ROSALIND RUSSELL BIOGRAPHY & FILMOGRAPHY:

Rosalind Russell was born in Waterbury, Connecticut on June 4th, 1907 to parents James Edward and Clara A Russell.  She was one of seven siblings and was brought up in an Irish-American Catholic family.  Rosalind was named after the ship the SS Rosalind at the suggestion of her father who worked as a successful lawyer. 
 
Russell attended Roman Catholic schools growing up and then went on to college at Mary mount in Tarrytown, New York.  She then decided to move to New York City and attend school at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.  Her parents thought her move to New York was to continue her education and become a school teacher, but her actual goal was to get a career as a stage comedian.
 
She began working as a fashion model and then against her parents wishes she was employed for seven months for a stock company at Saranac Lake and then also Hartford, Connecticut.  Russell then moved to Boston working at a theatre group for Edward C. Clive.    
 
In 1930, Russell moved to Los Angeles, California to work as a contracted actress for Universal Pictures.  She was highly disappointed with how they treated her and made her feel so unwelcome that instead of moving back to New York, she decided she would try to get in with MGM.  After a screen test with MGM, they signed her to a seven year contract and she was able to get out of her contract with Universal. 
 
Russell's debut film was in, "Evelyn Prentice" (1934) in which even though a very small part, viewers did take notice of her.  More roles followed in films such as, "Forsaking All Others" (1934), "Four's a Crowd" (1938), "Craig's Wife" (1936) and "The Citadel" (1938).  Russell was being highly desired and critics were really taking to her.  
 
When Russell received the role on, "The Women" (1939) a female comedy, her career received a major boost and the film was a hit.  She was finally able to establish herself to viewers as a comedic actress.  Her role on, "Girl Friday" (1940) gave her a chance once again to share her talent as a comedic actress. 
 
As Russell's career progressed into the 1940's she continued to get cast on a variety of films and most were comedies such as, "The Feminine Touch" (1941) and "Take a Letter, Darling" (1942).  Russell's films were not limited to comedies as she also enjoyed playing dramatic roles in films such as, "Sister Kenny" (1946) and "The velvet Touch" (1948). 
 
In 1953, Russell went to working on the stage with a role on Broadway's, "Wonderful Town", where she earned a Tony Award.  It is said her most memorable performance was in, "Auntie Mame", a long running stage performance which later became a movie version being her last cinematic triumph.
 
Rosalind Russell did not neglect her film career and in the 60's returned to film with a number of roles on, "Picnic" (1955), "A Majority of One" (1961), "Five Finger Exercise" (1962) and "Gypsy" (1962).    

Rosalind Russell was married once to an American producer, Frederick 'Freddie' Brisson from October 25th, 1941 and their marriage lasted 35 years. They had one son, Lance born in 1943.  After a long time battling breast cancer, Rosalind Russell passed away on November 28th, 1976 in Beverly Hills, California.  She was buried at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California and was survived by her husband and son. 

Russell was honored with a star on the Hollywood walk of Fame for her contribution to the Motion Picture Industry.  Throughout her career, Russell earned a total of four Academy Award nominations for Best Actress in, "My Sister Eileen" (1942), "Mourning Becomes Electra" (1947), "Sister Kenny" (1946) and "Auntie Mame" (1958).  She also recevied the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for contributions to charity in 1972. 

Rosalind Russell's career spanded from the 1930's through the 1970's and she was always known for portraying classy and glamorous roles. 
 
 
Filmography
 
1972   The Crooked Hearts
1971   Mrs. Pollifax-Spy 
1968   Where Angels Go Trouble Follows! 
1967   Rosie!
1967   Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mama's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feeling So Sad 
1966   The Trouble with Angels 
1962   Gypsy
1962   Five Finger Exercise 
1961   A Majority of One 
1959   Startime
1958   Auntie Mame 
1958   Wonderful Town
1958   Summer Theatre 
1956   G.E. True Theater 
1955   Picnic 
1955   The Girl Rush 
1955   The Loretta Young Show 
1953   Never Wave at a WAC  
1951   Schlitz Playhouse 
1950   A Woman of Distinction
1949   Tell It to the Judge  
1948   The Velvet Touch
1947   Mourning Becomes Electra 
1947   The Guilt of Janet Ames  
1946   Sister Kenny  
1945   She Wouldn't Say Yes  
1945   Roughly Speaking 
1943   What a Woman! 
1943   Flight for Freedom 
1942   My Sister Eileen
1942   Take a Letter, Darling 
1941   Design for Scandal
1941   The Feminine Touch 
1941   They Met in Bombay
1940   This Thing Called Love 
1940   No Time for Comedy 
1940   Hired Wife 
1940   His Girl Friday  
1939   The Women 
1939   Fast and Loose
1938   The Citadel
1938   Four's a Crowd 
1938   Man-Proof  
1937   Live, Love and Learn 
1937   Night Must Fall  
1936   Craig's Wife  
1936   Trouble for Two  
1936   Under Two Flags 
1936   It Had to Happen
1935   Rendezvous
1935   China Seas
1935   Reckless
1935   West Point of the Air
1935   The Casino Murder Case
1935   The Night Is Young
1934   Forsaking All Others 
1934   The President Vanishes
1934   Evelyn Prentice