Betsy Russell | |
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.jpg) Russell in 2007 | |
| Born | Elizabeth Russell (1963-09-06)September 6, 1963 (age 62) 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 |
| Father | Richard Russell |
| Relatives | Max Lerner (maternal grandfather) |
| Website | imbetsyrussell |
| Signature | |
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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 theSaw film series from 2006 to 2010.
Russell was born inSan Diego, California, on September 6, 1963,[1][2] the daughter of Constance (née Lerner) and Richard 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 School and graduated in 1981.[4] While in high school, she appeared in aPepsi commercial that was taped locally.[5]
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 filmSilverado but 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 comedyTomboy and 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 herTomboy co-starGerard Christopher. After 15 years of retirement from acting to focus on family,[7] Russell appeared in a small role inSaw III playingJohn Kramer's ex-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, theSyFy filmMandrake, andMy Trip Back to the Dark Side.[9][10]
In August 1988, Russell became engaged to actorVincent Van Patten and they married nine months later, on May 27, 1989, inNorth Hollywood. The wedding reception was at Van Patten's father'sSherman Oaks home.[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]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Let's Do It! | Kittie | |
| 1983 | Private School | Jordan Leigh-Jensen | |
| 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] |
| 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 |
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| 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" |
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)| International | |
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