Childhood & Early Life
Kurt Russell was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA to actor and baseball club owner Neil Oliver ‘Bing’ Russell and Louise Julia, a dancer.
As a child, he lived a vibrant life and gained exposure to the world of films as a result of his father’s career. He appeared as a child artiste in the ABC television series ‘Sugarfoot’.
By the time he was twelve years old, he starred in the television series called ‘The Travels of Jamie McPheeters’.
In 1964, he appeared on an episode of the TV series ‘The Fugitive’, that year he was also seen in the TV series ‘The Virginian’ and ‘Gunsmoke’.
In 1965, at the age of fourteen he played the role of ‘jungle boy’ on ‘Gilligan’s Island’ which was broadcast on the CBS network.
In 1969, he graduated from the Thousand Oaks High School and soon after signed a ten year contract with Walt Disney.
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Career
In 1971, he played the role of a young robber in ‘Fools Parade’, a drama film directed by Andrew McLagen based on the novel of the same title written by Davis Grubb.
In 1976, he appeared on the NBC series ‘The Quest’ along with Tim Matheson.
In 1979, he earned an Emmy Award nomination for the television film ‘Elvis’ based on the real life of Elvis Presley, in which he played the title role.
In 1981, he starred in the American sci-fi action film ‘Escape from New York’, directed by John Carpenter, the film was a major success at the box office.
In 1982, he played the role of ‘MacReady’ in the ‘The Thing’, a sci-fi horror film which was a remake of the 1951 film ‘The Thing from Another World’. The film was a financial failure but gained a cult status.
In 1984, he received a Golden Globe nomination for his role as ‘Drew Stephens’ alongside Meryl Streep in the film ‘Silkwood’. The film was inspired by the life of Karen Silkwood, a labour union activist who died mysteriously.
In 1986, he played the part of a truck driver caught in an ancient Chinese war in ‘Big Trouble In Little China’, a martial arts inspired comedy film which received mixed reviews from critics.
In 1991, he played the role of ‘Capt. Dennis McCaffery’ in the action thriller ‘Backdraft’, directed by Ron Howard. The film received three Academy Award nominations and was a huge commercial success.
In 1994, he played the role of ‘’Colonel Jack O'Neil’ in ‘Stargate’, a film directed by Roland Emmerich. It received a mixed reception but gained a cult following worldwide.
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In 1996, he acted in the action thriller ‘Executive Decision’, a film directed by Stuart Baird. The film received positive reviews though it was not a commercial success.
In 2001, he starred in ‘3000 Miles to Graceland’, a film that revolved around a plot to rob a Casino. He played the role of ‘Michael Zane’, an Elvis Presley impersonator in the film.
In 2004, he starred in the critically acclaimed biographical film ‘Miracle’, in which he played the powerful role of ‘Herb Brooks’, a U.S. hockey coach who leads his team to win an Olympic Gold medal.
In 2007, he played the role of a villainous stuntman ‘Mike’ in Quentin Tarantino's second feature length segment ‘Death Proof’ from the film ‘Grindhouse’. That year he was also seen in the film ‘Cutlass’.
In 2012, he starred in the film ‘Touchback’ along with Brain Presley. The film was directed and written by Don Handfield.
He is currently filming for the upcoming comedy film titled ‘The Art of the Steel’, written and directed by Jonathan Sobol. The release date for the film is yet to be announced.
Awards & Achievements
In 1997, he won the Blockbuster Entertainment Award in the category, ‘Favourite Actor - Adventure/Drama in ‘Executive Decision’.
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In 2003, he was the recipient of the Life Career Award from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA.
Personal Life & Legacy
He was a baseball player all through his high school and college days and in early 1970, he played for the California Angels minor league, the Bend Rainbows, Walla Walla Islanders, Portland Mavericks and El Paso Sun Kings.
He suffered shoulder injuries after a baseball match, following which he retired from baseball.
In 1979, he married actress Season Hubley and they had a son together. The couple got divorced in 1983.
He is in a relationship with actress Goldie Hawn and the couple have a son together.
