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Alice B. Russell
Betrayal lobby card 5.JPG
Alice B. Russell (at left) in The Betrayal (1948)
Born
Alice Burton Russell

(1889-06-30)June 30, 1889
Died (1985-01-01)January 1, 1985 (aged 96)
Other names A. Burton Russell
Years active 1927-1948

Alice Burton Russell (born June 30, 1889 – died January 1, 1985) was an important African-American actress and film producer. She was also the wife of famous director Oscar Micheaux. Alice Russell appeared in many movies that her husband directed.

Alice B. Russell's Life Story

Early Life and Family

Alice Burton Russell was born in 1889 in a town called Maxton, North Carolina. Her parents were M. J. Russell and Robert Russell. Her father, Robert Russell, was a well-known newspaper editor, publisher, and even a politician.

Marriage and Career Beginnings

Alice Russell married Oscar Micheaux on March 20, 1926. Their wedding took place in Montclair, New Jersey.

She started her acting career in silent films. These were movies without spoken dialogue, where actors used expressions and actions. Her first film was her husband's movie, The Broken Violin, made in 1928.

Acting and Producing Films

Even when "talkies" (movies with sound) became popular, Alice Russell continued to act. She was often credited as A. Burton Russell in movie titles.

Beyond acting, she also became a film producer in the 1930s. She helped create three of her husband's films. She also worked behind the scenes on two other movies.

Later Life and Legacy

Alice Russell lived a very long life, almost reaching 100 years old. She passed away on January 1, 1985, in New Rochelle, New York.

She was buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Rye, New York. For a while, her grave didn't have a marker. But now, a special stone honors her amazing work in the movie industry.

Alice B. Russell's Film Work

Alice B. Russell had a busy career in movies, both in front of and behind the camera.

As an Actress

She acted in many films, often playing strong characters. Some of her notable acting roles include:

  • The Broken Violin (1928)
  • Easy Street (1930)
  • The Girl from Chicago (1932)
  • Murder in Harlem (1935)
  • God's Step Children (1938)
  • The Betrayal (1948)

As a Producer

Alice Russell was also a producer, helping to bring stories to the screen. She produced these films:

  • Darktown Revue (1931)
  • Murder in Harlem (1935)
  • Birthright (1939)

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See Also

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