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{{Short description|American actress (born 1963)}}

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{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
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{{Short description|American actress (1963–)}}
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{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Betsy Russell
| name = Betsy Russell
| image = Russell, Betsy (2007).jpg
| image = Russell, Betsy (2007).jpg
| imagesize =
| imagesize =
| caption = Russell in October 2007
| caption = Russell in 2007
| birth_name = Elizabeth Russell
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1963|9|6|mf=yes}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1963|9|6|mf=yes}}
| birth_place = [[San Diego]], [[California]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[San Diego]], California, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_place =
| othername =
| othername =
| education = [[University of Santa Monica]]
| alma_mater = University of Santa Monica
| known_for = {{ubl|''[[Private School (film)|Private School]]''|[[Saw (franchise)|''Saw'' franchise]]''}}
| education = [[Mission Bay High School]]
| occupation = {{hlist|Actress|producer}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Actress|producer}}
| yearsactive = 1982–present
| yearsactive = 1982–present
Line 19: Line 19:
| children = 2
| children = 2
| website = {{URL|http://imbetsyrussell.com}}
| website = {{URL|http://imbetsyrussell.com}}
| parents = [[Richard Russell (Dow Theory)|Richard Russell]]
| parents = [[Richard Russell (Dow Theory)|Richard Russell]] (father)
| relatives = [[Max Lerner]] (maternal grandfather)
| relatives = [[Max Lerner]] (maternal grandfather)
| signature = Betsy Russell Signature.png
| signature = Betsy Russell Signature.png
}}
}}


'''Betsy Russell''' (born September 6, 1963) is an American actress who is best known for her roles in ''[[Private School (film)|Private School]]'' (1983), ''[[Tomboy (1985 film)|Tomboy]]'' (1985), and as [[List of Saw characters#Jill Tuck|Jill Tuck]], one of the primary characters of the [[Saw (franchise)|''Saw'' film series]] from 2006 to 2010.
'''Betsy Russell''' (born '''Elizabeth Russell'''; September 6, 1963) is an American actress who is best known for her roles in ''[[Private School (film)|Private School]]'' (1983), ''[[Tomboy (1985 film)|Tomboy]]'' (1985), and as [[List of Saw characters#Jill Tuck|Jill Tuck]], one of the primary characters of the [[Saw (franchise)|''Saw'' film series]] from 2006 to 2010.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Russell was born in [[San Diego, California]] on September 6, 1963,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rose |first=Mike |date=September 6, 2022|title=Today's famous birthdays list for September 6, 2022 includes celebrities Idris Elba, Macy Gray|url=https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2022/09/todays-famous-birthdays-list-for-september-6-2022-includes-celebrities-idris-elba-macy-gray.html |access-date=February 22, 2023 |website=[[Cleveland.com]]}}</ref><ref name=skw/> the daughter of Constance (''née'' Lerner) and [[Richard Russell (Dow Theory)|Richard Lion Russell]], a stock analyst, and the granddaughter of journalist and educator [[Max Lerner]].<ref name="HollywoodChicago">{{cite web|url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/6s44n |title=Interview: Betsy Russell Completes the Jigsaw Puzzle in ''Saw 3D'' |last=McDonald |first=Patrick |website=HW Chicago|date=October 27, 2010 |accessdate=December 23, 2010}}</ref> Her father and maternal grandfather were [[Jews|Jewish]].<ref name=skw>{{Cite news|title=Marriage In April For Miss. C. Lerner; Columnist's Daughter Engaged to Richard Russell, Former Air Force Bombardier|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=February 15, 1953|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1953/02/15/archives/marriage-in-april-for-miss-c-lerner-columnists-daughter-engaged-to.html|accessdate=October 30, 2010}}</ref> Russell wanted to be an actress since the age of eight and started acting in school plays.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.411mania.com/movies/columns/88534|title=411 Movies Interview: Betsy Russell of Saw V|last=Farinella|first=Tony|publisher=411Mania.com|date=October 24, 2008|accessdate=December 23, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006005422/http://www.411mania.com/movies/columns/88534|archive-date=October 6, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> She appeared in a [[Pepsi]] commercial that was taped locally while in high school.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-07-28 |title=Betsy Russell |url=https://hauteliving.com/2012/07/betsy-russell/298098/ |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=[[Haute Living]]}}</ref> She graduated from [[Mission Bay Senior High School|Mission Bay High School]] in 1981.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1981|title=MBHS Taroga 1981 |url=http://missionbayhighalumni.com/Taroga1981.html#prettyPhoto%5Bgallery%5D/194/ |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=[[Mission Bay Senior High School]]|page=198|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/o2hGP|archive-date=February 22, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> She did a masters program in Spiritual Psychology at the [[University of Santa Monica]] and is a certified hypnotist and life coach, also from the University of Santa Monica.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.malibutimes.com/articles/2010/10/13/malibu_life/art2.txt|title=Malibu's queen of Halloween|last=Aushenker|first=Michael|website=[[The Malibu Times]]|date=October 13, 2010|accessdate=December 23, 2010|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20180125155213/http://www.malibutimes.com/malibu_life/article_6a6ddfdd-7908-5cc3-8d46-393a66922bc3.html|archive-date=January 25, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Russell was born in [[San Diego, California]], on September 6, 1963,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rose |first=Mike |date=September 6, 2022|title=Today's famous birthdays list for September 6, 2022 includes celebrities Idris Elba, Macy Gray|url=https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2022/09/todays-famous-birthdays-list-for-september-6-2022-includes-celebrities-idris-elba-macy-gray.html |access-date=February 22, 2023 |website=[[Cleveland.com]]}}</ref><ref name=skw/> the daughter of Constance (''née'' Lerner) and [[Richard Russell (Dow Theory)|Richard Lion Russell]], a stock analyst. Russell was the granddaughter of journalist and educator [[Max Lerner]].<ref name="HollywoodChicago">{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/12321/interview-betsy-russell-completes-the-jigsaw-puzzle-in-saw-3d |title=Interview: Betsy Russell Completes the Jigsaw Puzzle in ''Saw 3D'' |last=McDonald |first=Patrick |website=HW Chicago |date=October 27, 2010 |accessdate=December 23, 2010 |archive-date=February 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20230223020212/https://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/12321/interview-betsy-russell-completes-the-jigsaw-puzzle-in-saw-3d |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> Her father and maternal grandfather were [[Jews|Jewish]].<ref name=skw>{{Cite news|title=Marriage In April For Miss. C. Lerner; Columnist's Daughter Engaged to Richard Russell, Former Air Force Bombardier|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=February 15, 1953|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1953/02/15/archives/marriage-in-april-for-miss-c-lerner-columnists-daughter-engaged-to.html|accessdate=October 30, 2010}}</ref> Russell attended [[Mission Bay Senior High School|Mission Bay High School]] and graduated in 1981.<ref>{{Cite web|date=1981|title=MBHS Taroga 1981|url=http://missionbayhighalumni.com/Taroga1981.html#prettyPhoto%5Bgallery%5D/194/|access-date=2023-02-23|website=[[Mission Bay Senior High School]]|page=198|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20230223010204/http://missionbayhighalumni.com/Taroga1981.html#prettyPhoto&#91;gallery&#93;/194/|archive-date=February 23, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> While in high school, she appeared in a [[Pepsi]] commercial that was taped locally.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-07-28 |title=Betsy Russell |url=https://hauteliving.com/2012/07/betsy-russell/298098/ |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=[[Haute Living]]}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
[[File:Betsy Russell Saw 3D premiere.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Russell at the [[Grauman's Chinese Theatre]] in 2010]]
Russell's first role was in the 1982 film ''Let's Do It!''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=''Let's Do It'' |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lets_do_it |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=2023-02-23}}</ref> That same year, she landed roles on ''[[T. J. Hooker]]'', ''[[Family Ties]]'', and ''[[The Powers of Matthew Star]]''. In 1983, Russell's breakout role came as Jordan Leigh-Jensen in the [[sex comedy]] ''[[Private School (film)|Private School]]''. While shooting the action film ''[[Avenging Angel (1985 film)|Avenging Angel]]'', she was offered to audition for the 1985 film ''[[Silverado (film)|Silverado]]'' 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."<ref name="HollywoodChicago"/> She went on to star in a series of B movies in the 1980s, including the comedy ''[[Tomboy (1985 film)|Tomboy]]'' and the slasher film ''[[Cheerleader Camp]]''. Russell also appeared on TV series such as ''[[The A-Team]]'', ''[[Murder, She Wrote]]'', ''[[1st & Ten (1984 TV series)|1st & Ten]]'', and an episode of ''[[Superboy (TV series)|Superboy]]'', which was a reunion with her ''Tomboy'' co-star [[Gerard Christopher]].
Russell's first role was in the 1982 film ''Let's Do It!''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=''Let's Do It'' |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lets_do_it |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=2023-02-23}}</ref> That same year, she landed roles on ''[[T. J. Hooker]]'', ''[[Family Ties]]'', and ''[[The Powers of Matthew Star]]''. In 1983, Russell's breakout role came as Jordan Leigh-Jensen in the [[sex comedy]] ''[[Private School (film)|Private School]]''. While shooting the action film ''[[Avenging Angel (1985 film)|Avenging Angel]]'', she was offered to audition for the 1985 film ''[[Silverado (film)|Silverado]]'' 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."<ref name="HollywoodChicago"/>


Russell went on to star in a series of B movies in the 1980s, including the comedy ''[[Tomboy (1985 film)|Tomboy]]'' and the slasher film ''[[Cheerleader Camp]]''. Russell also appeared on TV series such as ''[[The A-Team]]'', ''[[Murder, She Wrote]]'', ''[[1st & Ten (1984 TV series)|1st & Ten]]'', and an episode of ''[[Superboy (TV series)|Superboy]]'', which was a reunion with her ''Tomboy'' co-star [[Gerard Christopher]]. After 15 years of retirement from acting to focus on family,<ref name="MalibuTimes"/> Russell appeared in a small role in ''[[Saw III]]'' playing [[Jigsaw (Saw character)|John Kramer's]] ex-wife, [[List of Saw characters#Jill Tuck|Jill Tuck]].
⚫
After a brief retirement from acting, Russell appeared in a small role in ''[[Saw III]]'' playing [[Jigsaw (Saw character)|John Kramer's]] ex-wife, [[List of Saw characters#Jill Tuck|Jill Tuck]]. She went on to star in the sequels, ''[[Saw IV]]'', ''[[Saw V]]'', ''[[Saw VI]]'', and ''[[Saw 3D]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.craveonline.com/articles/filmtv/04648943/betsy_russell_on_saw_iv.html|title=Betsy Russell on ''Saw IV''|last=Topel|first=Fred|date=October 26, 2007|website=[[CraveOnline]]|accessdate=May 31, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080310154018/http://www.craveonline.com/articles/filmtv/04648943/betsy_russell_on_saw_iv.html|archive-date=March 10, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> She played a role in the 2010 film ''[[Chain Letter (film)|Chain Letter]]'', the [[SyFy]] film ''Mandrake'', and ''[[My Trip Back to the Dark Side (film)|My Trip Back to the Dark Side]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/18033|title=AFM '09: New Films Acquires 'Chain Letter', New Trailer|last=Miska|first=Brad|work=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|publisher=The Collective|date=November 8, 2009|accessdate=December 23, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/08/30/syfy-original-movie-mandrake-premieres-saturday-september-11-at-9pm/61546|title=Syfy Original Movie 'Mandrake' Premieres Saturday, September 11 at 9pm|last=Seidman|first=Robert|website=[[TV by the Numbers]]|date=August 30, 2010|accessdate=December 23, 2010}}</ref>


⚫
She went on to star in the sequels, ''[[Saw IV]]'', ''[[Saw V]]'', ''[[Saw VI]]'', and ''[[Saw 3D]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.craveonline.com/articles/filmtv/04648943/betsy_russell_on_saw_iv.html|title=Betsy Russell on ''Saw IV''|last=Topel|first=Fred|date=October 26, 2007|website=[[CraveOnline]]|accessdate=May 31, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080310154018/http://www.craveonline.com/articles/filmtv/04648943/betsy_russell_on_saw_iv.html|archive-date=March 10, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> She played a role in the 2010 film ''[[Chain Letter (film)|Chain Letter]]'', the [[SyFy]] film ''Mandrake'', and ''[[My Trip Back to the Dark Side (film)|My Trip Back to the Dark Side]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/18033|title=AFM '09: New Films Acquires 'Chain Letter', New Trailer|last=Miska|first=Brad|work=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|publisher=The Collective|date=November 8, 2009|accessdate=December 23, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/08/30/syfy-original-movie-mandrake-premieres-saturday-september-11-at-9pm/61546|title=Syfy Original Movie 'Mandrake' Premieres Saturday, September 11 at 9pm|last=Seidman|first=Robert|website=[[TV by the Numbers]]|date=August 30, 2010|accessdate=December 23, 2010|archive-date=July 11, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711061855/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/08/30/syfy-original-movie-mandrake-premieres-saturday-september-11-at-9pm/61546/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
⚫
==Personal life==
⚫
In August 1988, Russell was engaged to actor [[Vincent Van Patten]], son of [[Dick Van Patten]]. They were married nine months later on May 27, 1989, in [[North Hollywood, Los Angeles|North Hollywood]]. Their wedding reception was at Van Patten's father's [[Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles|Sherman Oaks]] home.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Hollywood Freeway - Tears and Cheers for 'Phantom'|last=Swertlow|first=Frank|journal=[[Los Angeles Daily News]]|date=June 2, 1989}}</ref> They divorced in 2001 and have two sons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://musicfashionmagazine.com/read/betsyrussell/000186|title=Betsy Russell on MF Magazine|last=Noor|first=Star|work=Music Fashion Magazine|date=November 2010|accessdate=December 22, 2010|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5vBeqvf9x?url=http://musicfashionmagazine.com/read/betsyrussell/000186|archive-date=December 23, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Haute1"/> Russell was previously engaged to film producer [[Mark Burg]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/357256/interview_with_saw_actress_betsy_russell.html|title=Interview with Saw actress Betsy Russell|last=Bowles|first=Duncan|website=[[Den of Geek]]|date=November 9, 2009|accessdate=December 22, 2010|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/23J30|archive-date=December 23, 2010}}</ref>


⚫
==Personal life==
Russell resides in [[Malibu, California]].<ref name="Haute1">{{cite web|url=http://www.hauteliving.com/2010/08/haute-secrets-los-angeles-betsy-russell/|title=Haute Secrets Los Angeles: Betsy Russell|last= Bryant|first=Jessica|work=Haute Living Magazine|date=August 26, 2010|accessdate=December 22, 2010|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/88bI4|archive-date=December 23, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>
⚫
In August 1988, Russell became engaged to actor [[Vincent Van Patten]] and they married nine months later, on May 27, 1989, in [[North Hollywood, Los Angeles|North Hollywood]]. The wedding reception was at Van Patten's father's [[Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles|Sherman Oaks]] home.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Hollywood Freeway - Tears and Cheers for 'Phantom'|last=Swertlow|first=Frank|journal=[[Los Angeles Daily News]]|date=June 2, 1989}}</ref> They have two sons and divorced in 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://musicfashionmagazine.com/read/betsyrussell/000186|title=Betsy Russell on MF Magazine|last=Noor|first=Star|work=Music Fashion Magazine|date=November 2010|accessdate=December 22, 2010|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120711032834/http://musicfashionmagazine.com/read/betsyrussell/000186|archive-date=July 11, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Haute1"/> Russell was previously engaged to film producer [[Mark Burg]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/357256/interview_with_saw_actress_betsy_russell.html|title=Interview with Saw actress Betsy Russell|last=Bowles|first=Duncan|website=[[Den of Geek]]|date=November 9, 2009|accessdate=December 22, 2010|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20230223010240/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/interview-with-saw-actress-betsy-russell/|archive-date=February 23, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> {{As of|2010}}, Russell resided in [[Malibu, California]]. She has completed a masters program in Spiritual Psychology at the University of Santa Monica and is a certified hypnotist and life coach.<ref name="Haute1">{{cite web|url=http://www.hauteliving.com/2010/08/haute-secrets-los-angeles-betsy-russell/|title=Haute Secrets Los Angeles: Betsy Russell|last=Bryant|first=Jessica|work=Haute Living Magazine|date=August 26, 2010|accessdate=December 22, 2010|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20230223010211/https://www.hauteliving.com/2010/08/haute-secrets-los-angeles-betsy-russell/|archive-date=February 23, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="MalibuTimes">{{cite web|url=http://www.malibutimes.com/articles/2010/10/13/malibu_life/art2.txt|title=Malibu's queen of Halloween|last=Aushenker|first=Michael|website=[[The Malibu Times]]|date=October 13, 2010|accessdate=December 23, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125155213/http://www.malibutimes.com/malibu_life/article_6a6ddfdd-7908-5cc3-8d46-393a66922bc3.html|archive-date=January 25, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Credits==
==Credits==
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| ''[[Private School (film)|Private School]]''
| ''[[Private School (film)|Private School]]''
| Jordan
| Jordan
| '
|
|-
|-
| 1985
| rowspan="3" | 1985
| ''[[Avenging Angel (1985 film)|Avenging Angel]]''
| ''[[Avenging Angel (1985 film)|Avenging Angel]]''
| Molly "Angel" Stewart
| Molly "Angel" Stewart
|
|
|-
|-
| 1985
|''[[Tomboy (1985 film)|Tomboy]]''
|''[[Tomboy (1985 film)|Tomboy]]''
| Tomasina 'Tommy' Boyd
| Tomasina 'Tommy' Boyd
|
|
|-
|-
| 1985
| ''[[Out of Control (1985 film)|Out of Control]]''
| ''[[Out of Control (1985 film)|Out of Control]]''
| Chrissie Baret
| Chrissie Baret
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| ''[[Saw III]]''
| ''[[Saw III]]''
| rowspan="4"|[[List of Saw characters#Jill Tuck|Jill Tuck]]
| rowspan="4"|[[List of Saw characters#Jill Tuck|Jill Tuck]]
| Cameo
|
|-
|-
| 2007
| 2007
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|
|
|-
|-
| 2010
| rowspan="2" | 2010
| ''[[Chain Letter (film)|Chain Letter]]''
| ''[[Chain Letter (film)|Chain Letter]]''
| Sergeant Hamill
| Sergeant Hamill
|
|
|-
|-
| 2010
| ''[[Saw 3D]]''
| ''[[Saw 3D]]''
| Jill Tuck
| Jill Tuck
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| Direct-to-video
| Direct-to-video
|-
|-
| 2014
| rowspan="2" | 2014
| ''[[My Trip Back to the Dark Side (film)|My Trip Back to the Dark Side]]''
| ''[[My Trip Back to the Dark Side (film)|My Trip Back to the Dark Side]]''
| Destiny
| Destiny
|
|
|-
|-
| 2014
| ''Knock 'em Dead''
| ''Knock 'em Dead''
| Louanne the Maid / Laurie Grant
| Louanne the Maid / Laurie Grant
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| ''[[T. J. Hooker]]''
| ''[[T. J. Hooker]]''
| Teenager
| Teenager
| Episode: "Second Chance"
| Episode: "[[List of T. J. Hooker episodes#ep6|Second Chance]]"
|-
|-
| 1982
| 1982
| ''[[Family Ties]]''
| ''[[Family Ties]]''
| Girl
| Girl
| Episode: "Not with My Sister You Don't"
| Episode: "[[List of Family Ties episodes#ep2|Not with My Sister You Don't]]"
|-
|-
| 1984-1986
| 1984-1986
| ''[[The A-Team]]''
| ''[[The A-Team]]''
| Tina<br />Adrian Prescott
| Tina<br />Adrian Prescott
| Episodes: "Bullets and Bikinis" and "Members Only"
| {{ubl|Episode: "[[The A-Team (season 3)#ep38|Bullets and Bikinis]]"|Episode: "[[The A-Team (season 4)#ep77|Members Only]]"}}
|-
|-
| 1986
| 1986
| ''[[Murder, She Wrote]]''
| ''[[Murder, She Wrote]]''
| Doris Robinson
| Doris Robinson
| Episode: "Menace, Anyone?"
| Episode: "[[List of Murder, She Wrote episodes#ep43|Menace, Anyone?]]"
|-
|-
| 1986–1987
| 1986–1987
| ''[[1st & Ten (1984 TV series)|1st & Ten]]''
| ''[[1st & Ten (1984 TV series)|1st & Ten]]''
| Christy
| Christy
| Episode: "Yinessa's Interview"<br />Episode: "Easy Come, Easy Go<br />Episode: "The Big One"
| {{ubl|Episode: "Yinessa's Interview"|Episode: "Easy Come, Easy Go|Episode: "The Big One"}}
|-
|-
| 1989
| 1989
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| ''[[Superboy (TV series)|Superboy]]''
| ''[[Superboy (TV series)|Superboy]]''
| Serene
| Serene
| Episode: "Superboy... Rest in Peace"
| Episode: "[[List of Superboy episodes#ep38|Superboy... Rest in Peace]]"
|-
|-
| 1995
| 1995
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|-
|-
| 2013
| 2013
| ''Non-Stop''
| ''First Class Fear''
| Gayle
| Gayle
| Television film
| Television film
|-
|-
| 2017
| 2017
| ''Born and Missing'' (aka ''Babynapped'')
| ''Born and Missing''
| Dr. Taylor
| Dr. Taylor
| Television film
| Television film
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| 2018
| 2018
| ''[[Robot Chicken]]''
| ''[[Robot Chicken]]''
| Laurie / Teenage Girl
| Lori / Teenage Girl (voice)
| Episode: "Your Mouth Is Hanging off Your Face"
| Episode: "[[Robot Chicken (season 9)#ep178|Your Mouth Is Hanging off Your Face]]"
|}
|}


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==External links==
==External links==
* {{Official website}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{IMDb name|751018}}
* {{IMDb name}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes-person|betsy_russell}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes-person}}
* {{amg name|62197}}
* {{amg name}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

Latest revision as of 05:23, 7 October 2024

Betsy Russell
Russell in 2007
Born
Elizabeth Russell

(1963-09-06) September 6, 1963 (age 61)
San Diego, California, U.S.
EducationMission Bay High School
Alma materUniversity of Santa Monica
Occupations
  • Actress
  • producer
Years active1982–present
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1989; div. 2001)​
Children2
ParentRichard Russell (father)
RelativesMax Lerner (maternal grandfather)
Websiteimbetsyrussell.com
Signature

Betsy Russell (born Elizabeth Russell; September 6, 1963) is an American actress who is best known for her roles in Private School (1983), Tomboy (1985), and as Jill Tuck, one of the primary characters of the Saw film series from 2006 to 2010.

Early life

[edit]

Russell was born in San 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 educator Max Lerner.[3] Her father and maternal grandfather were Jewish.[2] Russell attended Mission Bay High School and graduated in 1981.[4] While in high school, she appeared in a Pepsi commercial that was taped locally.[5]

Career

[edit]
Russell at the Grauman's Chinese Theatre in 2010

Russell's first role was in the 1982 film Let's Do It!.[6] That same year, she landed roles on T. J. Hooker, Family Ties, and The Powers of Matthew Star. In 1983, Russell's breakout role came as Jordan Leigh-Jensen in the sex comedy Private School. While shooting the action film Avenging Angel, she was offered to audition for the 1985 film Silverado 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 comedy Tomboy and the slasher film Cheerleader Camp. Russell also appeared on TV series such as The A-Team, Murder, She Wrote, 1st & Ten, and an episode of Superboy, which was a reunion with her Tomboy co-star Gerard Christopher. After 15 years of retirement from acting to focus on family,[7] Russell appeared in a small role in Saw III playing John Kramer's ex-wife, Jill Tuck.

She went on to star in the sequels, Saw IV, Saw V, Saw VI, and Saw 3D.[8] She played a role in the 2010 film Chain Letter, the SyFy film Mandrake, and My Trip Back to the Dark Side.[9][10]

Personal life

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In August 1988, Russell became engaged to actor Vincent Van Patten and they married nine months later, on May 27, 1989, in North Hollywood. The wedding reception was at Van Patten's father's Sherman Oaks home.[11] They have two sons and divorced in 2001.[12][13] Russell was previously engaged to film producer Mark Burg.[14] As of 2010, Russell resided in Malibu, 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

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Film

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List of films and roles
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

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List of television appearances and roles
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
  • Episode: "Yinessa's Interview"
  • Episode: "Easy Come, Easy Go
  • Episode: "The Big One"
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

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  1. ^ Rose, Mike (September 6, 2022). "Today's famous birthdays list for September 6, 2022 includes celebrities Idris Elba, Macy Gray". Cleveland.com. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "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. Retrieved October 30, 2010.
  3. ^ a b McDonald, Patrick (October 27, 2010). "Interview: Betsy Russell Completes the Jigsaw Puzzle in Saw 3D". HW Chicago. Archived from the original on February 23, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  4. ^ "MBHS Taroga 1981". Mission Bay Senior High School. 1981. p. 198. Archived from the original on February 23, 2023. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  5. ^ "Betsy Russell". Haute Living. July 28, 2012. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  6. ^ "Let's Do It". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  7. ^ a b Aushenker, Michael (October 13, 2010). "Malibu's queen of Halloween". The Malibu Times. Archived from the original on January 25, 2018. Retrieved December 23, 2010.
  8. ^ Topel, Fred (October 26, 2007). "Betsy Russell on Saw IV". CraveOnline. Archived from the original on March 10, 2008. Retrieved May 31, 2008.
  9. ^ Miska, Brad (November 8, 2009). "AFM '09: New Films Acquires 'Chain Letter', New Trailer". Bloody Disgusting. The Collective. Retrieved December 23, 2010.
  10. ^ Seidman, Robert (August 30, 2010). "Syfy Original Movie 'Mandrake' Premieres Saturday, September 11 at 9pm". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. Retrieved December 23, 2010.
  11. ^ Swertlow, Frank (June 2, 1989). "Hollywood Freeway - Tears and Cheers for 'Phantom'". Los Angeles Daily News.
  12. ^ Noor, Star (November 2010). "Betsy Russell on MF Magazine". Music Fashion Magazine. Archived from the original on July 11, 2012. Retrieved December 22, 2010.
  13. ^ a b Bryant, Jessica (August 26, 2010). "Haute Secrets Los Angeles: Betsy Russell". Haute Living Magazine. Archived from the original on February 23, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2010.
  14. ^ Bowles, Duncan (November 9, 2009). "Interview with Saw actress Betsy Russell". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on February 23, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2010.
  15. ^ Hixon, Michael (June 3, 2019). "Independent film 'Bully High' tackles issues making headlines while filming in Hermosa Beach". Daily Breeze. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
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