SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA (BNO NEWS) -- Legendary actress Jane Russell on Monday died at the age of 89, her family said.

Russell was born in Bemidji, Minnesota in 1921 and became one of Hollywood's sex symbols in the 1940s and 50s. She made her motion picture debut in 1943's 'The Outlaw,' and later starred in several films including 1953's 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' in which she appeared alongside Marilyn Monroe.

Russell also appeared in popular films such as 'The Paleface' (1948), alongside Bob Hope and the comedy 'Double Dynamite' (1951), alongside Frank Sinatra and Groucho Marx.

Russell had recently fell ill and died with her family in her Santa Maria, California home. Funeral ceremonies will be held on Saturday afternoon March 12 in Pacific Christian Church.

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