Lillian Russell, actress and singer, the first great prima donna of the American musical stage, known as "The American Beauty" and "Airy Fairy Lillian," was born Helen Louise Leonard in Clinton, Iowa, December 4, 1861. Her father was an owner and editor of a local newspaper and her mother was an advocate of women's rights. She grew up with her mother in Chicago and New York after her parents' divorce. She made her professional debut in the chorus of an 1879 production of H.M.S. Pinafore and then appeared in vaudeville at Tony Pastor's Theater under the stage name Lillian Russell. She played in England as well as the United States and soon made a name for herself in burlesque and light opera. By the end of the century she had starred in 24 musicals including Polly, Pepita, Dorothy, The Grand Duchess, Princess Nicotine, An American Beauty, and The Wedding Day, many written expressly for her.
Known for her flamboyant personality as well as her beauty, Russell was notorious for not paying bills or honoring contracts and walking out on shows and husbands. Of the latter, she had four. By the turn of the century with her popularity on the wane somewhat, she joined Weber and Fields music hall, remaining there until 1903. The only song she ever recorded: Come Down, My Evening Star, was from their 1902 production of Twirly-Whirly . In 1904 she starred in Lady Teazle, a musical version of The School for Scandal, that was written for her. This was her last performance in a musical except for a reunion appearance with Weber and Fields in 1912. For the remainder of her life she continued in straight plays and vaudeville. She died on June 6, 1922 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Lillian Russell had one daughter born ca. 1883 and named for her mother, who later took the stage name of Dorothy Russell. Dorothy's stage career was short and unsuccessful. She was best known as the doted-on daughter of her famous mother and for her escapades that were reported in the press. She had six husbands and died on June 8, 1954.
From the guide to the Robert J. Gibson collection of Lillian Russell materials, 1894-1984, (The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.)
