Russell, Jane (1921–)

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Russell, Jane (1921–)

American actress. Born Ernestine Jane Geraldine Russell, June 21, 1921, in Bemidji, Minnesota; dau. of an actress; studied acting at Max Reinhardt's Theatrical Workshop and with Maria Ouspenskaya; m. Bob Waterfield (football player and coach), 1943 (div. 1968); m. Roger Barrett (actor), 1968 (died months later); m. John Calvin Peoples (real-estate agent), 1974 (died 1999); children: (1st m.) adopted 3.

Tall, voluptuous brunette, spent most of acting career attempting to overcome her initial image as a sex symbol; made film debut in Howard Hughes' The Outlaw (1943), causing a furor with her sultry pose in a haystack; had best film role opposite Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953); replaced Elaine Stritch in Broadway musical Company (1971); other films include The Paleface (1948), The Las Vegas Story (1952), Montana Belle (1952), Son of Paleface (1952), The French Line (1954), Foxfire (1955), Gentlemen Marry Brunettes (1955), The Revolt of Mamie Stover (1956), Fate Is the Hunter (1964), Johnny Reno (1966) and Darker Than Amber (1971).

See also autobiography, My Path and Detours (1985); and Women in World History.

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