Screen legend Jane Rusell died Monday morning of respiratory failure at her home in Santa Maria, California.
According to daughter-in-law Etta Waterfield, Russell was a “pillar of health” but caught a cold and died of respiratory difficulties.
Russell became a popular pinup girl during World War II, after being discovered by Howard Hughes for his film, “Outlaw.”
She went on to become an accomplished actress in dramatic and comedic roles, catapulting to fame when she starred alongside Marilyn Monroe in “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.”
Survivors include her children, Thomas K. Waterfield, Tracy Foundas and Robert “Buck” Waterfield, six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
See Larry King’s 1999 interview with Jane Russell below:
photo: FayesVision/WENN