Betsy Russell(bornElizabeth Russell;September 6, 1963) is an American actress who is best known for her roles inPrivate School(1983),Tomboy(1985), and asJill Tuck,one of the primary characters of theSawfilm seriesfrom 2006 to 2010.
Betsy Russell | |
|---|---|
 Russell in 2007 | |
| Born | Elizabeth Russell September 6, 1963 San Diego,California, U.S. |
| Education | Mission Bay High School |
| Alma mater | University of Santa Monica |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1982–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Parent | Richard Russell(father) |
| Relatives | Max Lerner(maternal grandfather) |
| Website | imbetsyrussell |
| Signature | |
 | |
Early life
editRussell was born inSan Diego, California,on September 6, 1963,[1][2]the daughter of Constance (néeLerner) andRichard Lion Russell,a stock analyst. Russell was the granddaughter of journalist and educatorMax Lerner.[3]Her father and maternal grandfather wereJewish.[2]Russell attendedMission Bay High Schooland graduated in 1981.[4]While in high school, she appeared in aPepsicommercial that was taped locally.[5]
Career
edit
Russell's first role was in the 1982 filmLet's Do It!.[6]That same year, she landed roles onT. J. Hooker,Family Ties,andThe Powers of Matthew Star.In 1983, Russell's breakout role came as Jordan Leigh-Jensen in thesex comedyPrivate School.While shooting the action filmAvenging Angel,she was offered to audition for the 1985 filmSilveradobut turned it down. She said in an interview, "Everything happens for a reason. I always believe my career would have been different had I done that part. I can't say if it would have been better or worse. I've had a great run."[3]
Russell went on to star in a series of B movies in the 1980s, including the comedyTomboyand the slasher filmCheerleader Camp.Russell also appeared on TV series such asThe A-Team,Murder, She Wrote,1st & Ten,and an episode ofSuperboy,which was a reunion with herTomboyco-starGerard Christopher.After 15 years of retirement from acting to focus on family,[7]Russell appeared in a small role inSaw IIIplayingJohn Kramer'sex-wife,Jill Tuck.
She went on to star in the sequels,Saw IV,Saw V,Saw VI,andSaw 3D.[8]She played a role in the 2010 filmChain Letter,theSyFyfilmMandrake,andMy Trip Back to the Dark Side.[9][10]
Personal life
editIn August 1988, Russell became engaged to actorVincent Van Pattenand they married nine months later, on May 27, 1989, inNorth Hollywood.The wedding reception was at Van Patten's father'sSherman Oakshome.[11]They have two sons and divorced in 2001.[12][13]Russell was previously engaged to film producerMark Burg.[14]As of 2010[update],Russell resided inMalibu, California.She has completed a masters program in Spiritual Psychology at the University of Santa Monica and is a certified hypnotist and life coach.[13][7]
Credits
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Let's Do It! | Kittie | |
| 1983 | Private School | Jordan | |
| 1985 | Avenging Angel | Molly "Angel" Stewart | |
| Tomboy | Tomasina 'Tommy' Boyd | ||
| Out of Control | Chrissie Baret | ||
| 1988 | Cheerleader Camp | Alison Wentworth | |
| 1989 | Trapper County War | Lacey Luddigger | |
| 1991 | Camp Fear | Jamie | |
| 1992 | Delta Heat | Vicky Forbes | |
| 1993 | Amore! | Cheryl Schwartz | |
| 1995 | The Break | Candy | |
| 2000 | The Flunky | Candy | |
| 2006 | Saw III | Jill Tuck | Cameo |
| 2007 | Saw IV | ||
| 2008 | Saw V | ||
| 2009 | Saw VI | ||
| 2010 | Chain Letter | Sergeant Hamill | |
| Saw 3D | Jill Tuck | ||
| 2012 | Lose Yourself | Destiny | Direct-to-video |
| 2014 | My Trip Back to the Dark Side | Destiny | |
| Knock 'em Dead | Louanne the Maid / Laurie Grant | ||
| 2022 | Bully High | Beth White | Also co-producer[15] |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | The Powers of Matthew Star | Dawn | Episode: "Jackal" |
| 1982 | T. J. Hooker | Teenager | Episode: "Second Chance" |
| 1982 | Family Ties | Girl | Episode: "Not with My Sister You Don't" |
| 1984-1986 | The A-Team | Tina Adrian Prescott |
|
| 1986 | Murder, She Wrote | Doris Robinson | Episode: "Menace, Anyone?" |
| 1986–1987 | 1st & Ten | Christy |
|
| 1989 | Roxanne: The Prize Pulitzer | Liza Pulitzer | Television film |
| 1989 | Superboy | Serene | Episode: "Superboy... Rest in Peace" |
| 1995 | Platypus Man | Becky | Episode "The Crush" |
| 2010 | Mandrake | Felicia | Television film |
| 2013 | First Class Fear | Gayle | Television film |
| 2017 | Born and Missing | Dr. Taylor | Television film |
| 2018 | Robot Chicken | Lori / Teenage Girl (voice) | Episode: "Your Mouth Is Hanging off Your Face" |
References
edit- ^Rose, Mike (September 6, 2022)."Today's famous birthdays list for September 6, 2022 includes celebrities Idris Elba, Macy Gray".Cleveland.com.RetrievedFebruary 22,2023.
- ^ab"Marriage In April For Miss. C. Lerner; Columnist's Daughter Engaged to Richard Russell, Former Air Force Bombardier".The New York Times.February 15, 1953.RetrievedOctober 30,2010.
- ^abMcDonald, Patrick (October 27, 2010)."Interview: Betsy Russell Completes the Jigsaw Puzzle inSaw 3D".HW Chicago.Archived from the original on February 23, 2023.RetrievedDecember 23,2010.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^"MBHS Taroga 1981".Mission Bay Senior High School.1981. p. 198.Archivedfrom the original on February 23, 2023.RetrievedFebruary 23,2023.
- ^"Betsy Russell".Haute Living.July 28, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 23,2023.
- ^"Let's Do It".Rotten Tomatoes.RetrievedFebruary 23,2023.
- ^abAushenker, Michael (October 13, 2010)."Malibu's queen of Halloween".The Malibu Times.Archived fromthe originalon January 25, 2018.RetrievedDecember 23,2010.
- ^Topel, Fred (October 26, 2007)."Betsy Russell onSaw IV".CraveOnline.Archived fromthe originalon March 10, 2008.RetrievedMay 31,2008.
- ^Miska, Brad (November 8, 2009)."AFM '09: New Films Acquires 'Chain Letter', New Trailer".Bloody Disgusting.The Collective.RetrievedDecember 23,2010.
- ^Seidman, Robert (August 30, 2010)."Syfy Original Movie 'Mandrake' Premieres Saturday, September 11 at 9pm".TV by the Numbers.Archived fromthe originalon July 11, 2011.RetrievedDecember 23,2010.
- ^Swertlow, Frank (June 2, 1989). "Hollywood Freeway - Tears and Cheers for 'Phantom'".Los Angeles Daily News.
- ^Noor, Star (November 2010)."Betsy Russell on MF Magazine".Music Fashion Magazine.Archived fromthe originalon July 11, 2012.RetrievedDecember 22,2010.
- ^abBryant, Jessica (August 26, 2010)."Haute Secrets Los Angeles: Betsy Russell".Haute Living Magazine.Archivedfrom the original on February 23, 2023.RetrievedDecember 22,2010.
- ^Bowles, Duncan (November 9, 2009)."Interview with Saw actress Betsy Russell".Den of Geek.Archivedfrom the original on February 23, 2023.RetrievedDecember 22,2010.
- ^Hixon, Michael (June 3, 2019)."Independent film 'Bully High' tackles issues making headlines while filming in Hermosa Beach".Daily Breeze.RetrievedDecember 22,2022.
