Jane Russell, 1921-2011

Jane Russell passed away on Monday at the age of 89 of respiratory failure. Although she might be gone, her influence on Hollywood will not soon be forgotten. Russell’s beauty was undeniable. However, it is not what set her apart from the swarms of other upcoming actresses. Russell was special because not only was she beautiful, she was intelligent and funny; a winning combo that at the time was rare.

Russell’s voluptuous figure seemed other-worldly. So much so that she inspired filmmaker Howard Hughes to create one of the first underwire brassieres and subsequently give her her first on-screen part in The Outlaw. Russell was also one of the few woman to share the screen with Marilyn Monroe in “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” and still make a statement of her own. We are sad to see one of entertainment’s biggest icons go, but we know her mark on Hollywood will live on forever.

She is survived by three children, six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.