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Rene Marie Russo (born February 17, 1954) is an American film actress, musician and former model. Russo was born in Burbank, California, the daughter of Shirley (née Balocca), a factory worker and barmaid, and Nino Russo, a sculptor and car mechanic who left the family when Rene was two. Her father and maternal grandfather were of Italian descent. Russo grew up with her sister, Toni, and their single mother. She attended Burroughs High School (where her classmates included director Ron Howard), but eventually dropped out in the tenth grade. To help her family, she began taking a variety... MORE

Rene Marie Russo (born February 17, 1954) is an American film actress, musician and former model. Russo was born in Burbank, California, the daughter of Shirley (née Balocca), a factory worker and barmaid, and Nino Russo, a sculptor and car mechanic who left the family when Rene was two. Her father and maternal grandfather were of Italian descent. Russo grew up with her sister, Toni, and their single mother. She attended Burroughs High School (where her classmates included director Ron Howard), but eventually dropped out in the tenth grade. To help her family, she began taking a variety of part-time jobs including working in an eyeglass factory, and as a movie cashier. In 1972, at age 18 when at a Rolling Stones concert Rene was discovered by John Crosby from International Creative Management. Crosby suggested to her that she should be a model. Rene was very shy and insecure at the time, but she took Crosby's advice anyway. She had pictures taken and sent to Ford Modeling Agency who were impressed with her photos and signed her up. Rene went on to appear in magazine covers for Vogue, Mademoiselle, and several covers of Cosmopolitan. She was featured in many ads for perfume and has LESS