What Ever Happened To: Betsy Russell

In 1983, after FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH and PARADISE, guys went to see the new Phoebe Cates film, PRIVATE SCHOOL.

Unfortunately for them, Phoebe had grown up a bit, and mostly kept her clothes on in this one, even using a double at one point.

But that didn’t matter. Most were distracted by her co-star, a red head by the name of Betsy Russell.

This wasn’t her first role. She had a small role in a now forgotten film, and roles on TV, including an episode of FAMILY TIES. But, PRIVATE SCHOOL became her most memorable film.



In it, she played Jordan, the spoiled rival of Cates. The two of them fought to win over Matthew Modine (before he would work with Kubrick and Altman). In her attempts to steal him away from Cates, Russell had to resort to such actions as horseback riding topless. Ahh, the 80’s.



She would go on to take over the lead in AVENGING ANGEL, one of the rare sequels that is better than the first. But, it was a New World film. That isn’t exactly a difficult thing to do. Playing the student by day, vigilante hooker by night, it stands as a not so terrible entry into the 80’s drive-in genre.



In TOMBOY she played a mechanic, trying to win over a guy. It wasn’t a good film. But, it is one of her few starring roles, so is worthy for that entry.

1985’s OUT OF CONTROL was even worse, notable only for a great theme song. The horror film CHEERLEADER CAMP wasn’t much better.

There were several TV roles, THE A-TEAM, MURDER SHE WROTE (making her the third actress in this series to appear on that show. Is that a black hole for an acting career?), and a few episodes of the HBO series 1ST AND TEN. There were a few small film roles (1992’s DELTA HEAT with Anthony Edwards being the biggest) but the parts got smaller and smaller. Until around 1995, she stopped making films altogether.

So, what happened to her?

In 1989, she married actor Vincent Van Patten, the son of Dick Van Patten. And, she retired from acting. She had two children with him.

That seems to be the theme for this series. If an actress disappears, it is normally to get married and raise a family.

She was recently divorced and became engaged to the movie producer responsible for the SAW franchise. According to reports, she has appeared in flashbacks in the most recent film (I haven’t seen any of them), and will have a more substantial role in the next.

The retirement may soon be over!

It is funny that someone, with so few film roles (and, let’s face it, most of the films aren’t very good) still has a following today. I guess you can say PRIVATE SCHOOL is what made her a star for life. She could have retired after that, and still be remembered.

EDIT: 10-27-07 Betsy Russell is indeed in SAW IV.


While I have yet to see the film, she appeared on EXTRA last night promoting it. It wasn't much of an interview, they only showed her for 5 seconds while the interviewer said how scary the film was. But, it was her. So, she has been found.

Welcome back, Betsy!

EDIT 6-26-08: There is a great interview with Betsy on the Gregory Mantell Show (her interview begins at the 10 minute mark)



In it, she confirms that she took time off to raise her kids, that they were a lot more fun than going to auditions.

And, she will be in SAW V. So, she is officially back.