Rosalind Russell was born into a family of seven children, where she was named after the S.S. Rosalind, a ship on which her parents had sailed, at the suggestion of her father, a successful lawyer.
After receiving a Catholic school education, Russell went on to attend the American Academy of Dramatic Art in New York, where she convinced her mother that she intended to teach acting. In 1934, she began her career in show business with some stock company work and a little Broadway experience, and was subsequently tested and signed by Universal Studios.
However, Russell was soon courted by MGM, who made her a better offer, and she ultimately signed with the studio for seven years. For some time, she was used in secondary roles, and was even used as a replacement threat to limit Myrna Loy's salary demands.
Despite this, Russell persevered and tested five times for the role of Sylvia Fowler in The Women (1939),and was finally cast in the part. Her "boss lady" roles began with the part of reporter Hildy Johnson in His Girl Friday (1940),through which she met her future husband, Cary Grant.
In her forties, Russell returned to the stage, touring "Bell, Book and Candle" in 1951 and winning a Tony Award for "Wonderful Town" in 1953. She also starred in the film Picnic (1955),and refused to be placed in the Best Supporting Actress category when Columbia Pictures wanted to promote her for an Academy Award nomination.
Throughout her career, Russell received several Oscar nominations, including for My Sister Eileen (1942),Sister Kenny (1946),Mourning Becomes Electra (1947),and Auntie Mame (1958). In 1972, she received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for her contributions to charity.
Russell's impressive career spanned over five decades, during which she established herself as a talented and versatile actress, both on stage and screen.
