Biography for
John Russell (I) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

3 January 1921, Los Angeles, California, USA

Date of Death

19 January 1991, Los Angeles, California, USA (emphysema)

Birth Name

John Lawrence Russell

Height

6' 3" (1.91 m)

Mini Biography

Handsome, rugged American leading man John Russell (whose credits are often confused with those of child actor Johnny Russell) attended the University of California, where he was a student athlete. Serving in the US Marine Corps in WW II, he earned a battlefield commission and decorations for valor at Guadalcanal. His dark good looks brought him to the attention of a talent scout after the war and he began playing second leads and occasional heavies in major productions. In the 1950s, he branched into television and starred in several popular series, most notably "Lawman" (1958). His appearances were sporadic after the 1960s, though he was a memorable villain in Clint Eastwood's Pale Rider (1985).

IMDb Mini Biography By: Jim Beaver <jumblejim@prodigy.net>

Spouse

Linda Warner Pearse	(1970 - 1971) (divorced)
Renata Titus	(1943 - 1965) (divorced) 3 children

Trivia

Born at 12:5am-PST

Enlisted in the US Marine Corps during WW II, was decorated for valor and received a field promotion to lieutenant during the battle of Guadalcanal. It was there he was wounded and also contracted a severe case of malaria. He was sent back to the US, hospitalized, and eventually received a medical discharge from the Corps.

Was frequently seen in Westerns as tall, sneering villains.

Buried at a military cemetery in Westwood California.

Discovered by a talent agent while in a Beverly Hills restaurant

Married twice. His first marriage lasted over twenty years before their divorce. His second marriage to a much younger woman lasted less than a year. He had three children.

Some references state Russell's birth name as William Lawrence Russell, but U.S. Census records and California birth and death records confirm his birth name as John Lawrence Russell.

In 1930, lived at 338 South Hobart Boulevard, Los Angeles, California.

A supporting actor in adult westerns and other "A"-budget films after WWII, he was a look-alike for John Trent (1906-1966), star of "B" action films of the 1930s and 1940s, such as the "Tailspin Tommy" series. The two men were not related (Trent's real name was LaVerne Brown).