Keri Russell Can Thank Jill Clayburgh for Her Love of Theater

Keri Russell Can Thank Jill Clayburgh for Her Love of Theater

Over the years, the Jill Clayburgh has bequeathed several memorable roles to audiences, from an affluent Upper East Sider in Unmarried Woman to, most recently, Kristin Wiig's quirky mom in Bridesmaids. And her generosity extends to the theater, too. Last night at the New York City Ballet Fall Gala at New York's Lincoln Center, Keri Russell credited the late actress, who she starred with in 1997's When Innocence Is Lost, for introducing her to the ballet.

"When I first moved to New York, Jill Clayburgh had tickets every year and I used to use her seats to the matinee," she told InStyle. "The ballet is such a fun, fancy part of being in New York." Russell, in a black minidress by Johanna Ortiz, walked the red carpet arm in arm with her boyfriend, Matthew Rhys, who donned a Domenico Vacca suit—the same one he wore to the White House to meet Barack Obama. "The good president!" he said, laughing.

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Inside, Russell and Rhys joined NYCB board of directors vice chair Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick, Michelle Monaghan, Prabal Gurung, Hari Nef, and others for this year's performance, which showcased four choreographer and designer collaborations: Lauren Lovette and Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim of Monse, Justin Peck and Tsumori Chisato, Gianna Reisen and Virgil Abloh of Off-White, and Troy Schumacher and Jonathan Saunders.

A stylish night, indeed.