Jane Russell
Hollywood sex symbol who founded the first international adoption program.
Ernestine Jane Geraldine Russell, born June 21, 1921, in Bemidji, Minnesota, died February 28, 2011. She worked as an actress, model, and singer, and was a major Hollywood sex symbol during the 1940s and 1950s, appearing in over 20 films. Her appeal came from her looks, figure, and a screen presence that balanced charisma with a serious demeanor. She left the Midwest for California, landing her first movie role in Howard Hughes’ *The Outlaw* (1943).
Russell had three brothers: Thomas, Kenneth, and James (sometimes called Jamie). Her father was a former U.S. Army first lieutenant, and her mother had been an actress in a road troupe. Her parents lived in Edmonton, Alberta, until just before her birth, returning there nine days later and staying for a year or two. The family then moved to Southern California, where her father worked as an office manager. Her mother arranged piano lessons, and Russell took an interest in drama, performing in Van Nuys High School stage productions. She initially wanted to be a designer, but after her father died in 1940 at age 56, she became a receptionist after high school. She also modeled for photographers and, encouraged by her mother, studied drama with actress Maria Ouspenskaya.
In 1940, Howard Hughes signed Russell to a seven-year contract, and she made her film debut in *The Outlaw* (1943), a Billy the Kid story that emphasized her figure. The film was finished in 1941 but only had a limited release in 1943; censorship issues arose over how her cleavage was promoted. It got general release in 1946. During the delay, Russell did publicity and became nationally known. Despite many media reports, she did not wear the underwire bra Hughes designed for the film. In her 1985 autobiography, she said the bra was so uncomfortable she secretly used her own bra, padding the cups with tissue and pulling up the straps to lift her breasts. Her measurements were 38-24-36, and she stood 5 feet 7 inches, making her more statuesque than many peers.
- Born
- June 21, 1921, Bemidji, Minnesota
- Died
- February 28, 2011
- Field
- Actress, model, singer
- Nationality
- American
- Known for
- Leading sex symbol of the 1940s–1950s; star of The Outlaw, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes; founder of Waif adoption program
Lore & Background
Russell was born in Bemidji, Minnesota, and lived in Edmonton, Alberta, for her first year or two before her family moved to Southern California. Her mother, a former actress, arranged piano lessons and encouraged her drama studies. After her father's death in 1940 at age 56, Russell worked as a receptionist and modeled for photographers, later studying with actress Maria Ouspenskaya.
In 1940, Howard Hughes signed her to a seven-year contract. Her debut in The Outlaw (1943) was delayed by censorship over her cleavage in promotional material. Contrary to media reports, Russell did not wear Hughes' specially designed underwire bra; she secretly discarded it and wore her own bra padded with tissue.
Reader's Guide
Jane Russell's significance lies in her dual legacy as a Hollywood sex symbol and a humanitarian. Her role in The Outlaw, promoted by Howard Hughes for its provocative display of her figure, made her a national pin-up icon during World War II, yet she later criticized vulgarity in pin-up art. Her performance in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes alongside Marilyn Monroe cemented her place in film history. Beyond acting, she founded Waif in 1955, the first international adoption program, reflecting a personal commitment to family and social impact. Her hand and footprints were immortalized at Grauman's Chinese Theatre alongside Monroe's, and she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Russell's career spanned multiple genres—film noir, musicals, and comedies—and she navigated the constraints of the Production Code era with a blend of charisma and seriousness. Her autobiography clarified myths about her famous bra, and her later musical work, though self-criticized, showed her versatility. She remains a figure of enduring fascination for her blend of glamour, independence, and philanthropy.
Did You Know?
- Her hand and footprints were immortalized in the forecourt of Grauman's Chinese Theatre along with Marilyn Monroe's.
- She described her 1947 Columbia album as 'horrible and boring to listen to' in a 2009 interview.
More in Golden Age Hollywood 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced