Career

Russell was chosen at the suggestion of Jay North, who starred in the role of Dennis, to play his nemesis playmate. She appeared in 31 of the series" 146 episodes over the four-year run of the show. Russell also appeared in other popular television shows of the era, including, The Deputy (1959), Assignment: Underwater (1961), Death Valley Days (1961), and The Dinah Shore Show.

Russell provided a singing voice in the 1961 Disney movie Babes in Toyland and made an uncredited appearance in the 1963 popular suspense horror film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, The Birds, in which she played a school child.

In 1993, she made a cameo appearance in the film version of Dennis the Menace playing one of the Mitchell"s neighbors. She has also done live theater and sound track work as well as performing as a singer.

In the 1990s, Russell was active on the national talk show and news feature circuit.