Biography for
Nipsey Russell More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

15 September 1918, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Date of Death

2 October 2005, New York City, New York, USA (cancer)

Birth Name

Julius Russell

Nickname

The Poet Laureate of Television
The Poet Laureate of Comedy
Harlem's Son of Fun
Nipsy

Height

5' 9" (1.75 m)

Mini Biography

Nipsey Russell was born in Atlanta Georgia in 1918. Russell got his start in Rock and Roll and other music reviews in the 1950s. In the 1960s Russell achieved his first major role as Officer Anderson in "Car 54, Where Are You?" (1961). After being on the show for a year Russell was a mainstay on variety shows, appearing on Laugh-In, "The Dean Martin Comedy Hour" (1965), the Jackie Gleason Show, among many others. Russell also appeared in so many small shows in the 1960s as an always unique personality that would liven up almost any program. As the 1970s approached Nipsey Russell became a popular game show panelist, appearing mostly on To Tell The Truth, "Match Game PM" (1975), and many others. Nipsey was known as Television's Poet Laurete. On such shows like The Tonight Show, and many other very popular talk shows of the day.

Nipsey's film roles have been remarkably scarce, but will always be remembered for his role of the Tin Man in the 1978 remake of the Wizard of Oz, The Wiz (1978). The movie was a box office failure, but since the movie has been considered a cult classic. But Russell's skill cannot be weighed by his television and movie appearances. He is an accomplished actor and singer on stage. Russell has been on Broadway for many years, and still appears to be going strong on stage.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Scott msa0510@mail.ecu.edu.

Trade Mark

Always presenting a poem at his shows

Trivia

Frequently gives a humorous poem during his game show and talk show appearances.

Delivered standard four-line topical poems as part of his routine. An example: "The opposite of pro is con; That fact is clearly seen; If progress means move forward, Then what does Congress mean?"

An early job as a carhop kick-started his career. To generate tips he would joke around to make his customers laugh. It helped him hone his nightclub act at such establishments as the Club Baby Grand and Apollo Theater. Received his first big break in the late 1950s on "The Ed Sullivan Show" (1948).

Recorded several "party" albums.

Became one of the first African-American to be a regular on game shows ("To Tell the Truth") and also one of the first black game show hosts with NBC's "Your Number's Up."

Had a singing/dancing background. He danced with the Ragamuffins of Rhythm.

Obtained the rank of captain in the Army World World II, when African American officers were very rare and segregation was official policy.

Got his start in show business in the late 1950's on "The Ed Sullivan Show" (1948).

Served in Europe as a captain in the United States Army in World War II.

Although he claimed to have been a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, he actually attended for only one semester in 1936 and did not receive a degree.

Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume 7, 2003-2005, pages 483-485. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2007.

Personal Quotes

I've always had the ability to manipulate words and communicate ideas and thoughts. Writing poems is very simple to do....I start with the joke line and write backward.

When asked why he never married: I have trouble living with myself, how could I live with anyone else?