‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ Star Jane Russell Dies at 89

Actress Jane Russell, best known for her films during the 1940s and 1950s, passed away in her Santa Maria home Monday at the age of 89. Russell’s daughter-in-law Etta Waterfield says the actress died of a respiratory-related illness.
Russell was discovered by eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes who cast her in his sexy and controversial 1941 western The Outlaw. The 1943 release was famously the subject of a legal battle over exactly how much of the actress’ cleavage could be displayed and not violate production code. Nevertheless, the film turned Russell into a star.
She went on to appear opposite such leading men as Frank Sinatra and Bob Hope, but perhaps her most famous role was opposite Marilyn Monroe in 1953′sGentlemen Prefer Blondes.
Other notable roles included Double Dynamite (with Groucho Marx and Frank Sinatra), His Kind of Woman and Macao (both opposite Robert Mitchum).
Russell was also the number one pin-up girl of US troops stationed overseas during World War II, and her curvy figure earned her the role of an early spokesmodel for Playtex bras.
A vocal advocate of adoption, she also founded the Women’s Adoption International Fund.
Until her health began to decline a few weeks ago, Waterfield said Russell remained active singing and working for various causes.
A service will be held to honour Russell at Pacific Christian Church in Santa Maria on March 23.