Date of Birth 21 September 1924, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Date of Death 27 August 1961, Los Angeles, California (heart attack)

Birth Name Elizabeth L. Russell

Spouse Guy Madison (1949 - 1954) (divorced)

Gail Russell was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 21, 1924. She remained in the Windy City, going to school until her parents moved to California when she was 14. She was an above average student in school and upon graduation from Santa Monica High School was signed by Paramount Studios. Because of her rare beauty, Gail was to be groomed to be one of Paramount's top stars. She was very shy with virtually no acting experience to speak of, but her beauty was so apparent that the studio figured they could work with her on the acting by way of an acting coach that Paramount employed. Gail's first film came when she was 19 years old when she had a small role as Virginia Lowry in HENRY ALDRICH GETS GLAMOUR in 1943. It was her only role that year, but it was a start. Hopefully others would soon follow. The following year she appeared in another motion picture, albeit another insignificant role in THE UNINVITED with Ray Milland. (It was also the first time Gail used alcohol to steady her nerves on the set. This would come back to haunt her). It was a horror story very well done for its day. The film was a profitable one for the studio. The third time was the charm as Gail co-starred with Diana Lynn in OUR HEARTS WERE YOUNG AND GAY (1944) that same year. The film was based on popular book of the time and the film was even more popular. In 1945, Gail appeared in SALTY O'ROUKE, a story about crooked gamblers involved in horse racing. Although she wasn't a standout in the film, Gail worked well as part of the supporting cast. Later that year, Gail appeared in THE UNSEEN, a story about a haunted house starring Joel McCrea. Gail played Elizabeth Howard, a governess of the house in question. The film turned a profit, but was not the hit that executives hoped for. In 1946, Gail was again teamed with Diana Lynn for a sequel to OUR HEARTS WERE YOUNG AND GAY, in OUR HEARTS WERE GROWING UP. The plot centered around two young college girls getting involved with bootleggers. Unfortunately, the film was not anywhere the caliber of the first film. It failed at the box-office. With CALCUTTA in 1947, Gail bounced back in a more popular film which starred Alan Ladd. Most critics felt that Gail was miscast in this epic drama. That same year Gail was cast with John Wayne and Harry Carey, Sr. in ANGEL AND THE BADMAN. The western was a popular one with the public and Gail shined in the role of Penelope Worth. Still later, Gail appeared in Paramount's all-star musical called VARIETY GIRL. The critics roasted the film, while the public turned out in droves to ensure its success at the box-office. After the releases of SONG OF INDIA, EL PASO, and CAPTAIN CHINA in 1949, Gail married Guy Madison, one of the up and coming actors in Hollywood. After THE LAWLESS in 1950, Paramount decided against renewing her contract because Gail's drinking problems. She had been convicted of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. The studio didn't want its name mired with someone who couldn't control their drinking. The film roles were coming in slowly now. After AIR CADET in 1951, her only film that year, she disappeared from movie sets for the next five years while she attempted to get control of her life. She divorced Madison in 1954. In 1956, Gail returned to the silver screen in SEVEN MEN FROM NOW. It was a Western with Gail being cast in the minor role of Annie Greer. In 1957, Gail was fourth billed in THE TATTERED DRESS, a film which also starred Jeanne Crain and Jeff Chandler. She, obviously, felt better about getting a better role, but the following year she had a reduced part in NO PLACE TO LAND. By now the demons of alcohol had her in its grasp. She was again absent from the screen until 1961's THE SILENT CALL. It was her last film. On August 26, 1961, Gail was found dead in her small studio apartment in Los Angeles, California. Death was attributed to an alcohol induced heart attack. She was only 36 years old. Had it not been for the alcohol, Gail's career could have been one of the most stable in Hollywood. She owed herself that much.