10 Forgotten Horror Movie Scream Queens

9. Betsy Russell

Bette Davis Whatever Happened To Baby Jane 1962
Lionsgate

Betsy Russell was well on her way to becoming an eighties teen idol with roles in films like Private School, Avenging Angel and Tomboy. However by taking on the lead in 1989's slasher cheese-fest Cheerleader Camp, she began a path to becoming a very different kind of icon.

Russell would make another genre appearance in 1991's schlocky and confused Camp Fear. Following this her acting career quieted as she concentrated on raising her children.

It was Russell's engagement to Saw franchise producer Mark Burg that saw her career roar back to life. Sensing a fun tie-in to her early genre days, Burg cast Russell in a brief cameo role as Jigsaw's wife Jill in 2006's Saw III.

Although their engagement didn't last, Russell found herself given plum roles in the following 4 sequels as her character expanded. Here she exhibited an emotional rawness and a calculating villainous way that quickly made Jill Tuck a fan favorite.

Outside of the franchise, Russell accepted roles in other genre projects, including 2010's Chain Letter and 2014's My Trip Back From the Darkside. This brings her horror film tally to an impressive 8.

Although Betsy appears to have stepped away from the genre for the time being, preferring to concentrate on being a Life Coach, we do hope she can be lured back to add to her impressive repertoire.

Contributor
Contributor

Hi! The first thing you should know about me is that I'm a HUGE horror movie nut. A confirmed addict to the WhatCulture Horror YouTube channel I thought I'd try my luck on their writing team. I'm a wannabe author with one completed manuscript submitted to a few agents. Please cross your fingers for me! I am currently working on my second book. If you wanna talk horror or need any movie recommendations, I'm your man! Give me a follow on Instagram... since there doesn't seem to be a section for that in the "socials" tab @that_horror_nerd