Theresa Russell, a celebrated actress recognized as one of the "100 sexiest stars in film history" by Empire Magazine, was born in the vibrant city of San Diego, California. Her remarkable journey in the entertainment industry began at the tender age of 12, when a photographer discovered her talent and led her to make her film debut in Elia Kazan's The Last Tycoon (1976),alongside an illustrious cast including Robert De Niro, Jack Nicholson, and Robert Mitchum, at the age of 19.
Throughout her illustrious career, spanning nearly five decades, Theresa Russell has established herself as a versatile and accomplished actress, with a resume boasting over 40 films. Her impressive body of work has been characterized by her commitment to independent films, which have garnered critical acclaim and earned her recognition as a trailblazer in the industry. Some of her most notable roles include Bad Timing: A Sensual Obsession (1980),directed by Nicolas Roeg, whom she would later marry; Eureka (1983); Insignificance (1985); Aria (1987); and Ken Russell's Whore (1991).
Theresa Russell's iconic performance in the thriller Black Widow (1987),co-starring Debra Winger, stands as one of the most memorable and influential female crime dramas in cinema history. Her extensive filmography also includes standout roles in major film and television projects, such as Straight Time (1978),opposite Dustin Hoffman and Kathy Bates; The Razor's Edge (1984),opposite Bill Murray; Physical Evidence (1989) with Burt Reynolds; Kafka (1991),directed by Steven Soderbergh, opposite Jeremy Irons; Impulse (1990),directed by Sondra Locke; The Believer (2001),opposite Ryan Gosling; Luckytown (2000),with Kirsten Dunst and James Caan; Being Human (1994),opposite Robin Williams; Wild Things (1998),with Denise Richards, Matt Dillon, and Kevin Bacon; Jolene (2008),opposite Jessica Chastain; the blockbuster Spider-Man 3 (2007); and the mini-series Blind Ambition (1979),with Martin Sheen; Empire Falls (2005),with Ed Harris, Paul Newman, and Helen Hunt; and Lifetime's Liz & Dick (2012),opposite Lindsay Lohan, portraying Elizabeth Taylor's mother.
In addition to her illustrious acting career, Theresa Russell has also pursued her passion for music, performing alongside her then-partner, legendary jazz musician Michael Melvoin, in jazz clubs throughout the United States. As a devoted mother, she is the proud parent of two sons, Statten Roeg and Maximillian Roeg.
