(1851-1922)
Born Helen Louise Leonard in Clinton, Iowa, the beautiful actress-singer began her New York stage career as Nellie Leonard, but made her debut as Lillian Russell at Tony Pastor's Theatre in 1881. Although most of her career was in vaudeville and musicals, she did play some legitimate comedy roles during a period of vocal recuperation. These included Barbara's Millions (1906), The Butterfly (1906), Wildfire (1907), and In Search of a Sinner (1910). Known popularly as "the American Beauty," Russell used her celebrity to further the cause of woman suffrage and to promote physical fitness.
The Historical Dictionary of the American Theater. James Fisher.