Russ Tamblyn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Russ Tamblyn
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Tamblyn in 2010
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Russell Irving Tamblyn
December 30, 1934 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Years active | 1948–present |
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| Children | 2, including Amber Tamblyn |
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| Relatives | David Cross (son-in-law) Larry Tamblyn (brother) |
Russell Irving Tamblyn (born December 30, 1934), also known as Rusty Tamblyn, is an American actor and dancer famous for his energetic performances in classic Hollywood movies. He is best known for playing Riff, the leader of the Jets gang, in the musical West Side Story (1961).
Growing up in Los Angeles, Tamblyn was a talented gymnast. He started his career as a child actor for the famous Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) studio. He showed off his amazing acrobatic skills in the musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954). For his role in the drama Peyton Place (1957), he was nominated for an Academy Award.
Later in his career, Tamblyn became known to a new generation of fans as Dr. Lawrence Jacoby in the popular television show Twin Peaks. He returned to play the same character in the show's 2017 revival.
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Early Life
Russ Tamblyn was born on December 30, 1934, in Los Angeles, California. His parents, Sally Aileen and Edward "Eddie" Tamblyn, were also actors. His younger brother, Larry Tamblyn, was a musician in the 1960s rock band the Standells.
As a child, Tamblyn was very energetic and loved gymnastics and performing. He would often do tumbling routines on stage at the local movie theater during intermissions. By age 13, he was studying acting and dancing at an academy run by his parents.
Career
Child Actor at MGM
Tamblyn's first professional acting job was in a play at age ten. A talent agent saw him and signed him. Soon after, he got a small part in the movie The Boy with Green Hair (1948). This led to a role as the young Saul in the big-budget film Samson and Delilah (1949), which he called his "first big break."
He then appeared in several films, including Gun Crazy (1950) and as Elizabeth Taylor's younger brother in Father of the Bride (1950) and its sequel. His talent impressed the movie studio MGM, which signed him to a long-term contract.
Hollywood Stardom
Tamblyn's gymnastics skills helped him get his breakout role as Gideon in the musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954). Even though he wasn't a professionally trained dancer, his acrobatic moves made him a star. The movie was a huge success and made him famous.
He continued to appear in MGM films, including the Western The Fastest Gun Alive (1956), where he performed a memorable dance using a shovel. His performance as Norman Page in Peyton Place (1957) earned him a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Following this success, he starred in the musical Tom Thumb (1958) and the teen movie High School Confidential (1958).
West Side Story and Beyond
In 1961, Tamblyn landed his most iconic role as Riff, the tough but graceful leader of the Jets, in the classic musical West Side Story. His performance is still celebrated today.
After West Side Story, he appeared in big adventure films like The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm (1962) and How the West Was Won (1962). He also played a key role in the spooky horror film The Haunting (1963).
During the 1970s, Tamblyn acted in many independent films and also worked as a choreographer.
Return to the Spotlight with Twin Peaks
In 1990, Tamblyn was cast as the quirky psychiatrist Dr. Lawrence Jacoby in David Lynch's mysterious TV series Twin Peaks. The role introduced him to a whole new audience. He worked alongside his West Side Story co-star, Richard Beymer. He returned to play Dr. Jacoby again when the show was brought back in 2017.
Throughout his career, Tamblyn has worked with his daughter, actress Amber Tamblyn. They have appeared together in several movies and TV shows, including Joan of Arcadia. In the film Django Unchained (2012), they were playfully credited as "Son of a Gunfighter" and "Daughter of a Son of a Gunfighter," a nod to one of Tamblyn's old Westerns.
Personal Life
Tamblyn has been married three times. He was married to actress Venetia Stevenson from 1956 to 1957, and then to Elizabeth Kempton from 1960 to 1979. He married his third wife, Bonnie Murray, in 1981.
He has two children. His daughter, Amber Tamblyn, born in 1983, is a well-known actress and author. He is also the father of China Faye Tamblyn, an artist.
In 2012, Tamblyn announced he was writing his life story. The book, titled Dancing On The Edge, was published in 2024. In 2014, he had open-heart surgery and has since recovered.
Selected Filmography
- Samson and Delilah (1949)
- Father of the Bride (1950)
- Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)
- The Fastest Gun Alive (1956)
- Peyton Place (1957)
- Tom Thumb (1958)
- High School Confidential! (1958)
- West Side Story (1961)
- The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm (1962)
- How the West Was Won (1962)
- The Haunting (1963)
- Twin Peaks (1990–1991, TV Series)
- Drive (2011)
- Django Unchained (2012)
- Twin Peaks (2017, TV Series)
Awards and Nominations
| Award | Category | Year | Title of work | Result |
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| Academy Award | Best Actor in a Supporting Role | 1957 | Peyton Place | Nominated |
| Golden Globe Award | Most Promising Newcomer - Male | 1956 | Hit the Deck | Won (shared with Ray Danton) |
| Golden Laurel Award | Top Male Musical Performance | 1959 | Tom Thumb | Nominated |
Images for kids
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Tamblyn at the 1990 Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
See also
In Spanish: Russ Tamblyn para niños
