Patricia Russell, the offspring of the illustrious actress Elaine Spearing and the accomplished racehorse trainer Campbell Russell, entered the world in the charming village of Wigston, nestled in the vicinity of Leicester, in the year 1909. As the younger sibling of the talented actress Hilda Campbell-Russell, Patricia was undoubtedly predestined for a life that would be filled with the radiant glow of the spotlight, her every move and decision drawing attention and fascination from the public eye.
Patricia embarked upon a remarkable and illustrious professional journey, initially making her debut on the stage by assuming the enchanting role of a fairy in the 1928 production of "Where the Rainbow Ends", a theatrical endeavour that marked the beginning of her multifaceted and storied career.
As her talent and experience grew, Patricia seamlessly transitioned from her early days as a child actress to a successful and acclaimed ingenue, enjoying a prolonged and esteemed stage career that spanned numerous years, during which she undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the world of theatre.
Patricia's filmography may have been relatively concise, yet she did manage to secure a few significant roles in Gracie Fields' musical productions during the early 1930s, with notable appearances in "Look Up and Laugh" in 1934 and "Walk This Way" in 1935.
The following year, Patricia made the decision to travel to the southern region of France, where she pursued a new career path as a cabaret singer. This marked a significant departure from her previous work in film, allowing her to showcase her talents to a fresh and diverse audience.
Patricia's life took a significant turn in 1939, as it was the year she crossed paths with the illustrious Harley Street surgeon, George Exner, and subsequently made the decision to retire from the entertainment industry, marking the beginning of a new chapter in her life.
As she embarked on this new journey, Patricia was fortunate enough to share it with her loving husband, George, and together they welcomed three lovely daughters into their family: Jane, Sally, and Gilly.
Following the untimely demise of her beloved husband George in the mid-twentieth century, Patricia went on to reside in a quaint village nestled in the picturesque county of Hampshire, England. Decades later, in the year 1999, she embarked on a remarkable journey, joining forces with her sister Hilda to recount the remarkable tale of their lives. This extraordinary collaboration culminated in the creation of the documentary "I Used to be in Pictures," which afforded the world a captivating glimpse into the lives of these two extraordinary women, offering a testament to their resilience, wit, and unwavering bond.
