Sheila E. Russell, a native of Florida, began her career at a young age, working at Cypress Gardens as a teenager, where she sold orange juice and showcased her skills as a teen golf champion in the area. This early start laid the foundation for her illustrious over three-decade-long career in Hollywood, spanning both film and television, as well as the dramatic and comedic stage.
Sheila's impressive television credits include a recurring role as Jeannie Vogel, mother-in-law to Pete Campbell, on the Emmy-winning series Mad Men, as well as notable parts in Scandal, Fear the Walking Dead: Flight 462, and numerous other shows such as Grace and Frankie, Shooter, Lady Dynamite, Vegas, Shameless, Criminal Minds, Sons of Anarchy, Dexter, Bones, Gilmore Girls, and The King of Queens.
On the big screen, Sheila has appeared in a range of films, including People Like Us, Pineapple Express, First Daughter, and Erin Brockovich, which starred Academy Award winner Julia Roberts. Her extensive filmography showcases her versatility as a character actress.
In addition to her work in film and television, Sheila has been an active member of the Los Angeles local theater scene for over 30 years, earning her Equity card in a production of Arthur Miller's "All My Sons" at the Los Angeles Theater Center. One of her standout performances was as May Bee Burley in Theatre West's 1985 premiere of "Verdigris", which earned her both the Los Angeles Weekly and Drama-Logue awards. She reprised her role in the play's 30-year anniversary production, this time taking on the powerful leading role of Margaret Fielding, receiving critical acclaim for her performance.
