Actress. Born One of seven childen to Clara and James Edward Russell in Waterbury, Connecticut. She attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and made her Broadway debut in 1930 in “Garrick Gaieties” which ran for about two weeks in October 1930.Within four years she was under contract to MGM and made her film debut in “Evelyn Prentice” in 1934. One of her of her best known performances was in “His Girl Friday” in 1940. In 1941 she married producer Frederick Brisson, whom she met through her co-star, Cary Grant. She earned Golden Globe Award wins for leading roles in, “Sister Kenny” in 1946 and “Mourning Becomes Electra” in 1947. Her signature role, however, began in the 1956 to 1958 Broadway run of “Auntie Mame,” a role she reprised in the 1958 film adaptation for which she won another Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination. Over the next decade, she portrayed a broader range of roles returning notable performances in “Gypsy” in 1962 and “The Trouble with Angels” in 1966. Afflicted with health problems in later years, including rheumatoid arthritis and cancer, her output declined. In 1971 she appeared in the comedy “Mrs. Polliffax – Spy,” and her last role was the television movie, “The Crooked Hearts” in 1972. That same year, she received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award during the Academy Awards. She completed writing her autobiography with Chris Chase entitled “Life is a Banquet,” which would be published a year after her death. She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1708 Vine Street. (bio by: Iola)  Family links:  Spouse:  Frederick Brisson (1913 – 1984)* *Calculated relationshipCause of death: Cancer