Keri Russell Pictures, Biography, Images, Videos, News

Actress Keri Russell seemingly materialized from nowhere to star in the WB’s popular teen-angst drama “Felicity” (1998-2002), but she had actually been a teen entertainer on stage and in Disney’s star-making Orlando studios for years. She earned an Emmy Award and audiences loved her as the intelligent but naïve Felicity Porter, a sheltered suburban girl who moves to New York to attend college and is exposed to the coarser side of life, thanks to her new big city friends. When the show ended after four seasons, television audiences lost sight of the actress who kept a low profile while strategizing on how to segue into broader adult roles. Russell’s eventual follow-up projects included a small but pivotal role in J.J. Abrams’ deft “Mission: Impossible III” (2006) and a co-starring role the Adam Sandler family fantasy “Bedtime Stories”(2008), but she focused mainly on meatier independent features like the acclaimed “Waitress” (2007), completing a successful transition from small screen teen fame to respected film actress.

Born on March 23, 1976 and raised in Fountain Valley, CA, Russell’s father was an automotive executive, which led to several family relocations including a move to Mesa, AZ when she was young. While in Mesa, Russell began studying ballet and jazz dance, eventually touring the country with a dance and drill team. The family moved after Russell earned a scholarship to a studio in Denver, CO, where she was required to attend 40 hours of dance per week in addition to her academic studies. A chance discovery by a talent scout who saw photos of her performing led to various television appearances and culminated in a three-year gig as a regular performer on The Disney Channel’s “Mickey Mouse Club” from 1991 through 1994. Russell’s co-stars during her tenure included fellow future stars Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Ryan Gosling, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.