Keri Russell: The Talented Star Of Film And Television

Blanca Harris 22 Jun 2025

Who is Keri Russell?

Keri Russell is an American actress, dancer, and singer. She is best known for her roles as Felicity Porter on the WB drama series Felicity (19982002), KGB officer Elizabeth Jennings on the FX spy drama series The Americans (20132018), and Zorran in the Star Wars sequel trilogy films The Force Awakens (2015), The Last Jedi (2017), and The Rise of Skywalker (2019).

Russell has received numerous accolades for her work, including a Golden Globe Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. She was also nominated for three BAFTA Awards and a Critics' Choice Award.

Birth Name	Keri Lynn Russell
Birth Date	March 23, 1976
Birth Place	Fountain Valley, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actress, dancer, singer
Years active	1991present
Spouse(s)	Shane Deary (m. 20072014), Matthew Rhys (m. 2014present)
Children	3

Keri Russell's Early Life and Career

Keri Russell was born in Fountain Valley, California, on March 23, 1976. She began acting as a child, appearing in television commercials and guest roles on television shows. In 1998, she landed her breakout role as Felicity Porter on the WB drama series Felicity. The show was a critical and commercial success, and Russell received a Golden Globe Award for her performance.

After Felicity ended in 2002, Russell continued to appear in film and television roles. She starred in the films Mission: Impossible III (2006), Waitress (2007), and August Rush (2007). She also had recurring roles on the television shows Scrubs (20042005) and Party Down (20092010).

Keri Russell's Breakthrough Role

In 2013, Russell starred in the FX spy drama series The Americans. She played Elizabeth Jennings, a KGB officer who goes undercover as an American housewife in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. The show was a critical and commercial success, and Russell received two Primetime Emmy Awards for her performance.

The Americans ended in 2018, and Russell has since starred in the films Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017), and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019). She also had a recurring role on the television show The Morning Show (20192021).

Keri Russell's Personal Life

Keri Russell married Shane Deary in 2007. They had two children together before divorcing in 2014. In 2014, she began dating her The Americans co-star Matthew Rhys. They had one child together and married in 2021.

Keri Russell

Keri Russell is an American actress, dancer, and singer. She is best known for her roles as Felicity Porter on the WB drama series Felicity, KGB officer Elizabeth Jennings on the FX spy drama series The Americans, and Zorran in the Star Wars sequel trilogy films.

Award-winning actress
Star of Felicity and The Americans
Appeared in numerous films and television shows
Versatile performer
Dancer and singer
Married to Matthew Rhys
Mother of three children
Philanthropist

Keri Russell is a talented and accomplished actress who has starred in a wide range of films and television shows. She is best known for her roles as Felicity Porter on the WB drama series Felicity and KGB officer Elizabeth Jennings on the FX spy drama series The Americans. Russell has received numerous awards for her work, including a Golden Globe Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. She is also a dancer and singer, and she has appeared in several stage productions.

Birth Name	Keri Lynn Russell
Birth Date	March 23, 1976
Birth Place	Fountain Valley, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actress, dancer, singer
Years active	1991present
Spouse(s)	Shane Deary (m. 20072014), Matthew Rhys (m. 2014present)
Children	3

Award-winning actress

Keri Russell is an award-winning actress who has received numerous accolades for her work, including a Golden Globe Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. She is best known for her roles as Felicity Porter on the WB drama series Felicity and KGB officer Elizabeth Jennings on the FX spy drama series The Americans.

Critical acclaim
Keri Russell has received critical acclaim for her performances in both film and television. She has been praised for her versatility, her ability to inhabit complex characters, and her emotional depth. Her work has been recognized by a variety of organizations, including the Golden Globes, the Primetime Emmys, and the Screen Actors Guild.
Popular success
In addition to critical acclaim, Keri Russell has also achieved popular success. Her television shows, Felicity and The Americans, were both critical and commercial hits. She has also starred in a number of successful films, including Mission: Impossible III, Waitress, and August Rush.
Versatility
Keri Russell is a versatile actress who has played a wide range of roles, from the bubbly and optimistic Felicity Porter to the complex and conflicted Elizabeth Jennings. She has also appeared in a variety of genres, including comedy, drama, and action. Her versatility is a testament to her talent and her ability to connect with audiences of all ages.
Inspiration
Keri Russell is an inspiration to many aspiring actors. Her success is a reminder that it is possible to achieve both critical and commercial success in the entertainment industry. She is also a role model for women, showing that it is possible to have a successful career and a family.

Keri Russell is a talented and accomplished actress who has made a significant contribution to the entertainment industry. She is an award-winning actress who has starred in a wide range of films and television shows. She is also a versatile performer who is able to inhabit complex characters and connect with audiences of all ages.

Star of Felicity and The Americans

Keri Russell is best known for her roles as Felicity Porter on the WB drama series Felicity and KGB officer Elizabeth Jennings on the FX spy drama series The Americans. These two roles have had a significant impact on her career and have helped to make her one of the most popular and respected actresses working today.

Felicity was a coming-of-age drama that followed the lives of a group of college students in New York City. Russell played the title role of Felicity Porter, a young woman from California who moves to New York to attend college. The show was a critical and commercial success, and Russell received a Golden Globe Award for her performance.

The Americans is a spy drama that follows the lives of Elizabeth and Philip Jennings, two KGB officers who are posing as an American couple in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. Russell plays Elizabeth Jennings, a complex and conflicted character who is torn between her loyalty to her country and her love for her family. The show was a critical and commercial success, and Russell received two Primetime Emmy Awards for her performance.

Russell's roles in Felicity and The Americans have showcased her versatility as an actress. She has played a wide range of characters, from the bubbly and optimistic Felicity Porter to the complex and conflicted Elizabeth Jennings. Her performances have been praised by critics and audiences alike, and she is considered one of the most talented actresses of her generation.

Russell's success in Felicity and The Americans has also had a positive impact on her career. She has starred in a number of other successful films and television shows, including Mission: Impossible III, Waitress, and August Rush. She is also a successful stage actress, having appeared in productions of The Glass Menagerie and Burn This.

Russell's success is a testament to her talent, hard work, and dedication. She is a versatile actress who is able to inhabit complex characters and connect with audiences of all ages. She is also a role model for women, showing that it is possible to have a successful career and a family.

Appeared in numerous films and television shows

Keri Russell has appeared in numerous films and television shows throughout her career. Her filmography includes a wide range of genres, from blockbuster action films to independent dramas. She has also starred in several successful television series, including the critically acclaimed Felicity and The Americans.

Film roles
Russell has starred in a number of successful films, including Mission: Impossible III, Waitress, and August Rush. Her film roles have showcased her versatility as an actress, and she has played a wide range of characters, from action heroes to romantic leads.
Television roles
Russell has also starred in several successful television series, including Felicity, The Americans, and The Morning Show. Her television roles have earned her critical acclaim and numerous awards, including a Golden Globe Award and two Primetime Emmy Awards.
Range of genres
Russell's filmography includes a wide range of genres, from blockbuster action films to independent dramas. She has also starred in several television series, including comedies, dramas, and spy thrillers. Her range of genres showcases her versatility as an actress and her ability to connect with audiences of all ages.
Critical and commercial success
Russell has achieved both critical and commercial success throughout her career. Her films and television shows have been well-received by critics and audiences alike. She has also received numerous awards for her work, including a Golden Globe Award and two Primetime Emmy Awards.

Keri Russell's extensive filmography is a testament to her talent, hard work, and dedication. She is a versatile actress who is able to inhabit complex characters and connect with audiences of all ages. Her success in both film and television has made her one of the most popular and respected actresses working today.

Versatile performer

Keri Russell is a versatile performer who is able to inhabit complex characters and connect with audiences of all ages. She has played a wide range of roles, from the bubbly and optimistic Felicity Porter to the complex and conflicted Elizabeth Jennings. Her versatility is a testament to her talent and her ability to transform herself into different characters.

One of the most striking examples of Russell's versatility is her performance in the FX spy drama series The Americans. Russell plays Elizabeth Jennings, a KGB officer who is posing as an American housewife in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. Elizabeth is a complex and conflicted character, and Russell is able to capture her inner turmoil and her struggle to balance her loyalty to her country with her love for her family. Russell's performance in The Americans earned her two Primetime Emmy Awards.

Russell's versatility is not limited to television. She has also starred in a number of successful films, including Mission: Impossible III, Waitress, and August Rush. In each of these films, Russell plays a different type of character, and she is able to bring each character to life with her unique blend of talent and charisma.

Russell's versatility is a valuable asset to the entertainment industry. She is an actress who is able to play a wide range of roles, and she is always able to deliver a believable and emotionally resonant performance. Her versatility is a testament to her talent and her dedication to her craft.

Dancer and singer

Keri Russell is not only an accomplished actress, but also a talented dancer and singer. She began dancing at a young age, and she has studied ballet, jazz, and modern dance. She has also performed in several stage productions, including The Glass Menagerie and Burn This.

Russell's dance training has been a valuable asset to her acting career. It has given her the physicality and grace that she needs to play a wide range of roles. For example, in the film Mission: Impossible III, she performed her own stunts, which included running, jumping, and fighting. Her dance training also helped her to play the role of a ballerina in the film The Black Swan.

In addition to her dancing, Russell is also a talented singer. She has sung in several films and television shows, including Felicity, The Americans, and The Morning Show. Her singing voice is clear and expressive, and she has a natural ability to connect with her audience.

Russell's talents as a dancer and singer have made her a more versatile and well-rounded performer. She is able to bring a unique physicality and emotional depth to her roles. Her talents have also allowed her to take on a wider range of roles, from action heroes to romantic leads.

Married to Matthew Rhys

Keri Russell has been married to Welsh actor Matthew Rhys since 2014. The couple met on the set of the FX spy drama series The Americans, in which they played husband and wife. They have one child together, a son named Sam.

Family life
Russell and Rhys are both private people, but they have occasionally spoken about their family life in interviews. In a 2018 interview with The New York Times, Russell said, "We're just trying to raise a good kid and be good parents." Rhys has also said that he enjoys spending time with his family, and that he is grateful for the support of his wife.
Professional collaboration
In addition to their personal relationship, Russell and Rhys have also collaborated professionally on several projects. In 2016, they starred together in the film The Last Tycoon. They also both appeared in the 2018 film Operation Finale. Russell has said that she enjoys working with her husband, and that she values his input on her work.
Public perception
Russell and Rhys are considered to be one of the most successful and stable couples in Hollywood. They are often photographed together at red carpet events, and they have been featured in several magazine articles about their relationship. Their marriage is seen as a positive example of a long-lasting and successful relationship in the entertainment industry.
Impact on Russell's career
Russell has said that her marriage to Rhys has had a positive impact on her career. She has said that he is her biggest supporter, and that he always encourages her to pursue her dreams. Russell has also said that she is grateful for the stability that her marriage provides, and that it allows her to focus on her work.

Russell and Rhys's marriage is a testament to their love and commitment to each other. They are a successful and stable couple, and they are both talented actors who have achieved great success in their careers.

Mother of three children

Keri Russell is a mother of three children. She has two children with her ex-husband, Shane Deary, and one child with her current husband, Matthew Rhys. Russell has spoken about the challenges and rewards of motherhood in several interviews. She has said that she loves being a mother and that it is the most important thing in her life.

Balancing work and family
Russell has said that balancing work and family can be challenging, but that she is grateful for the support of her family and friends. She has also said that she is fortunate to have a career that allows her to spend time with her children.
The importance of family
Russell has said that family is the most important thing in her life. She has said that she loves spending time with her children and that she is grateful for the love and support of her family.
The challenges of motherhood
Russell has also spoken about the challenges of motherhood. She has said that it can be difficult to juggle work and family, and that she sometimes feels guilty about not being able to spend more time with her children. However, she has also said that she loves being a mother and that it is the most rewarding experience in her life.
The rewards of motherhood
Russell has said that the rewards of motherhood are far greater than the challenges. She has said that she loves watching her children grow and learn, and that she is grateful for the love and joy that they bring into her life.

Russell's experience as a mother has had a positive impact on her career. She has said that it has made her more compassionate and understanding, and that it has given her a new perspective on life. Russell is a role model for working mothers, and she shows that it is possible to have a successful career and a happy family life.

Philanthropist

Keri Russell is not only a talented actress, dancer, and singer, but also a generous and compassionate philanthropist. She has supported numerous charities and causes throughout her career, and she is known for her dedication to helping others.

Support for children's charities
Russell is a strong supporter of children's charities. She has worked with several organizations that provide support to children in need, including the Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the Starlight Children's Foundation. Russell has also donated her time and resources to help raise awareness for these organizations and their missions.
Advocacy for environmental causes
Russell is also an advocate for environmental causes. She is a supporter of the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Sierra Club. Russell has also spoken out against climate change and the importance of protecting the environment for future generations.
Support for the arts
Russell is a supporter of the arts. She is a member of the board of directors of the American Theatre Wing, and she has also donated her time and resources to help support young artists.
Work with refugees
Russell has also worked with refugees. She is a supporter of the International Rescue Committee, and she has donated her time and resources to help provide support to refugees around the world.

Russell's philanthropic work is a testament to her compassion and her commitment to making a difference in the world. She is a role model for others, and she shows that it is possible to use one's platform to help others.

FAQs about Keri Russell

Question 1: What is Keri Russell's most famous role?

Keri Russell is best known for her roles as Felicity Porter on the WB drama series Felicity and KGB officer Elizabeth Jennings on the FX spy drama series The Americans.

Question 2: What awards has Keri Russell won?

Keri Russell has won a Golden Globe Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Keri Russell is a talented and accomplished actress who has starred in a wide range of films and television shows. She is best known for her roles as Felicity Porter on the WB drama series Felicity and KGB officer Elizabeth Jennings on the FX spy drama series The Americans. Russell has won numerous awards for her work, including a Golden Globe Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Conclusion on Keri Russell

Keri Russell is a talented and accomplished actress who has made a significant contribution to the entertainment industry. She is best known for her roles as Felicity Porter on the WB drama series Felicity and KGB officer Elizabeth Jennings on the FX spy drama series The Americans. Russell has won numerous awards for her work, including a Golden Globe Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Russell's success is a testament to her talent, hard work, and dedication. She is a versatile actress who is able to inhabit complex characters and connect with audiences of all ages. Her success in both film and television has made her one of the most popular and respected actresses working today.

Russell is also a role model for women, showing that it is possible to have a successful career and a family. She is a philanthropist who supports a variety of charities and causes. Russell is a talented and accomplished actress who is making a positive impact on the world.

Keri Russell summary Film Actresses

Keri Russell 'The Americans' Press Conference in NYC 2/12/ 2017

Keri Russell Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills 01/08/ 2017

Festival Celebrity Sightings