) as Self (archive)
- Hollywood on Fire (2009) as Self
- Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History (2008) as Self
- Jerry Lewis - König der Komödianten (2006) as Self (archive footage)
- Jane Russell - Der Star aus dem Heu (2006) as Self
- Hollywood Legenden (2004) as Self
- Männer im Trenchcoat, Frauen im Pelz (2004) as Self
- 100 Greatest Sexy Moments (2003) as Self
- Cleavage (2002)
- The Complete Marilyn Monroe (2001) as Self
- Marilyn on Marilyn (2001) as Self (archive footage)
- Howard Hughes: His Women and His Movies (2000) as Self
- Scene by Scene (1997) as Self
- Vincent Price: The Versatile Villain (1997) as Self
- Private Screenings (1996) as Self
- Love in Hollywood (1996) as Self
- Private Screenings: Robert Mitchum and Jane Russell (1996) as Self
- The Casting Couch (1995)
- Inside the Dream Factory (1995) as Self
- Legends in Light: The Photography of George Hurrell (1995) as Self (archive footage)
- Marilyn Monroe: Portrait of a Legend...Suicide Or Murder? (1995)
- The Discovery Of Marilyn Monroe (1991)
- Robert Mitchum: The Reluctant Star (1991) as Self
- The Tip of the Iceberg (1989)
- Biography (1987) as Self
- Hollywood Uncensored (1987) as Self
- Norma Jean Alias Marilyn Monroe (1987) as archive footage
- Hollywood's Hidden Secrets (1987) as Self
- Marilyn Monroe: Beyond the Legend (1986) as archive footage
- Marilyn Monroe (1986) as archive footage
- Hunter (1984) as Ava Fontaine
- Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage (1983) as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Night of 100 Stars (1982) as Self
- Showbiz Goes to War (1982) as (archive footage)
- V.I.P. Schaukel (1971) as Self
- Darker Than Amber (1970) as Alabama Tigress
- Cauliflower Cupids (1970) as Nira DiLaurento
- The Born Losers (1967) as Mrs. Shorn
- Mondo Hollywood (1967)
- Johnny Reno (1966) as Nona Williams
- The Legend of Marilyn Monroe (1966)
- Waco (1966) as Jill Stone
- Fate Is the Hunter (1964) as Self
- Marilyn (1963) as archive footage
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse (1958)
- The All-Star Christmas Show (1958) as Self
- Tonight Starring Jack Paar (1957) as Self
- The Fuzzy Pink Nightgown (1957) as Laurel Stevens
- The Fuzzy Pink Nightgown (1957) Producer
- The Steve Allen Show (1956) as Self - Singer
- The Steve Allen Show (1956) as Self - Guest
- Hot Blood (1956) as Annie Caldash
- The Revolt of Mamie Stover (1956) as Mamie Stover
- Run for the Sun (1956) Executive Producer
- The Tall Men (1955) as Nella Turner
- Gentlemen Marry Brunettes (1955) as Bonnie Jones / Mimi Jones
- Underwater! (1955) as Theresa Gray
- Foxfire (1955) as Amanda
- Foxfire (1955) Executive Producer
- The French Line (1954) as Mary 'Mame' Carson
- Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) as Dorothy Shaw
- Macao (1952) as Julie Benson
- The Las Vegas Story (1952) as Linda Rollins
- Son of Paleface (1952) as Mike 'The Torch' Delroy
- Road to Bali (1952) as Jane Russell (uncredited)
- Montana Belle (1952) as Belle Starr
- Double Dynamite (1951) as Mildred 'Mibs' Goodhue
- His Kind of Woman (1951) as Lenore Brent
- What's My Line? (1950) as Self
- The Colgate Comedy Hour (1950) as Self
- The Colgate Comedy Hour (1950)
- The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
- The Paleface (1948) as Calamity Jane
- Young Widow (1946) as Joan Kenwood
- The Outlaw (1943) as Rio McDonald
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Jane Russell best known for?
Jane Russell is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Paranormal Activity 2 (2010), Biography (1987), Hollywood Uncensored (1987), Hunter (1984).
When and where was Jane Russell born?
Jane Russell was born on June 21, 1921 in Bemidji, Minnesota, USA. They passed away on February 28, 2011.
How many credits does Jane Russell have?
Jane Russell has accumulated over 84 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1943 to 2022.
What is Jane Russell's background in cinema and television?
Jane Russell was an American film and television actress born on June 21, 1921, in Bemidji, Minnesota, and she died on February 28, 2011, in Santa Maria, California. Also known by the name Ernestine Jane Geraldine Russell, she was one of Hollywood leading sex symbols in the 1940s and 1950s. She moved from the Midwest t...
Jane Russell by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Private Screenings (1996) as Self — aged about 75
- V.I.P. Schaukel (1971) as Self — aged about 50
- Tonight Starring Jack Paar (1957) as Self — aged about 36
- Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) as Dorothy Shaw — aged about 32
- Hunter (1984) as Ava Fontaine — aged about 63
- What's My Line? (1950) as Self — aged about 29
What viewers say
No comments yet. Be the first to share your take on Jane Russell.