Actor / Director Profile

A primary example of a talented individual never reaching their potential, Theresa Russell was discovered by a photographer when she was twelve. She modeled and eventually dropped out of high school to study at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute and made her film debut in a notable part opposite many Hollywood heavyweights in The Last Tycoon (1976). She later became a familiar face in art-house or independent films, including: Bad Timing: A Sensual Obsession (1980), Eureka (1983), Insignificance (1985), Aria (1987), Impulse (1990) and Whore (1991) (many directed by her husband-at-the-time Nicolas Roeg.)Attempts at high profile projects have been unfortunately sporadic and largely unsuccessful, she did however perform as an impressive lead with Debra Winger in the 1987 thriller hit Black Widow (1987), played in a major role in the mini-series "Blind Ambition" (1979), worked in Straight Time (1978) and appeared as Denise Richards's promiscuous mother in Wild Things (1998).Working today as a leading character actress in various independent and well known TV shows and movies, Russell also appears in an occasional big film (Spider-Man 3 (2007)) and looks after herself and her children in the Los Angeles area. Stunningly beautiful, and aging magnificently, Russell may not have had a conventional Hollywood success story but rather a versatile, in depth and satisfying career with many followers and fans.