“Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” star Jane Russell has died at the age of 89, according to various sources.Russell was known as the brunette Marilyn Monroe with whom she co-starred with in “Blondes”.

Russell was discovered by Howard Hughes and starred in his film “The Outlaws”, filmed in 1941. On the poster, she is shown with her top hanging over her shoulder, exposing not only her shoulder, but cleavage, something that was highly distasteful during the 1940s. In fact, the film was denied release because it violated the Hayes Office code of decency. A toned-down version of the film was finally released in 1943, but between that time, Russell’s name became known country-wide because of the long press tour she underwent to promote the film.

Russell’s big mainstream role was in 1946’s “The Widow”, and she would later star in “The Paleface” (alongside Bob Hope), “Macao” and “His Kind of Woman” (both co-starring Robert Mitchum)”The Las Vegas Story” (co-starring Vincent Price and Victor Mature), “Double Dynamite” (with Groucho Marx and Frank Sinatra) and “The Tall Men” (co-starring Robert Ryan and Clark Gable).

Russell also had a musical career, releasing albums “Let’s Put the Lights Out” and “Jane Russell”. She also recorded singles with Frank Sinatra and toured throughout the world with her nightclub act. She also formed a gospel group with Connie Haines and Beryl Davis.

Sources: IMDB, ScreenCrave