Terri Runnels

Terri Runnels made her impactful debut in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 1990 as the groundbreaking character Alexandra York, establishing herself as a prominent figure in professional wrestling. Before her on-screen transition, Runnels honed her skills as a respected makeup artist for CNN from 1985 to 1991, where she notably worked with figures such as Larry King. During this period, she also applied makeup for wrestlers at Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP) and later for World Championship Wrestling (WCW) after its 1988 acquisition by Ted Turner. As Alexandra York, she portrayed a laptop-carrying accountant, managing the finance-themed wrestling stable known as the York Foundation during her two-year tenure with WCW, laying the groundwork for her on-screen career.

In 1996, Runnels joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), making her debut at the Royal Rumble. She adopted the iconic persona of Marlena, inspired by Marlene Dietrich, managing her then-husband, Goldust. Appearing at ringside in a director’s chair, the Marlena character was noted for her coolly indifferent, cigar-smoking, and seductive demeanor, playing a pivotal role in shaping the WWF’s emerging ‘Attitude Era’ and ‘Diva division’ of the late 1990s. Following the conclusion of her alliance with Goldust, she reappeared under her real name in 1998 as the on-screen girlfriend of Val Venis.

Following her departure, she has engaged in various philanthropic efforts. In 2018, Runnels made a celebrated return appearance to WWE for the Raw 25 Years special episode, where she was honored among other influential women for their contributions to the company’s legacy.