Jane Russell

Jane Russell (born June 21, 1921) is an American actress.

Related Topics:
June 21 - 1921 - American - Actress

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She was born Ernestine Jane Geraldine Russell in Bemidji, Minnesota, the only daughter of Roy William Russell (January 5, 1890-July 18, 1937) and Geraldine Jacobi (January 2, 1891-December 26, 1986). Her four younger brothers are Thomas Ferris Russell (born April 16, 1924), Kenneth Steven Russell (born September 2, 1925), James Hyatt Russell (born February 9, 1927) and Wallace Jay Russell (born January 31, 1929).

Related Topics:
Bemidji, Minnesota - January 5 - 1890 - July 18 - 1937 - January 2 - 1891 - December 26 - 1986 - April 16 - 1924 - September 2 - 1925 - February 9 - 1927 - January 31 - 1929

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Her parents were both born in North Dakota. Three of her grandparents were born in Canada, while her paternal grandmother was born in Germany. Her parents married in 1917. Her father was a former commissioned First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and her mother was a former actress with a road troupe. When Jane was a child they moved temporarily to Canada, then moved to the San Fernando Valley of Southern California. They lived in Burbank in 1930 and her father worked as an office manager at a soap manufacturing plant.

Related Topics:
North Dakota - Canada - Germany - 1917 - First Lieutenant - U.S. Army - San Fernando Valley - Southern California - Burbank - 1930

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Jane's mother arranged for her to take piano lessons. In addition to music, she was interested in drama and participated in stage productions at Van Nuys High School. Her early ambition was to be a designer of some kind. But her father died when he was forty-six and after graduation, she went to work as a receptionist. She also modeled for photographers and, at the urging of her mother, studied drama and acting with Max Reinhardt's Theatrical Workshop and with famed Russian actress Maria Ouspenskaya.

Related Topics:
Piano - Drama - Van Nuys High School - Receptionist - Modeled - Max Reinhardt's - Russia - Maria Ouspenskaya

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