Jeannie Russell
Jeannie Russell (born Jeanne K. Russell; October 22, 1950) is an American actress best known for playing Dennis's playmate, Margaret Wade, in the television series "Dennis the Menace", which was based on the Hank Ketcham comic strip of the same name and aired from 1959 to 1963 on CBS. Russell was chosen at the suggestion of Jay North, who starred in the role of Dennis, to play his nemesis playmate. She appeared in 31 of the series' 146 episodes over the four-year run of the show. Career. Russell also appeared in other popular TV shows of  the era, including "The Deputy" (1959), "" (1961), "Death Valley Days" (1961), and "The Dinah Shore Show". Russell provided a singing voice in the 1961 Disney movie "Babes in Toyland" and made an uncredited appearance in the 1963 popular suspense horror film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, "The Birds", in which she played a school child. In 1993, she made a cameo appearance in the film version of "Dennis the Menace" playing one of the Mitchells' neighbors. She has done live theater and sound track work, as well as performing as a singer. In the 1990s, Russell was active on the national  talk-show and news-feature circuit. Personal life. Since 1978, Russell has been practicing chiropractic medicine in the North Hollywood/Toluca Lake (California) area. She also counsels and coaches patients, assisting them with "intuitive eating" skills to embrace a healthy lifestyle. Russell had developed a powerful posture building series of movement and strengthening exercises, which draw from her career in show business. She is also trained in ballet and jazz dance. North and she occasionally appear together at celebrity events. Russell co-chaired the Screen Actors Guild Young Performers' Committee for several years. Russell is the sister of Bryan Russell , who was also a child actor from 1959 to 1967. She currently resides in the Studio City section of Los Angeles, California.