Advanced search
- TITLES
- NAMES
- COLLABORATIONS
Search filters
Enter full date
to
or just enter yyyy, or yyyy-mm below
to
Only includes names with the selected topics
to
or just enter yyyy, or yyyy-mm below
to
1-11 of 11
- Actress
- Producer
- Soundtrack
Ernestine Jane Geraldine Russell was born on June 21, 1921, in Bemidji, Minnesota.
Her father was a United States Army lieutenant and her mother had been a student of drama and an actress with a traveling troupe.
Once Mr. Russell was mustered out of the service, the family took up residence in Canada but moved to California when he found employment there.
The family was well-to-do and although Jane was the only girl among four brothers, her mother saw to it that she took piano lessons. In addition to music, Jane was interested in drama much as her mother had been and participated in high school stage productions.
Upon graduation, Jane took a job as a receptionist for a doctor who specialized in foot disorders. Although she had originally planned on being a designer, her father died, and she had to go to work to help the family.
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. She was signed by Howard Hughes for his production of The Outlaw (1943) in 1941, the film that was to make Jane famous. The film was not a classic by any means but was geared through its marketing to show off Jane's ample physical assets rather than acting abilities. 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. It was hard for the flick to pass the censorship board. Finally, the film gained general release in 1946. The film was a smash at the box office.
Jane did not make another film until 1945 when she played Joan Kenwood in Young Widow (1946). She had signed a seven-year contract with Hughes, and it seemed the only films he would put her in were those that displayed Jane in a very flattering light due to her body. Films such as His Kind of Woman (1951) and The Las Vegas Story (1952) did nothing to highlight her true acting abilities. The pinnacle of her career was in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) as Dorothy Shaw, with Marilyn Monroe. This film showed Jane's comedic side very well. Jane did continue to make films throughout the 1950s, but the films were at times not up to par, particularly with Jane's talents being wasted in forgettable movies to show off her sexy side. Films such as Gentlemen Marry Brunettes (1955) and The Revolt of Mamie Stover (1956) did do Jane's justice and were able to show exactly the fine actress she was.
After The Fuzzy Pink Nightgown (1957) (a flop), Jane took a hiatus from films, to dabble a little in television, returning in 1964 to film Fate Is the Hunter (1964). Unfortunately, the roles were not there anymore as Jane appeared in only four pictures during the entire decade of the 1960s. Her last film of the decade was The Born Losers (1967). After three more years away from the big screen, she returned to make one last film called Darker Than Amber (1970).
Her last major appearance before the public was in the 1970s when Jane was a spokesperson for Playtex bras.
Had Jane not been wasted during the Hughes years, she could have been a bigger actress than what she was allowed to show.
Jane Russell died at age 89 of respiratory failure on February 28, 2011, in Santa Maria, California.- Actor
- Stunts
Terry Frost was born on 26 October 1906 in Bemidji, Minnesota, USA. He was an actor, known for Mysterious Island (1951), Dead Man's Gold (1948) and Apache Rose (1947). He was married to Marion Carney and Marguerite Beday. He died on 1 March 1993 in Los Angeles, California, USA.- Drew Starlin was born on 15 October 1974 in Bemidji, Minnesota, USA. He is an actor, known for Sanitatum (2018), Monk (2002) and Numb3rs (2005). He has been married to Michelle Fernandez Starlin since 8 June 2003. They have two children.
- Dave Casper was born on 26 September 1951 in Bemidji, Minnesota, USA. He has been married to Susan Anderson since 25 May 1974. They have two children.
- Pat Fuleihan was born on 28 March 1929 in Bemidji, Minnesota, USA. She was an actress, known for D.A.R.Y.L. (1985), In the Heat of the Night (1988) and Johnny Bull (1986). She died on 21 March 2002 in Carolina Village, North Carolina, USA.
- Producer
- Additional Crew
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Harlan Hegna was born on 10 March 1985 in Bemidji, Minnesota, USA. He is a producer and assistant director, known for Rock the Park (2014), Seasons (2010) and Inside Looking Out (2009). He has been married to Christina Hegna since 11 August 2007.- Actor
- Costume and Wardrobe Department
Cade Bittner was born on 23 June 1979 in Bemidji, Minnesota, USA. He is an actor, known for Placebo (2005) and There & Back: Ashley Parker Angel (2006).- Kenneth Haycraft was born on 16 February 1907 in Bemidji, Minnesota, USA. He was an actor, known for Maybe It's Love (1930). He was married to Marion Miller and Alberta Smith. He died on 29 June 1995 in Kaneohe, Hawaii, USA.
- Gigi Marvin was born on 7 March 1987 in Bemidji, Minnesota, USA.
- Additional Crew
Fred Ettish was born in 1956 in Bemidji, Minnesota, USA. He is known for Everyday Martial Artist (2021) and UFC 2: No Way Out (1994).- Soundtrack
Gary Burger was born on 3 August 1943 in Bemidji, Minnesota, USA. He died on 14 March 2014 in Turtle River, Bemidji, Minnesota, USA.