Bing Russell

Bing Russell (May 5, 1926 – April 8, 2003) was an American actor, and was the father of Golden Globe-nominated actor Kurt Russell.

Biography

Life

Russell was born Neil Oliver Russell in Brattleboro, Vermont, the son of Ruth (née Vogel), and Warren Russell. Russell always wanted to become a successful actor and did drama at the Brattleboro Middletown High School and his drama was so good and successful, he made his first debut in Cavalry Patrol and also made some uncredited roles in the back years. Russell died from complications from cancer on April 8, 2003 in Thousand Oaks, California.

Career

Although known as the Deputy Clem Foster on Bonanza (1959) and Robert in The Magnificent Seven (1960), he also played Vernon Presley to son, Kurt's Elvis Presley in the 1979 TV movie Elvis. Russell's claim to fame on a national level was as the owner of the Portland Mavericks Baseball Club. Helming the only independent team in the Class A Northwest League, Russell was an innovator. Before Bull Durham (1988), there were the Mavericks. Russell kept a 30-man roster because he believed that some of the players deserved to have one last season. His motto was simply one three lettered word (not win—although the Mavericks did just that). The word was fun.

Managing baseball

Russell created a park that kept all corporate sponsorship outside the gates, hired the first female general manager in professional baseball, and the following year hired the first Asian American GM/Manager. That same season his team set a record for the highest attendance in Minor league history, and went on to win the pennant. Ex-major leaguers and never-weres who couldn't stop playing the game flocked to his June try-outs, which were always open to anyone that showed up.

Filmography

External links

• Bing Russell at the Internet Movie Database
• Bing Russell at TV.com
• Bing Russell at Find a Grave
• Bonanza Cast Biographies - Bing Russell
• The New York Times article