logo
Getty Images
Getty Images

Jane Russell's Son Opened up about 'Outlaw' Star and Her Legacy in a Candid Interview

Lois Oladejo
Apr 20, 2020
07:30 P.M.

Jane Russell left a long-lasting legacy in Hollywood, but she left an even longer legacy on her children with her motherly love. One of her children, Buck, spoke about the actress in ways that were not known to the world.

Advertisement

In an interview with one of Jane Russell's son, Buck Waterfield, he recounted some of the memories he has of his late mother.

Waterfield recalled a grocery shopping they had when he was a kid. According to him, a young girl had walked up to Jane to ask if she was indeed Jane Russell. The actress replied to the question saying, "Not today, sweetheart!"

Photo of Jane Russell wearing an off-the-shoulder blue and gold dress , with a red theatre curtain behind her, circa 1955 | Photo: Getty Images

Photo of Jane Russell wearing an off-the-shoulder blue and gold dress , with a red theatre curtain behind her, circa 1955 | Photo: Getty Images

Advertisement

Buck also spoke about how his mother would deliberately dress differently whenever she didn't want people to recognize her.

Despite her popularity as one of the sexiest women to ever live, Jane kept her public persona and her private life separate as much as she could. Buck explained:

"She would say, You have to turn it on when you're out and turn it off when you go home. She was actually real and not Hollywood."

Photo of Jane Russell wearing an orange dress, with large drop earrings, in a studio portrait, against a white background, circa 1955. | Photo: Getty Images

Photo of Jane Russell wearing an orange dress, with large drop earrings, in a studio portrait, against a white background, circa 1955. | Photo: Getty Images

Advertisement

Although the actress was born in Minnesota, she grew up in Southern California, where she studied acting and music and eventually began to work as a model.

Russell rose to fame after movie director Howard Hughes picked her to appear in the 1943 movie, "The Outlaw." The film drew attention to her curvaceous figure, which was often associated with her.

Russell founded the "World International Adoption Fund"

Jane Russell poses for a portrait in August 1987 in Los Angeles, California. | Photo: Getty Images

Jane Russell poses for a portrait in August 1987 in Los Angeles, California. | Photo: Getty Images

Advertisement

Even as she continued to gain more popularity with movies like "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" and "The Tall Men with Clark Gable," Russell always put her family first.

Buck remembered a time when his mother had been shooting the 1955 movie "Underwater" in Hawaii. He explained that the director of the film, John Sturges, had wanted to keep the cast working through Christmas. He said:

"...and my mom said, 'No, we're shutting down, and I'm going home!. Sturges finally caved in to her, which most people did with my mom."

Jane Russell during Jane Russell Appearance at American Cinematheque Screenings at the Aero Theatre at Aero Theatre in Santa Monica, CA., United States | Photo: Getty Images

Jane Russell during Jane Russell Appearance at American Cinematheque Screenings at the Aero Theatre at Aero Theatre in Santa Monica, CA., United States | Photo: Getty Images

Advertisement

In 1943, Jane married her first husband, Bob Waterfield, who went on to play as a quarterback in the NFL. The couple adopted three children — Buck, Tracy, and Thomas.

Russell revealed that she made the adoptions due to her inability to have children. This was caused by a botched abortion she had done previously.

 Jane Russell in a portrait session for the movie "Montana Belle" which was released in November 1952 | Photo: Getty Images

Jane Russell in a portrait session for the movie "Montana Belle" which was released in November 1952 | Photo: Getty Images

Despite her constant portrayal as a sex symbol, Jane was described as "an extremely strong Christian woman" who carried her faith until the last day.

In 1955, Russell founded the "World International Adoption Fund," which she considered her greatest achievement. In February 2011, the actress died of respiratory failure in Santa Maria, California.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

Tom Brady & Pregnant Bridget Moynahan Split - She Wed Husband at Secret Ceremony 9 Years Later

February 20, 2022

Jane Seymour, 71, Weighs the Same as in Her Teens & Said She Could Pass For 25 After Becoming ‘Fat’ Years Ago

February 17, 2022

Roseanne Barr Is a Doting Mom & Grandma to Her 5 Look-Alike Kids & 6 Grandchildren

May 21, 2022

Jane Fonda Is Not ‘Dating Anymore’ After 3 Marriages – She Failed to Find ‘the Opposite of Her Father’

March 13, 2022

George Clooney Believed He Would 'Never Get Married Again' or Be a Dad until He 'Hit the Jackpot'

March 13, 2022

Elderly Woman Visits Her Parents’ Grave and Sees Homeless Woman Her Age Putting Flowers on It — Story of the Day

April 30, 2022

Michael McKean & Wife Annette Share a Blended Family — Their Son's Body Was Found Lifeless at a Young Age

April 03, 2022

Jane Fonda Did Not Know How to Be a Good Parent to the Girl Who Called Her Mom Yet Never Legally Adopted

February 18, 2022

Julie Andrews Misses Her Husband 'like Crazy' after Trying to Save Him from the 'Monster' of Self-Medication

May 11, 2022

Cameron Diaz Had Her Daughter at 47 After Nothing ‘Worked Out’ - She Thought She Would Be a Mom of 2 by 21

January 05, 2023

Goldie Hawn Turned to Prayer to Heal Son Who Almost Died at 1 Day Old – Now She Calls Him 'A Gift'

March 26, 2022

Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell’s 4 Kids Believe in Marriage Unlike Their Parents - Meet Their Families

February 07, 2022

Kurt Russell Took over the Role of a Father to Goldie Hawn’s Kids after Their Biological Dad Abandoned Them

February 04, 2022

Annette Funicello Was Unable to Eat, Drink & Talk during Her Last Years — Her Husband Never Gave up Hope

March 02, 2022