Russ Tamblyn Siblings: Remembering Larry Tamblyn

Russ Tamblyn is a renowned American actor, dancer, and artist whose career has spanned nearly eight decades.

Born Russell Irving Tamblyn on December 30, 1934, in Los Angeles, California, he grew up in a show business family as the son of actors Sally Aileen Triplett and Edward Francis “Eddie” Tamblyn.

From a young age, Tamblyn displayed remarkable energy and talent, training in gymnastics, dance, and acrobatics, which propelled him into Hollywood as a child performer.

He became widely recognized for his dynamic roles in classic musicals and dramas, including standout performances in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and West Side Story.

Over the years, he transitioned into television, notably portraying the eccentric Dr. Lawrence Jacoby in David Lynch’s Twin Peaks, and continued working in film and other creative pursuits well into his later years.

Siblings

Russ had one sibling, his younger brother Larry Tamblyn.

Larry pursued a career in music as a founding member, frontman, keyboardist, and organist for the 1960s garage rock band The Standells, best known for their hit song “Dirty Water.”

Larry passed away in March 2025 at the age of 82, leaving behind a legacy in music and as part of a talented family that also includes Russ’s daughter, actress Amber Tamblyn.

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Career

Tamblyn’s career began in the late 1940s as a child actor, with early appearances in films such as The Boy with Green Hair and Samson and Delilah.

His athletic abilities and dancing skills caught the attention of MGM Studios, leading to a long-term contract.

He gained prominence with a memorable role in the 1954 musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, where his acrobatic dancing as one of the brothers helped make the film a classic.

This success was followed by a dramatic turn in Peyton Place (1957), showcasing his versatility beyond musicals.

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Tamblyn starred in films like Tom Thumb (1958), High School Confidential! (1958), and The Haunting (1963).

His most iconic role came in 1961 as Riff, the leader of the Jets, in the Oscar-winning West Side Story, where his charismatic performance opposite Richard Beymer contributed to the film’s massive success.

After military service interrupted his momentum in the late 1950s, he continued working in exploitation films during the 1970s and later shifted toward choreography and eclectic projects.

A major revival occurred in 1990 with his role in Twin Peaks, and he appeared in later works such as Django Unchained (2012).

Tamblyn also explored art, directing, and writing, including his 2024 autobiography Dancing on the Edge.

Accolades

Tamblyn received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Peyton Place (1957), one of the film’s nine Oscar nods.

Earlier, he won a Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer – Male (shared with Ray Danton) for his work in Hit the Deck (1955).

He was also nominated for a Golden Laurel Award for Top Male Musical Performance for Tom Thumb (1958).

Tamblyn’s contributions appear in several acclaimed films, including six nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, Father of the Bride (1950), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954), Peyton Place (1957), West Side Story (1961), How the West Was Won (1962), and Django Unchained (2012), with West Side Story winning the top honor.