Rene Russo Then & Now: Photos Of The ‘Ransom’ Actress Through The Years

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February 17, 2022 12:20PM EST

Rene Russo is a model-turned-actress with a knack for action movies. Celebrate her Feb. 17 birthday with a look back at her life and career in photos.

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Rene Russo: Photos Of The Actress

Rene Russo: Photos Of The Actress
Randy Bauer/Shutterstock

A beauty to thrill for. Rene Russo is an Amerian model-turned-actress, born Feb. 17 1954 in Burbank, California. After covering magazines like Vogue and Cosmo, she made her on-screen debut in the 1989 comedy ‘Major League’. From there she became a fixture in 90s action and thriller films, apppearing in ‘Lethal Weapon 3’ (1992), ‘In the Line of Fire’ (1993), ‘Outbreak’ (1995), ‘Get Shorty’ (1995), ‘Ransom’ (1996), ‘Lethal Weapon 4’ (1998), and ‘The Thomas Crown Affair’ (1999).

After taking a brief break from acting in the mid-2000s, Rene came back with a vengeance as Thor’s mother Frigga in the Marvel Cinematic Universe appearing in ‘Thor’ (2011), ‘Thor: The Dark World’ (2013), and ‘Avengers: Endgame’ (2019). She earned large acclaim for her role in 2014’s ‘Nightcrawler’, winning a Saturn Award and earning a BAFTA. nomination.

Rene is radiant while pregnant during the premiere of ‘In The Line Of Fire’ in 1993. She is a mother of one.

Want to see more photos of Rene through the years? Click through the gallery.

February 16, 2022, 2:54PM
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Rene Russo At The Ralph Dominguez Collection

Rene Russo At The Ralph Dominguez Collection
Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch/Shutt

Glowing. Rene Russo is radiant at a showing of The Ralph Dominguez Collection.

February 16, 2022, 2:54PM
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Rene Russo At The Premiere Of ‘Velvet Buzzsaw’

Rene Russo At The Premiere Of ‘Velvet Buzzsaw’
Matt Baron/Shutterstock

Talk about buzz. Rene Russo looks chic in patent leather pants and a semi-sheer blouse during the premiere of ‘Velvet Buzzsaw’ on Jan. 28, 2019. She played gallery owner Rhodora Haze in the dark movie about the art world.

February 16, 2022, 2:54PM
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Rene Russo At The Premiere Of ‘Just Getting Started’

Rene Russo At The Premiere Of ‘Just Getting Started’
Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP/Shu

Rene Russo attends the LA rremiere of ‘Just Getting Started’ on Dec. 7, 2021. She wore a spotted scarf and leather pants with tousled blonde locks to the affair.

February 16, 2022, 2:54PM
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Rene Russo & Daughter Rose At The Premiere Of ‘Showtime’

Rene Russo & Daughter Rose At The Premiere Of ‘Showtime’
Lee Celano/AP/Shutterstock

Mommy and daughter day! Rene Russo smiles as she wraps an arm around 8-year-old daughter Rose at the premiere of her movie ‘Showtime’ in 2002. So cute.

February 16, 2022, 2:54PM
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Rene Russo At The Premiere Of ‘Ransom’

Rene Russo At The Premiere Of ‘Ransom’
Bei/Shutterstock

Curly girly! Rene Russo is chic with golden curls at the premiere of ‘Ransom’ in LA on Nov. 1, 1996. She wore an oh-so-90s pinstriped jacket to the event.

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Rene Russo In ‘Lethal Weapon 3’

Rene Russo In ‘Lethal Weapon 3’
Moviestore/Shutterstock

Action! Rene Russo walks through fire in 1992’s ‘Lethal Weapon 3’, where she played Detective Sergeant Lorna Cole. She reprised her role for ‘Lethal Weapon 4’.

February 16, 2022, 2:54PM
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Rene Russo At The 1999 American Fashion Awards

Rene Russo At The 1999 American Fashion Awards
Shutterstock

Rene Russo dazzles in a white rhinestone gown during the American Fashion Awards in 1999. So glam.

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Rene Russo & Dan Gilroy At The Premiere Of ‘The Devil’s Advocate’

Rene Russo & Dan Gilroy At The Premiere Of ‘The Devil’s Advocate’
Crollalanza/Shutterstock

Rene Russo is chic in an espresso-hued dress and chocolate brown smile during the premiere of ‘The Devil’s Advocate’ in LA in 1997. She brought husband Dan Gilroy, who she has been married to since 1992.

February 16, 2022, 2:54PM
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THIRD INAUGURAL GALA OF THE WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL, LOS ANGELES, AMERICA – 25 OCT 2003

THIRD INAUGURAL GALA OF THE WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL, LOS ANGELES, AMERICA – 25 OCT 2003
Alex Berliner/BEI/Shutterstock

RENE RUSSO
THIRD INAUGURAL GALA OF THE WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL, LOS ANGELES, AMERICA – 25 OCT 2003

February 17, 2023, 12:39PM
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‘Two For the Money’ film premiere, Los Angeles, America – 26 Sep 2005

‘Two For the Money’ film premiere, Los Angeles, America – 26 Sep 2005
Jim Smeal/BEI/Shutterstock

Rene Russo
‘Two For the Money’ film premiere, Los Angeles, America – 26 Sep 2005

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Premiere Warrior LA, Los Angeles, USA

Premiere Warrior LA, Los Angeles, USA
Matt Sayles/AP/Shutterstock

Rene Russo Actress Rene Russo arrives at the premiere of “Warrior” in Los Angeles, . “Warrior” opens in theaters Sept. 9, 2011
Premiere Warrior LA, Los Angeles, USA

February 17, 2023, 12:39PM
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Rene Russo out and about in New York, America – 29 Oct 2014

Rene Russo out and about in New York, America – 29 Oct 2014
Broadimage/Shutterstock

Rene Russo
Rene Russo out and about in New York, America – 29 Oct 2014
Rene Russo out and about in New York City

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87th Academy Awards, Oscars, Arrivals, Los Angeles, America – 22 Feb 2015

87th Academy Awards, Oscars, Arrivals, Los Angeles, America – 22 Feb 2015
David Fisher/Shutterstock

Rene Russo
87th Academy Awards, Oscars, Arrivals, Los Angeles, America – 22 Feb 2015

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‘Velvet Buzzsaw’ film premiere, Arrivals, The Egyptian Theatre, Los Angeles, USA – 28 Jan 2019

‘Velvet Buzzsaw’ film premiere, Arrivals, The Egyptian Theatre, Los Angeles, USA – 28 Jan 2019
MediaPunch/Shutterstock

Rene Russo
‘Velvet Buzzsaw’ film premiere, Arrivals, The Egyptian Theatre, Los Angeles, USA – 28 Jan 2019

February 17, 2023, 12:39PM