Keri Russell Bio
Keri Lynn Russell (born March 23, 1976) is an American actress known for her roles in television and film. She gained prominence with her lead role in the drama series Felicity, winning a Golden Globe Award. Russell has since appeared in notable films including We Were Soldiers and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, and has starred in the acclaimed series The Americans. She is also known for her recent role in The Diplomat, showcasing her talent in both drama and comedy throughout her career.
Early Life and Background
Keri Russell was born on March 23, 1976, in Fountain Valley, California, to Stephanie Stephens, a homemaker, and David Russell, a Nissan Motors executive. She has an older brother and a younger sister. The family lived in Coppell, Texas; Mesa, Arizona; and Highlands Ranch, Colorado, moving frequently due to her father’s work. Russell was a dancer in middle school and high school, which helped her get cast on The All New Mickey Mouse Club television show on the Disney Channel, where she was a regular cast member from 1991 to 1994.
Path to Hollywood
Russell made her first film appearance in Honey, I Blew Up the Kid (1992). She also had a minor role on the sitcom Boy Meets World and appeared on Married… with Children in a 1995 episode. In 1998, Russell starred as the title character on the successful WB Network series Felicity, which ran until 2002. Her performance in Felicity earned her a Golden Globe Award in 1999, marking a significant milestone in her career. During the show’s run, she also appeared in films such as Eight Days a Week and We Were Soldiers, further establishing her presence in the entertainment industry.
Keri Russell Career
Early Career (1991–2002)
After her time on Felicity, Russell moved to New York City and made her off-Broadway stage debut in 2004 in Neil LaBute’s Fat Pig. She returned to television and film with roles in The Magic of Ordinary Days and The Upside of Anger. In 2005, she was cast in Mission: Impossible III by director J.J. Abrams. Russell’s performance in Waitress (2007) was particularly well-received, where she played a pregnant woman, a role she had portrayed multiple times in her career. She also starred in films like August Rush and Extraordinary Measures.
Breakthrough (2013–present)
From 2013 to 2018, Russell starred in the FX drama series The Americans, playing Elizabeth Jennings, a deep-undercover Russian KGB spy. Her performance earned her three consecutive Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. In 2014, she starred in the science fiction action film Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, and in 2019, she appeared in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, reuniting with J.J. Abrams. In 2023, Russell began starring in The Diplomat, a political series on Netflix.
Notable Works and Milestones
Keri Russell’s signature work includes her role in Felicity, which won her a Golden Globe Award. She has also received critical acclaim for her performances in The Americans and The Diplomat, showcasing her versatility as an actress.
Keri Russell Award Nominations
Keri Russell has received multiple nominations throughout her career, including seven nominations for the Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series and five Primetime Emmy Award nominations for her work in The Americans and The Diplomat.
Keri Russell Awards Won
Keri Russell won a Golden Globe Award in 1999 for her performance in Felicity, marking a significant achievement in her career. In 2017, she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contributions to television.
Keri Russell Family
Keri Russell was married to Shane Deary from 2007 until their divorce in 2014. They have two children together, a son born in 2007 and a daughter born in 2011. Since 2014, she has been in a relationship with Welsh actor Matthew Rhys, her co-star in The Americans, and they have a son born in 2016.
Personal Life
Keri Russell’s personal life includes her marriage to Shane Deary and her current relationship with Matthew Rhys. They have referred to each other as husband and wife in interviews, although they have not formally married. Russell’s family life is an important aspect of her identity, balancing her career with motherhood.
