Full-figured '40s, '50s star Jane Russell dies, 89

Jane Russell, the brunette who was discovered by Howard Hughes and went on to become one of the biggest stars of the 1940s and '50s, has died at 89.

Russell's daughter-in-law Etta Waterfield says the actress died Monday at her Santa Maria, California home of a respiratory-related illness.

Hughes, the eccentric billionaire, cast Russell in his sexy, and controversial, 1941 Western The Outlaw, turning her into an overnight star. The movie was Hughes' challenge to the Hollywood production code.

She would go on to appear opposite such leading men as Frank Sinatra and Bob Hope (playing Calamity Jane in 1948's The Paleface), as well as fellow actress Marilyn Monroe (in the 1953 musical Gentlemen Prefer Blondes).

"Russell's provocative performance in The Outlaw -- and the studio publicity shots posing her in a low-cut blouse reclined on a stack of hay bales -- marked a turning point in moviedom sexuality. She became a bona fide star and a favorite pinup girl of soldiers during World War II. Troops in Korea named two embattled hills in her honor," former Los Angeles Times staff writer Claudia Luther said.

"Meanwhile, Hughes brilliantly publicized the film, issuing Russell-in-the-haystack posters with such lines as 'How Would You Like to Tussle With Russell?' and 'Mean! Moody! Magnificent!' In one publicity stunt, a skywriter wrote 'The Outlaw' in the sky and then carefully drew two circles with a dot in the center of each."

Although her film career slowed in the 1960s, Russell remained active throughout her life. She was a pitchwoman for Playtex bras, for "full-figured women."

Until her health began to decline a few weeks ago, Waterfield said she remained active singing and working for various causes.

Services are set for 11 a.m. March 12 at Pacific Christian Church, 3435 Santa Maria Way, Santa Maria.

Instead of flowers, her family suggests donations in her name to Care Net Pregnancy & Resource Center, 121 West Battles, Santa Maria, CA 93458; or CASA of Santa Barbara County, 120 East Jones Street, Suite 130, Santa Maria, CA 93454.





(Associated Press, Los Angeles Times)