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Entertainment • Actress

Keri Russell

Keri Russell is an American actress known for her television roles in *Felicity*, *The Americans*, and *The Diplomat*.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Keri Russell is an American actress known for her television roles in *Felicity*, *The Americans*, and *The Diplomat*. She was born on March 23, 1976, in Fountain Valley, California, and won a Golden Globe Award for *Felicity*. She first became widely known for playing Felicity Porter in the WB series *Felicity*.

Early life and career beginnings

Keri Russell was born in 1976 in Fountain Valley, California. She began appearing on television at age 15 as part of *The All-New Mickey Mouse Club*.

Breakthrough with *Felicity*

Russell rose to prominence as the title character in *Felicity* from 1998 to 2002. The role earned her a Golden Globe Award and established her as a leading television actress.

Later television work

She later starred in *The Americans* as Elizabeth Jennings, earning multiple major award nominations. She also leads *The Diplomat*, continuing her work in dramatic television.

Film career

Russell has also appeared in feature films across several genres, including romantic comedy, drama, and science fiction. Notable credits include *Waitress*, *August Rush*, and *Mission: Impossible III*.

Key facts

  • Keri Russell is an American actress best known for *Felicity*, *The Americans*, and *The Diplomat*.
  • She won a Golden Globe Award in 1999 for her work on *Felicity*.
  • She starred as Elizabeth Jennings in FX's *The Americans* from 2013 to 2018.
  • Her film credits include *Mission: Impossible III*, *Waitress*, *August Rush*, and *Dawn of the Planet of the Apes*.
  • She was a cast member on Disney Channel's *The All-New Mickey Mouse Club* from 1991 to 1994.
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Canadian context

Keri Russell is widely known to Canadian viewers through U.S. television series such as *Felicity*, *The Americans*, and *The Diplomat*, which have aired and streamed in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Keri Russell?
Keri Russell is an American actress best known for *Felicity*, *The Americans*, and *The Diplomat*.
How old is Keri Russell?
Keri Russell was born on March 23, 1976, which makes her 50 years old as of July 23, 2026.
What movies has Keri Russell been in?
Her film credits include *Mission: Impossible III*, *Waitress*, *August Rush*, *Extraordinary Measures*, *Dawn of the Planet of the Apes*, and *Free State of Jones*.
Is Keri Russell married?
Britannica lists her as married to Matthew Rhys; it also notes a prior marriage to Shane Deary from 2007 to 2013.
What TV shows has Keri Russell starred in?
She has starred in *The All-New Mickey Mouse Club*, *Felicity*, *The Americans*, *The Diplomat*, and *Running Wilde*.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keri_Russell
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, major television roles, and award overview.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Keri-Russell
    Supports: Birth date and place, age, marriages, and overview of major career roles.
  3. Golden Globes — https://goldenglobes.com/person/keri-russell/
    Supports: Early TV work, *Felicity* Golden Globe win, and film/TV credits.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005392/bio/
    Supports: Television credits and career overview.
  5. TV Guide — https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/keri-russell/bio/3000413909/
    Supports: Biographical details and selected career information.
  6. Screen Dollars — https://www.screendollars.com/celebrity/keri-russell/
    Supports: Film credits and marriage/relationship information.