A promotional poster for her 1941 film, The Outlaw, was so popular that Jane Russell was voted as America’s favorite actress before the movie had actually been released.  Howard Hughes, who discovered Russell in 1940, was so inspired by her voluptuous figure that he designed the world’s first underwire bra specifically to get Russell’s full figure properly displayed on film (though Russell said she never wore the uncomfortable contraption).  Screen legend Jane Russell has passed away at age 89 from respiratory failure at her home in Santa Maria, California.

In contrast to her on-screen image, the real-life Jane Russell had very little in common with the sex sirens she played on screen.  She was married to football star Bob Waterfield for 25 years, adopting three children, then married twice more as she battled alcoholism later in life.  At the height of her fame, she hosted the Hollywood Christian Group, a weekly gathering for Bible reading and Christian discussion at her Hollywood home, and was one of the few open Republicans in Hollywood.  Russell was a tireless proponent of adoption, setting up one of the first organizations dedicated to international adoptions due to her inability to have children of her own.

Jane Russell, in addition to her successful recording career and starring roles in musicals like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (with fellow screen legend Marilyn Monroe), also played the bagpipes.   Let’s see the lady off with one of the best songs/dances from that particular movie, shall we?

Tags: Jane Russell, The Outlaw, Howard Hughes, Jane Russell passes away at 89, Jane Russell dead at 89, respiratory failure, Jane Russell passes away, Jane Russell respiratory failure, Jane Russell dead, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Hollywood, California, Santa Maria

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