Kurt Russell Bio
Kurt Vogel Russell (born March 17, 1951) is an American actor. He began his career as a child actor before transitioning to leading roles as an adult in various genres such as action adventures, science-fiction, westerns, romance films, comedic films, and family dramas. He is known for collaborating with filmmakers such as John Carpenter and Quentin Tarantino, and has received a Critics’ Choice Super Award as well as various award nominations, including for a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award. Russell’s extensive career spans over six decades, showcasing his versatility and enduring appeal in Hollywood.
Early Life and Background
Kurt Vogel Russell was born on March 17, 1951, at Wesson Maternity Hospital in Springfield, Massachusetts. His father, Bing Russell, was also an actor, and his mother, Louise Julia (née Crone) Russell, was a dancer. Kurt Russell is of English, Irish, German, and Scottish ancestry. He has three sisters and grew up in Thousand Oaks, California, after his family relocated there during his childhood. Russell played little league baseball throughout his grade school years and was a second baseman on his high school baseball team. He graduated from Thousand Oaks High School in California in 1969.
Path to Hollywood
At the age of 12, Kurt Russell began acting in the Western television series The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters (1963–1964). In the late 1960s, he signed a ten-year contract with The Walt Disney Company, starring in films such as The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969), Now You See Him, Now You Don’t (1972), and The Strongest Man in the World (1975). His portrayal of rock and roll superstar Elvis Presley in the television film Elvis (1979) earned him a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie. This role marked a significant turning point in his career, transitioning him from a child actor to a leading man in Hollywood.
Kurt Russell Career
Early Career (1962–1979)
Kurt Russell made his film debut with an uncredited part in the Elvis Presley film It Happened at the World’s Fair. His early career included guest appearances on various television shows, leading to his role in The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters. In 1966, he was signed to a ten-year contract with Walt Disney Productions, where he became one of the studio’s top stars of the 1970s. His first film for Disney was Follow Me, Boys! (1966), and he quickly became a household name with successful films like The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes.
Breakthrough (1980–1999)
Russell’s breakthrough in Hollywood came with his role as the anti-hero Snake Plissken in the dystopian science fiction film Escape from New York (1981), directed by John Carpenter. This role redefined his image and established him as a leading man in action films. He continued to collaborate with Carpenter on several projects, including The Thing (1982) and Big Trouble in Little China (1986). In 1983, he received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Silkwood. His performances in films like Overboard (1987) and Tombstone (1993) further solidified his status as a versatile actor capable of handling both comedic and dramatic roles.
Notable Works and Milestones
Kurt Russell’s signature works include his roles in the Fast & Furious franchise, where he portrayed Mr. Nobody, and his performance as Ego in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. He has received critical acclaim for his work in films such as Miracle (2004) and The Hateful Eight (2015).
Kurt Russell Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Kurt Russell has received various award nominations, including a Primetime Emmy Award for his role in Elvis and a Golden Globe Award for his performance in Silkwood.
Kurt Russell Awards Won
Kurt Russell has won several awards, including a Critics’ Choice Super Award for his performance in The Hateful Eight.
Kurt Russell Family
Kurt Russell was married to actress Season Hubley from 1979 to 1983. They have one son, Boston Russell, born on February 16, 1980. Since 1983, he has been in a relationship with actress Goldie Hawn, and they have a son, Wyatt Russell, born on July 10, 1986.
Personal Life
Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn have owned homes in various locations, including Vancouver, British Columbia, and Palm Desert, California. Russell has expressed his views on various topics, including politics and gun rights, and he is also an FAA-licensed private pilot. In 2017, he and Hawn received stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for their achievements in motion pictures. In 2025, Russell is set to join the cast of the Yellowstone spin-off The Madison.
