Rene Russo was born in Burbank, California, to Shirley (Balocca), a barmaid and factory laborer, and Nino Russo. She grew up on the wrong side of the tracks. Her father, a sculptor and mechanic, left the family when Rene was just two, and thus her mother raised Rene and her sister, Toni, as a single mom. Her father was of Italian descent, and her mother was of Italian and German-English-Irish ancestry.
In junior high school, Rene was plagued with scoliosis and had to wear a full-torso brace. She was already a tall girl, which earned her the nickname "Jolly Green Giant" from her classmates. She entered Burroughs High School, along with classmate 朗·霍华德, and even though her brace had been removed, she was still somewhat of a loner. Unable to deal with academics and the school social scene, Rene dropped out of school in the tenth grade. Since money was tight, she began to take a variety of part-time jobs over the next 18 months, many for the free benefits. She sold refreshments at a movie theater, where she could see free movies; worked as a restaurant hostess, where her meals were free; and worked as a store cashier at Disneyland, where she had free admission. She often had two jobs at one time. Her last job, which was solely for the paycheck, was a full-time job at an eyeglass factory, inspecting contact lenses.
In 1972, the 17-year-old was attending a Rolling Stones concert when she was approached by John Crosby, a scout and manager from International Creative Management. He told her she should be a model and had test photos made of her. Within a few months, Rene signed a contract with Ford Modeling Agency and within a year had become a successful print and photographers model. Soon her modeling breakthrough came when she graced the cover of Vogue. By 1975, she had appeared on numerous magazine covers, was one of the most successful models in America, and was also starting to be seen in several TV commercials through the 1980s. She would define what a top fashion model was for years to come.
By her 30th birthday, demand for her began to dwindle, as it did for most models at that age. She did a few more commercials and then turned her back on modeling and show business for a while. Financially secure for the next several years, she began an intense period of literature and Christian theology. She also began to study theater and acting, and began appearing in theater roles at small regional theaters in Los Angeles and elsewhere in California.
Her television series debut came in 1987 with a supporting part on the short-lived TV series Sable (1987). In 1989 she made her motion picture debut with the part of the lead characters girlfriend in the film 大联盟 (1989). Her subsequent roles were that of girlfriends and supportive wives in a few films, until her breakthrough as an Internal Affairs detective in 致命武器3 (1992). Rene Russo has been praised for her ability to hold her own against her major male co-stars, who have included 梅尔·吉布森, 克林特·伊斯特伍德, 凯文·科斯特纳 and 皮尔斯·布鲁斯南. Two of her performances within the last few years have gotten her recognition as both a major dramatic actress and a talented character actress. One was as the mother of a kidnapped son in 赎金 (1996). The other was as the cartoon femme fatale foreign spy in 波波鹿与飞天鼠 (2000). Although the latter received mixed reviews among moviegoers and critics, Russo was praised for her performance of a role originally slated for 梅丽尔·斯特里普 in 1992. Rene Russo has been married to screenwriter 丹·吉尔罗伊 since 1992, and they have one daughter, named Rose. They reside in Brentwood, California.
Has seven siblings on her father's side. The late one-time auto-mechanic-turned-sculptor Nino Russo had at least six other children besides Rene. They are: Jim, January Debra, Toni Lynn, David, and Anthony John Russo.
She met her husband, 丹·吉尔罗伊, while they were both working on the film 雷霆穿梭人 (1992). Gilroy as screenwriter had turned down an offer to rewrite it, and Rene had turned down an offer to star in it. Both changed their minds, met on the set, and were soon married.
Is allergic to sesame.
Gave birth, at age 39, to her only child, daughter Rose Gilroy (Rose Jean Gilroy), on August 31, 1993. Child's father is her husband, 丹·吉尔罗伊.
Was originally cast as Dr. Chase Meridian in 永远的蝙蝠侠 (1995) but, when 迈克尔·基顿 was replaced by 方·基默, she was replaced with 妮可·基德曼 because the producers felt that she was too old to be a convincing love interest for Kilmer.
Daughter-in-law of 弗兰克.
Sister-in-law of John Gilroy and 托尼·吉尔罗伊.
A huge Red Sox fan, she often attends games at Fenway Park and road games when the team is in California. She attended their post World Series victory party at the team hotel in Colorado after game 4 in 2007.
Had scoliosis in junior high school and wore a full-torso brace.
Lives in Los Angeles and Toluca Lake, California.
Aunt-in-law of Carolyn Gilroy and 萨姆·吉尔罗伊.
Ex-sister-in-law of Bernie Taupin.
Her father was of Italian descent. Her maternal grandfather was also of Italian descent, while her maternal grandmother had German, English, and Irish ancestry.
Has suffered from bipolar disorder since she was a young girl.
Is a devout Christian.
Wavy red hair and piercing blue eyes.
