“Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” Actress Jane Russell Dies

Glam Flags are flying at half-staff this morning as Cinema Aficionados process the news that raven-haired siren Jane Russell, an actress and former pinup girl, died of respiratory failure at her home in Santa Maria, California on Monday.

She was 89.

Born Ernestine Jane Geraldine Russell in Minnesota she’s best remembered for her screen credits in films like The Pale Face, Gentlemen Marry Brunettes, The Revolt of Mamie Stover, Young Widow, His Kind of Woman, The Las Vegas Story, The French Line, The Fuzzy Pink Night Gown, Fate Is the Hunter, Born Losers, and Darker Than Amber. She was discovered by the wealthy industrialist Howard Hughes who in 1940 cast her in the film The Outlaw. The promotional photos for the picture (Shown Above…) were so racy that censors delayed the film’s release until 1943. Her best known role, however, came 10 years later when she starred alongside another Hollywood legend, Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Russell also starred in films alongside Clark Cable, Frank Sinatra, and Bob Hope.

Russell saw a career resurgence in the 1970s when she landed the gig of spokesmodel for Playtex bras. At 60, her famous figure was used to promote bras for “full figured” women in Playtex’s “Cross Your Heart” promo campaign.

She continued to perform and carry out work for charities until her health began to decline a few weeks ago.

Her son, Buck Waterfield, tells The Los Angeles Times that his mom passed away surrounded by family.