Connie Russell
| Connie Russell | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Born |
May 9, 1923 New York City, USA |
| Died | December 18, 1990 (aged 67) Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Occupation | Actress Singer |
| Years active | 1937-1956 |
| Spouse(s) | Mike Zimring (?-1990) (her death) (3 children) |
Connie Russell (May 9, 1923 – December 18, 1990) was an American singer and movie actress. Born in New York City, she appeared in seven films from the 1930s through the 1950s. She was far better known as a singer than as an actress, as her singing career was quite extensive.
Russell was the daughter of Tommy and Nina Russell, a vaudeville team. Her grandparents were also entertainers, performing as Glenroy and Russell. She attended Lawrence High School in Cedarhurst, Long Island, and the Professional Children's School in New York City.
While she was still a teenager, Russell performed at venues such as the Starlight Club at New York's Waldorf-Astoria, the 500 Club in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the Famous Door, and the Paramount Theater in New York City.
By the time she was 16, Russell had signed a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Her film debut came in Cruisin' Down the River (1953). (Another source says that her "first socko movie appearance was in Lady Be Good" in 1941.) She played a lead role in the 1956 movie, Nightmare.
On radio, Russell was the featured female singer on Let Yourself Go on CBS (1944-1945). She also appeared frequently on the syndicated Naval Air Reserve Show. In 1947, she became a network staff singer on NBC, joining Manor House Summer Party for an eight-week stint as the program's featured singer.
On television, she was a regular singer on Club Embassy,Garroway at Large (1949-1951) and on The Buick-Berle Show on NBC (1953-1955). She also had success on Eddie Cantor's TV program when he liked her so well in a guest appearance that he signed her to a contract.
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