Taylor Russell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Taylor Russell
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Russell in 2024
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Taylor Russell McKenzie
July 18, 1994 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2012–present |
Taylor Russell McKenzie, born on July 18, 1994, is a talented Canadian actress and filmmaker. She became well-known for her roles in exciting movies and TV shows. Taylor first gained attention in the Netflix science fiction series Lost in Space. She also starred in the drama film Waves and the thrilling horror movie Escape Room, along with its sequel.
In 2022, Taylor won a special award called the Marcello Mastroianni Award for her role in the film Bones and All. She has also performed on stage in the play The Effect. Besides acting, Taylor helped direct a short documentary film in 2020 called The Heart Still Hums. This film later inspired another movie called Earth Mama.
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Early Life and Dreams
Taylor Russell McKenzie was born in a small community called Deep Cove, North Vancouver, near Vancouver, British Columbia. She grew up in different cities in Canada, including Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal. Taylor has two brothers, one older and one younger. Her mother is white, and her father is Black, with roots in Jamaica.
Taylor's family moved many times, about sixteen times in total, because of her father's work. This meant she often had to start fresh in new places. Taylor started working when she was just 13 years old. Growing up, she sometimes felt like she didn't fit in because of her skin color.
Discovering Her Path
As a child, Taylor loved art. She dreamed of becoming a ballet dancer or a painter. When she was twelve, she learned to play the bass guitar. At eighteen, Taylor took her first acting class and instantly knew she wanted to be an actress.
She saved money from her jobs to buy a car. She would drive to Los Angeles for auditions. When her money ran out, she would go back home to work and save up again. Taylor worked in restaurants, a jewelry store, and even a butcher's shop. She kept this routine for four years until she got her first big TV role.
Taylor's Acting Journey
Taylor Russell started her acting career in 2012. Her first small role was in a TV show called Emily Owens, M.D.. In 2014, she appeared in two TV films: The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story and Pants on Fire.
Early TV and Film Roles
Taylor made guest appearances in several TV series. These included Strange Empire in 2015, Falling Skies in 2015, and Dead of Summer in 2016. She also acted in the teen drama film Before I Fall (2017) and the horror film Down a Dark Hall (2018).
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Breaking Through with Lost in Space
In 2018, Taylor became widely known for her main role as Judy Robinson in Lost in Space. This Netflix series was a new version of a classic 1965 show. Taylor received great reviews for her performance. She was even nominated for an award for Best Supporting Actress.
Essence magazine praised her, saying she was "impressive in her role as a genius medic and doctor." The show finished in December 2021 after three seasons. Taylor felt proud to represent Black women in a science fiction series. She said it held a "really big place in her heart."
Success in Movies
In 2019, Taylor had a big breakthrough in films. She starred as Zoey Davis in the horror film Escape Room. This movie was a huge success, earning over $155 million worldwide.
Also in 2019, Taylor received high praise for her role in the drama film Waves. The IndieWire website called her performance a "revelation." The Los Angeles Times said she and her co-star were "two of the fastest-rising stars of their generation." For her work in Waves, Taylor won the Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Performer.
Recent Projects
Taylor starred in the romantic drama Words on Bathroom Walls in 2020. She also co-directed and produced the short documentary The Heart Still Hums. This film won an award at the Palm Springs International ShortFest.
In 2021, Taylor appeared in the comedy-drama Dr. Bird's Advice for Sad Poets. She also returned as Zoey Davis in the Escape Room sequel, Escape Room: Tournament of Champions. In 2022, Taylor starred with Timothée Chalamet in the romance horror film Bones and All. This movie premiered at the 79th Venice Film Festival and received excellent reviews. Taylor's performance earned her the Marcello Mastroianni Award.
In 2023, Taylor began performing in the play The Effect in London. The play later moved to New York City in March 2024. She was nominated for awards for her role in the play. Taylor also starred in the comedy film Mother, Couch in 2023. She is also set to appear in an upcoming thriller called Hope. In July 2024, she was chosen to be on a jury panel at the 81st Venice Film Festival.
Personal Life
Taylor Russell divides her time between New York and London. She is a big fan of the musician Patti Smith. Taylor even has a small lightning bolt tattoo on her wrist, just like one Patti Smith has. She considers Smith one of her heroes.
Taylor is trained in ballet and dances for 15 minutes every morning. Her favorite book is By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept. From June 2023 to May 2024, Taylor dated English singer Harry Styles.
Images for kids
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Russell in 2024
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Russell at the 2018 WonderCon
See also
In Spanish: Taylor Russell para niños
