[17] Russell used the pen name C.A. Born on June 21, 1921, Ernestine Jane Russell grew up in a Bible-loving household, the oldest child and only daughter in a brood of five. She was signed by Howard Hughes for his production of The Outlaw (1943) in 1941, the film that was to make Jane famous. George Cukor told her to "play her as a freak". Rosalind Russell, Chris Chase (1979). Jane Russell was one of the most famous actresses in Hollywood during the 1940's and 1950's. After coming to the public's attention for her appearance in Howard Hughes's 'The Outlaw' in 1943, she became known more for her voluptuous 38D-24-36 figure than for her acting ability. In 1953, Russell and her first husband, former Los Angeles Rams quarterback Bob Waterfield, formed Russ-Field Productions. Gail Russell Photo, Jane Fonda Photo, 1936 Year Collectible Vehicle Original Photos, 1936 Year Automobilia, Shirtless Photo, Stockings Photo, After being reminded by his wife, Alice, of his reluctance to attend even a party that Jane Russell was throwing, an insulted Kramden rants, "I was talking about Jane Russell: I said nothing about any party that Norton's running!". Her father was a United States Army lieutenant and her mother had been a student of drama and an actress with a traveling troupe. She was 89. Following the success of The Outlaw, Russell tried her hand at a musical careerbut it didnt exactly go as she planned. She left a pub with a man, and the next day her remains were found in her burned out home. The film was finally fully released in 1946, and it was a hit. Jane Austen Book Club (2007) . services and The controversy over The Outlaw had made a star of Russell, and its success just cemented her place in Hollywood. [22] Cary Grant then spent weeks greeting Russell each morning on set with the question "Have you met Freddie Brisson?" Marilyn Monroe in a scene from her 20th movie appearance "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" 1953 483623. Born in London, having lived in southwest Wales, and now, southern France, she drew from the castles and landscapes there to inspire her historical fiction. Ernestine Jane Geraldine Russell (June 21, 1921 February 28, 2011) was an American actress, singer, and model. Sandra Storme, circa 1930s. There, she took voice lessons and had a brief career in opera, which was cut short because she had difficulty reaching high notes. Hughes insisted that he could make Russell a star, and before long, she had signed a seven-year contract with him. She was named Ernestine Jane Geraldine Russell. [14] She was then cast as catty gossip Sylvia Fowler in the comedy The Women (1939), directed by George Cukor. Although the film was made in 1941, it was not released until two years later and then only on a limited basis due to the way the film portrayed Jane's assets. Geraldine Russell had been an actress before starting their family in Bemidji, Minnesota. Jane Russell may be best known for being the brunette in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Her father was a United States Army lieutenant and her mother had been a student of drama and an actress with a traveling troupe. Howard Hughes bought RKO Pictures, and would be Russell's main employer for the next few years. In addition to her comedic roles, Russell was known for playing dramatic characters, often wealthy, dignified, and stylish women. When Hughes laid eyes upon Russells soon-to-be-infamous figure, he saw dollar signsand he acted on it in a truly bizarre way. Hughes infamous invented bra now lives in a Hollywood museum. Here is a glamorous photo collection that shows classic beauties with cigarettes from the 1930s and 1960s. Her MA in Art History is from Concordia University, where her area of study was contemporary Canadian art. Boost. Then, a few years later after suffering from a respiratory illness, tragedy struck. She explained that the blonde bombshell had been preparing to remarry Joe DiMaggio, and had been excited about a new movie contract. [29][30], Russell moved into television, appearing in episodes of Colgate Theatre, Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse, Death Valley Days (the "Splinter Station", 1960) and The Red Skelton Hour. Backed by an orchestra conducted by Lyn Murray, their choral single "Do Lord" reached number 27 on the Billboard singles chart in May 1954, selling two million copies. In addition to music, she was interested in drama and participated in stage productions at Van Nuys High School. "Trouble with Angels," on March 15, is a light-hearted comedy from director Ida Lupino. Scheuer, Philip K., "Jane Russell, Sultry Star of 1940s and '50s, Dies at 89", "Cabin Country: Dwelling's story courses through Bemidji history", "Jane Russell, Connie Haines, Rhonda Fleming, Beryl Davis, Della Russell Feel The Spirit", "Actresses Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell putting signatures, hand and foot prints in cement at Grauman's Theater, 1953, From Marilyn to Julia, Audrey to Angelina the most iconic beauties from the silver screen, "Legendary GI pin-up Jane Russell dies at 89", "Hollywood screen siren Jane Russell dies", "Former Sedona resident and 1950's bombshell Jane Russell dies", "Philomena: nun too sloppy when it comes to the facts", "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes star Jane Russell dies at 89", "Jane Russell, Star of Westerns, Dies at 89", "Jane Russell Star of '40s and '50s films dies at 89", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jane_Russell&oldid=1134669219, This page was last edited on 19 January 2023, at 22:34. The story was unearthed by Derry historian Willie Deery who said the move caused all sorts of problems for Russell at the time, according to the Belfast Telegraph. [4] Her handprints and footprints are immortalized at Grauman's Chinese Theatre,[33] and she has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6850 Hollywood Boulevard. In the early 50s, the longtime couple adopted a baby girl. When she plead ignorance of Hollywood (while wearing her worst-fitting clothes), Universal released her and she signed with MGM for seven years.For some time she was used in secondary roles and as a replacement threat to limit Myrna Loy's salary demands. Sister-in-law of actress Elizabeth Russell. Jane modeled on the side and was very much sought-after especially because of her figure.She managed to save enough money to go to drama school, with the urging of her mother. Jane Geraldine Russell died at her home in Santa Maria of a respiratory-related illness on February 28, 2011 . Thankfully, the flick was a massive hit for Paramount that yearbut for Russell, the best was yet to come. By Nancy Collins. She was a staunch Republican and devout Christianthat's not an exaggeration. She admitted that she had a drinking problem and entered rehaball at the age of 79 years old. Irish sport images provided by Inpho Photography Finally, the film gained general release in 1946. Daughter-in-law Etta Waterfield told CNN that Russell was a "pillar of health" but caught a bad cold and died of respiratory difficulties. [19] Russell also won five Golden Globe Awards in her career and a Tony Award. First, she urged her young daughter to take piano lessons. [10], Under contract to MGM, Russell debuted in Evelyn Prentice (1934). She put in the work, and eventually, the critics came around to appreciating her not just for her body, but for her talent as well. [8] She was named after a ship on which her parents had traveled. Russell and McDermott came to an agreement over little Thomas and soon after, Russell took him home and the Waterfields became a family of four. Any other star mightve taken offense, but Russell had a great sense of humor. It was such a grueling process, Russell later said that she felt as it she spent the first half of the 1940s doing nothing but promoting her debut film. [3], Her father had been a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army, and her mother an actress with a road troupe;[4] her mother was also the subject of a portrait by Mary Bradish Titcomb, Portrait of Geraldine J., which received public attention when purchased by Woodrow Wilson. Courage, Affliction, Defeat. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The voluptuous Russell was a popular pin-up during the Korean War as wellso popular, that the forces there named a pair of embattled hills in her honor. There was a major scandal and a court case, after which Russell was allowed to formalise the adoption."[41]. INTERVIEW BY M.N. Marilyn Monroe once said, "Jane tried to convert me (to religion), and I tried to introduce her to Freud". However, she also revealed her own dark suspicions about Monroes infamously tragic end. advertising. The type of films that Hughes cast Russell in focused only on her body, and she never really got a chance to show off her acting chops in those years. Ernestine Jane Geraldine Russell (June 21, 1921 - February 28, 2011) was an American actress, singer, and model. November 5, 1977. Condition: New New. McKnight again in 1971, when she was credited as screenwriter for adapting the novel The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax into the screenplay for Mrs. Pollifax-Spy, in which she also starred. [7] Her early ambition was to be a designer of some kind, until the death of her father in his mid-40s, when she decided to work as a receptionist after graduation. Many expected the young couple to start a family, but sadly, Russell was hiding a dark secret. [4], On the musical front, Russell formed a gospel quartet in 1954, with three other members of a faith-sharing group called the Hollywood Christian Group. I've seen plenty of pin-up pictures that have sex appeal, interest, and allure, but they're not vulgar. It was yet another setback for Russell, but her patience would soon pay off. In 1950, she recorded a single, "Kisses and Tears", with Frank Sinatra and The Modernaires for Columbia. Russ-Field also made some films without Russell for United Artists: The King and Four Queens (1956) starring Clark Gable and Eleanor Parker (co-produced with Gable's company), and Run for the Sun (1956) starring Richard Widmark and Jane Greer. Russell was acclaimed when she co-starred with Robert Young in the MGM drama West Point of the Air (1935). She refused to be placed in the Best Supporting Actress category when Columbia Pictures wanted to promote her for an Academy Award nomination for her role in Picnic (1955). Her "boss lady" roles began with the part of reporter Hildy Johnson in His Girl Friday (1940), through whose male lead, Cary Grant, she met her future husband, Grant's house-guest at the time.In her forties, she returned to the stage, touring "Bell, Book and Candle" in 1951 and winning a Tony Award for "Wonderful Town" in 1953. She perished young, at just 53and the circumstances are chilling. Many felt she would have won had she cooperated. She sang with the Kay Kyser Orchestra on radio, and recorded two singles with his band, "As Long As I Live" and "Boin-n-n-ng!" It has emerged that she and her husband adopted their son Thomas Waterfield in 1952 in a move that sparked controversy and almost ended her a career according to the BBC. Russell and Brisson were married 35 years, until her death. A Town Called Hollywood: Top Stars Now Share in Profits of Major Pictures". The screen siren was 89 years old. Also in the 1970s, Russell started appearing in television commercials as a spokeswoman for Playtex "'Cross-Your-Heart Bras' for us full-figured gals", featuring the "18-Hour Bra", still one of International Playtex's best-known products even as of early March 2011. The timing revealed the dark side of her previous marriage. At Factinate, were dedicated to getting things right. It took time, but eventually Russell found love again. Hannah McDermott, meanwhile, was charged with breaking adoption laws, and people angrily protested outside Russells home. Of course, that job ended up leading her back to the stage anyway, when Howard Hughes walked through the door of the doctors office where she worked and he discovered her. Her family was Irish Catholic and she was one of seven children. "William Powell, Myrna Loy Score on Capitol Screen". Hughes had cut some more salacious footage from the film, but the whole ordeal had scared off the films distributorand if it didnt get released, hed lose millions. Russell hid the invention and wore her own bra, adjusting the straps and padding it out with tissue to fool the notorious director. My mom never told me how her best friend died. Readers like you keep news free for everyone. At first, filming went off without a hitchthat is, until Howard Hughes stepped in, While making His Kind of Woman, Mitchum came up with a cheeky nickname for Russell, calling her Hard John for her rigid Christian beliefs. Russell attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and made her Broadway debut in 1930 in the Theatre Guild's Garrick Gaieties. The Irish Times reports that in 1951 Russell expressed her desire to adopt an Irish boy as a brother to her adopted daughter as she could not have children. It was directed by George Cukor for MGM. One critic wrote: "Rosalind Russell as the 'other woman' in the story gives an intelligent and deft handling to her scenes with Young. The actor Jane Russell, who has died aged 89, was among the most desired women of the 20th century. His reaction was devastating. Rosalind Russell starred in His Girl Friday, which showcases on Tuesday, November 15 on Film4 at 12.55pm. He joked, "Culture is the ability to describe Jane Russell without moving your hands.". The other original members were Connie Haines, Beryl Davis and Della Russell. He joked, "Culture is the ability to describe Jane Russell without moving your hands. Russell shot Montana Belle for Fidelity Pictures in 1948, playing Belle Starr. Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, It was hard for the flick to pass the censorship board. Madame de Pompadour was the alluring chief mistress of King Louis XV, but few people know her dark historyor the chilling secret shared by her and Louis. The British Government sought to compile data on the bombings of British towns and cities throughout the war, as they related to the approximately 63,000 civilians killed in air raids, and they did this in a variety of ways. Catherine Rosalind Russell. Instead of signing with another studio, Russell and her husband Bob Waterfield began Russ-Field Productions. Historys most fascinating stories and darkest secrets, delivered to your inbox daily. 135 Hipes Patrick July 20 2018 Julia Roberts And Sam Esmails Homecoming Gets from ENGLISH 101 at Northville High School, Northville It limits your characterizations, confines you to play feminine sops and menaces and the public never highly approves of either. [18] It was Russell's last big screen role. 13,14 One trial compared helmet noninvasive ventilation with high-flow nasal oxygen alone; the other, with mask noninvasive ventilation with lower PEEP than what was used in the control group in the current . That year, she got married to her high school sweetheart, Bob Waterfield, who was a quarterback for the UCLA Bruins at the time. For most of the next decade, she only occasionally appeared in films and mostly stuck to television and music, chalking it up to her advanced ageshe was in her mid-30s. In the film, a reworking of Ben Hecht's story The Front Page, Russell plays quick-witted ace reporter Hildy Johnson, who was also the ex-wife of her newspaper editor Walter Burns (Cary Grant). Russells career began in a way that seems like a classic old Hollywood clich. She received a Special Academy Award, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, in 1972, which came with an Oscar statuette.