Jane Russell

Sexy Screen Legend Jane Russell Dies at 89 - Facts about Hollywood actress Jane Russell, who died at her home in Santa Maria, California, on Monday, aged 89.

Known for her voluptuous hourglass figure, the brunette beauty became a pinup queen and movie star in the mold of Marilyn Monroe, Rita Hayworth and other icons but managed to avoid any major upheaval or scandal in her personal life.

Russell's vampy breakout role was in the 1943 Western The Outlaw, directed by eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes. WWI soldiers were huge fans of the busty brunette, who wore low-cut costumes and swimsuits in countless photos.

Other Russell hits included comedy western The Paleface ( 1948 ) with Bob Hope, Double Dynamite with Frank Sinatra, and Gentleman Prefer Blondes, a musical in which she went toe to toe ( and sang ) with Monroe. ( Russell also starred in 1955 sequel, Gentlemen Marry Brunettes, without the world famous blond ).

* Howard Hughes discovered Russell when she was participating in theatrical workshops in Hollywood. The billionaire quickly cast her in his 1943 film "The Outlaw," the story of Old West outlaw Billy the Kid.

* Russell became notorious even before "The Outlaw" was released due to her sexy pose in a low-cut blouse in promotional pictures for the movie. While the film was tame by contemporary standards, Hollywood and state censors held up its release for almost three years. The issue ended up in court, with one judge saying Russell's breasts "hung over the picture like a thunderstorm over a landscape. They were everywhere."

* After an abortion at age 18, Russell was unable to have children. She and first husband Bob Waterfield later adopted three children and in the 1950s she founded the World Adoption International Fund, known as WAIF.

* Russell, whose sexpot image conflicted with her Christian faith, helped start the Hollywood Christian Group, a Bible study class. She was proudest of her work for children's causes.

* In order to play Hughes in the 2004 film "The Aviator," Leonardo DiCaprio spent a day talking with Russell about the mogul.