Betsy Russell (born Elizabeth Russell; September 6, 1963) is an American actress who is best known for her roles in Private School (1983), Tomboy (1985), and as Jill Tuck, one of the primary characters of the Saw film series from 2006 to 2010.
Early life Russell was born in San Diego, California, on September 6, 1963, the daughter of Constance (née Lerner) and Richard Lion Russell, a stock analyst. She is the granddaughter of the late journalist and educator Max Lerner. Her father and maternal grandfather were Jewish. Russell attended Mission Bay High School and graduated in 1981. While in high school, she appeared in a locally taped Pepsi commercial.
Career
Russell's first role was in the 1982 film Let's Do It!. That same year, she landed roles on T. J. Hooker, Family Ties, and The Powers of Matthew Star. In 1983, Russell's breakout role came as Jordan Leigh-Jensen in the sex comedy Private School. While shooting the action film Avenging Angel, she was offered to audition for the 1985 film Silverado but turned it down. She said in an interview, "Everything happens for a reason. I always believe my career would have been different had I done that part. I can't say if it would have been better or worse. I've had a great run."
Russell went on to star in a series of B movies in the 1980s, including the comedy Tomboy and the slasher film Cheerleader Camp. Russell also appeared on TV series such as The A-Team, Murder, She Wrote, 1st & Ten, and an episode of Superboy, which was a reunion with her Tomboy co-star Gerard Christopher. After 15 years of retirement from acting to focus on family, Russell appeared in a small role in Saw III playing John Kramer's ex-wife, Jill Tuck.
She went on to star in the sequels, Saw IV, Saw V, Saw VI, and Saw 3D. She played a role in the 2010 film Chain Letter, the SyFy film Mandrake, and My Trip Back to the Dark Side.
Personal life In August 1988, Russell became engaged to actor Vincent Van Patten and they married nine months later, on May 27, 1989, in North Hollywood. The wedding reception was at Van Patten's father's Sherman Oaks home. They have two sons and divorced in 2001. Russell was previously engaged to film producer Mark Burg. , Russell resided in Malibu, California. She has completed a masters program in Spiritual Psychology at the University of Santa Monica and is a certified hypnotist and life coach.
Credits
Film +List of films and roles Year Title Role Notes 1982 Let's Do It! Kittie 1983 Private School Jordan Leigh-Jensen 1985 Avenging Angel Molly "Angel" StewartTomboy Tomasina 'Tommy' Boyd Out of Control Chrissie Baret 1988 Cheerleader Camp Alison Wentworth 1989 Trapper County War Lacey Luddigger 1991 Camp Fear Jamie 1992 Delta Heat Vicky Forbes 1993 Amore! Cheryl Schwartz 1995 The Break Candy 2000 The Flunky Candy 2006 Saw IIIJill Tuck Cameo 2007 Saw IV 2008 Saw V 2009 Saw VI 2010 Chain Letter Sergeant Hamill Saw 3D Jill Tuck 2012 Lose Yourself Destiny Direct-to-video 2014 My Trip Back to the Dark Side Destiny Knock 'em Dead Louanne the Maid / Laurie Grant 2022 Bully High Beth White Also co-producer
Television +List of television appearances and roles Year Title Role Notes 1982 The Powers of Matthew Star Dawn Episode: "Jackal" 1982 T. J. Hooker Teenager Episode: "Second Chance" 1982 Family Ties Girl Episode: "Not with My Sister You Don't" 1984–1986 The A-Team TinaAdrian Prescott 1986 Murder, She Wrote Doris Robinson Episode: "Menace, Anyone?" 1986–1987 1st & Ten Christy 1989 Roxanne: The Prize Pulitzer Liza Pulitzer Television film 1989 Superboy Serene Episode: "Superboy... Rest in Peace" 1995 Platypus Man Becky Episode "The Crush" 2010 Mandrake Felicia Television film 2013 First Class Fear Gayle Television film 2017 Born and Missing Dr. Taylor Television film 2018 Robot Chicken Lori / Teenage Girl (voice) Episode: "Your Mouth Is Hanging off Your Face"
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