Personal info
Known for
Actor
Gender
Female
Date of Birth
1957-03-20
Location
California, United States
Edit pageTheresa Russell
Biography
Theresa Russell, named one of the "100 sexiest stars in film history" (Empire Magazine), was born in San Diego, California. She was discovered by a photographer at the age of 12, and made her film debut in Elia Kazan's The Last Tycoon (1976), opposite Robert De Niro, Jack Nicholson, and Robert Mitchum, at the age of 19.
Her resume of nearly fifty films has centered on ground-breaking roles in acclaimed independent films, such as Bad Timing: A Sensual Obsession (1980), directed by Nicolas Roeg (whom she would later marry); Eureka (1983); Insignificance (1985); Aria (1987) and Ken Russell's Whore (1991).
Her legendary star turn in the thriller, Black Widow (1987), co-starring Debra Winger, stands as one of the most iconic female crime dramas in cinema history.
She has had roles in major film and television projects, including the feature films, Straight Time (1978), opposite Dustin Hoffman and Kathy Bates; The Razor's Edge (1984), opposite Bill Murray; Physical Evidence (1989) with Burt Reynolds; Kafka (1991), directed by Steven Soderbergh, playing opposite Jeremy Irons; Impulse (1990), directed by Sondra Locke; The Believer (2001), opposite Ryan Gosling; Luckytown (2000), with Kirsten Dunst and James Caan; Being Human (1994), opposite Robin Williams; Wild Things (1998), with Denise Richards, Matt Dillon and Kevin Bacon; Jolene (2008), opposite Jessica Chastain; the blockbuster Spider-Man 3 (2007), and the mini-series Blind Ambition (1979), with Martin Sheen; Empire Falls (2005), with Ed Harris, Paul Newman and Helen Hunt; and Lifetime's Liz & Dick (2012), opposite Lindsay Lohan, portraying Elizabeth Taylor's mother.
Along with her then-partner, legendary jazz musician, Michael Melvoin, she has performed in jazz clubs throughout the United States. She is the mother of two sons (Statten Roeg and Maximillian Roeg).
According to the liner notes to Pete Townshend's album "Scoop 3," she was the inspiration for The Who song "Athena" (originally titled "Teresa").
Began modelling at age 12.
Studied acting at the Lee Strasberg Institute in Hollywood.
Has appeared in numerous films directed by Nicolas Roeg, including Bad Timing: A Sensual Obsession (1980), Eureka (1983), Insignificance (1985), Track 29 (1988), and Cold Heaven (1991).
Was friends with guitarist Randy Rhoads when they were in the eighth grade.
Source: March 2006 Guitar World interview with Randy Rhoads' best friend Kelly Garni.
