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Theresa Russell

Theresa Russell

Actor · Born March 20, 1957 (69) · San Diego, California, USA

Theresa Russell (born Theresa Lynn Paup; March 20, 1957) is an American actress. Russell made her film debut in The Last Tycoon (1976), followed by a lead role in Straight Time (1978). She was then cast in Nicolas Roeg's controversial thriller Bad Timing (1980), which earned her critical praise. After marrying Roeg in 1982, she appeared in many films directed by him, mainly arthouse and experimental films, including Eureka (1983), Insignificance (1985), and Cold Heaven (1991). Russell starred in Whore and Kafka, both released in 1991. Russell appeared in the box-office hit thriller Wild Things (1998), starred in the critically acclaimed drama The Believer (2001) and, in the later 2000s, appeared in HBO miniseries Empire Falls (2005) and had a minor role in Spider-Man 3 (2007). Description above from the Wikipedia article Theresa Russell, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
March 20, 1957 (69)
From
San Diego, California, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
38 on MovieCove · 61 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Down 44% in 30 days

What are Theresa Russell's films like?

Across their 33 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Morality.

Genres

Drama11 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 55th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Crime7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 33rd percentile
: browse their Crime movies
Comedy5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 45th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Thriller3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 7th percentile
: browse their Thriller movies
Documentary2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 82nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
25%
Morality
19%
Survival
15%
Bonds
12%
Society
12%
Power
11%
Ideas
5%
Identity8 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival7 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice5 titles, browse their movies with this themeObsession5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this themeOppression4 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception4 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 32 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 6 · Serious 12 · Dark 14

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 19 · Stylized 7 · Heightened 6

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 4 · Charged 15 · Intense 13

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 13 · Shifting 14 · Whiplash 5

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 27 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 1

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 20 · Even-paced 12 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 12 · Engaged 12 · Full focus 8

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

Easy watch 10 · Affecting 13 · Heavy 9

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 18 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 10

Roles they play

19 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 5 of 19 analyzed roles.

Hero
5 of 19
Ally
4 of 19
Mentor
3 of 19
Herald
2 of 19
Trickster
2 of 19
Shadow
2 of 19
Shapeshifter
1 of 19
Show the 19 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
23
Melancholic
17
Dread
10
Contemplative
9
Romantic
7
Other
21

How their films linger

Thought-provoking13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy6
  • Bittersweet14
  • Tragic6
  • Ambiguous7

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Theresa Russell's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 23 of their 38 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (13).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Theresa Russell's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

61 credits, 38 with a MovieCove page; 9 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • A Winter Rose(2014)

    as Rachal Love

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Moving Mountains(2014)

    as Trish Bragg

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Delete(2013)

    Show 2 episodes · as Fiona

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all shows

  • Liz & Dick(2012)

    as Sara Taylor

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • The Legends of Nethiah (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Nethiah's Mother

  • 1 Out of 7 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Lexi's Mom

  • Rid of Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Mrs. Lockwood

  • Born to Ride(2011)

    as Frances Callahan

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Jolene(2008)

    as Aunt Kay

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • 16 to Life(2009)

    as Louise

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Fringe(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Rebecca Kibner

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Chinaman's Chance: America's Other Slaves(2008)

    as Mrs. Williams

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Dark World(2008)

    as Nicole

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • On the Doll(2007)

    as Diane

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Spider-Man 3(2007)

    as Emma Marko

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • American Heiress (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 22 episodes · as Jordan Wakefield

  • Empire Falls(2005)

    Show 2 episodes · as Charlene

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • Blind Injustice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Joanna Bartlett

  • Cold Case (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Rachel Malone (2010)

  • Passionada(2002)

    as Lois Vargas

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • The Box (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Dora Baker

  • Love Comes Softly(2003)

    as Sarah Graham

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Water Under the Bridge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Jackie O'Connor

  • Now & Forever (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Dori Wilson

  • Project Viper (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Dr. Nancy Burnham

  • The House Next Door(2002)

    as Helen Schmidt

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Glory Days (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 9 episodes · as Hazel Walker

  • Earth vs. the Spider(2001)

    as Trixie Grillo

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Law & Order: Criminal Intent(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Regina Reid

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • The Believer(2001)

    as Lina Moebius

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Luckytown (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Stella

  • Wild Things(1998)

    as Sandra Van Ryan

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Running Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Emily Russo

  • The Proposition(1996)

    as Catherine Morgan

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Once You Meet a Stranger(1996)

    as Margo Anthony

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Public Enemies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Kate Barker

  • Nash Bridges(1996)

    Show 2 episodes · as Ellen Holiday

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Hotel Paradise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Bride

  • The Grotesque (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Lady Harriet Coal

  • A Young Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Morgan Le Fay

  • Trade Off (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Jackie Daniels

  • The Spy Within(1995)

    as Mary Ann Curran (aka Alex Canis)

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Being Human(1994)

    as The Storyteller

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • A Woman's Guide to Adultery (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 3 episodes · as Rose

  • Thicker Than Water (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Debbie / Jo

  • Cold Heaven(1991)

    as Marie Davenport

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Kafka(1991)

    as Gabriela

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Whore(1991)

    as Liz

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Impulse(1990)

    as Lottie Mason

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Physical Evidence(1989)

    as Jennifer "Jenny" Hudson

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Track 29 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Linda Henry

  • Aria(1987)

    as King Zog

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Black Widow(1987)

    as Catharine

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Insignificance(1985)

    as The Actress

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • The Razor's Edge(1984)

    as Sophie MacDonald

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Eureka(1983)

    as Tracy

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Bad Timing(1980)

    as Milena Flaherty

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Blind Ambition (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 4 episodes · as Maureeen Dean

  • Straight Time(1978)

    as Jenny Mercer

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • The Last Tycoon(1976)

    as Cecilia Brady

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Mr. Kneff (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 61 titles, 60 of them dated from 1976 to 2016; peak year 1990.

Biggest box office

Wild Things (1998)

$30M worldwide

Highest rated

Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession (2004)

Midcredits 92nd

Most popular right now

Wild Things (1998)

Film career

19762016

Peak 1990 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 12 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting61 of 61: 61 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score43rd

By decade

1970s3 · acting1980s8 · acting1990s18 · acting2000s22 · acting2010s9 · acting

Billing

usually 2nd · top billed in 13% of 23 roles
76869101

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Theresa Russell's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 41st percentile, the median of all 33; across their 32 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 39th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

39thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 32

Approval · how many liked their films

36thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 32

Reach · how many have seen their films

69thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 32

Midcredits score across 38 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up6
  • 50th to 74th9
  • 25th to 49th10
  • Below 25th13

Shape of the crowd

13 of their 38 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive3
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser13
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed13

Most divisive · actor

Chinaman's Chance: America's Other Slaves (2008)

97th percentile spread · 33% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Straight Time (1978)

Midcredits 92nd · 81% liked

Reviewers score the acting 61/100 in their films, across 29 reviewed titles; fans 76, detractors 41. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Theresa Russell's work okay for kids?

Across up to 13 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, sex & nudity, profanity, alcohol & drugs and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore7 titles52–76 · median 65 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity13 titles23–73 · median 57 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity6 titles51–86 · median 77 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs6 titles25–69 · median 54 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense5 titles43–76 · median 53 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Theresa Russell work with?

People who share at least 2 of Theresa Russell's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Nicolas Roeg shares the most, 5.

Directors

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles