Russell is a celebrated comic improviser, actor, and director, best known for his award-winning solo cabaret Jest Like Danny Kaye and as the charismatic host of the hit improvised musical Spontaneous Broadway. He has also performed extensively for schools, universities, and corporate events.

For years, Russell was the studio audience warm-up and contestant audition host par excellence for Family Feud (Fremantle Media/Network 10), bringing his trademark energy and humour to every taping.

His theatre credits are extensive and diverse, spanning from Shakespeare Under The Stars to The 39 Steps, Yes, Prime Minister, and The Kitchen Sink with Red Stitch Theatre.

As a director and dramaturg, Russell has collaborated with many of Australia’s top comedic talents, including Lawrence Mooney, Denise Scott, and Greg Fleet. His directing highlights include The 3 Mikados starring Colin Lane (Lano & Woodley) and David Collins (The Umbilical Brothers), Jenny Wynter’s A Viking Tale, and Stephen Hall’s acclaimed shows Bondarama and Raiders of the Temple of Doom’s Last Crusade. He has also worked with Ilbijerri Theatre and Arena Theatre Company, among many others.

Notably, Russell is the only Australian ever to appear on Whose Line Is It Anyway? (UK, 1993), and he remains instantly recognisable to many as Father Ricky from The Adventures of Lano and Woodley (ABC TV).

Training

Graduated in Drama at Victoria College – Rusden 1986

Television

DEATH OR LIBERTY (Docudrama)
Role: John Frost. Dir: Keith Farrell, Roar Film 2015
THE DOCTOR BLAKE MYSTERIES
Role: Geoffrey Nicholson. Dir: Ian Barry, December Media 2013
JACK IRISH: BAD DEBTS
Role: Priest. Dir: Jeffrey Walker, Essential Media Pty Ltd 2011
COMEDY SLAPDOWN
Performer. Fremantle Media 2008
CITY HOMICIDE (Series 3)
Role: Miles Dempsey. Dir: Kevin Calin, Seven Network 2007
THANK GOD YOU’RE HERE (Series 2)
Additional Cast. Dir: Peter Ots & Rob Sitch, Working Dog 2006
BERT’S FAMILY FEUD
Guest. 2007
THANK GOD YOU’RE HERE (Series 2)
Additional Cast. Dir: Peter Ots & Rob Sitch, Working Dog 2006
BLUE HEELERS (Series 12)
Role: Private Detective. Dir: Roger Hodgman, Southern Star 2005
LEGACY OF THE SILVER SHADOW
Role: Guard. Dir: Stephen Johnson. ACTF Productions 2001
THE ADVENTURES OF LANO & WOODLEY (Series 2)
Role: Father Richards. Dir: John Olb, ABC TV Comedy 1999
STINGERS
Role: Det. Sen. Sgt Tomkins. Dir: Brendan Maher. Simpson Le Mesurier 1999
HESSIE’S SHED
Guest. 1998
GET A LIFE
Role: David Carter. Artist Services / The Comedy Channel 1997
GOOD NEWS WEEK
Guest. Dir: Martin Coombes, ABC TV 1996
SNOWY RIVER: THE MCGREGOR SAGA
Role: Trooper Scanlon. Dir: Steve Jodrell, Pro Films 1995
JANUS (Series 2)
Role: PSG Sergeant. Dir: Kate Woods, ABC TV 1995
BLUE HEELERS
Role: Davis. Dir: Gary Conway, Southern Star 1994
G.P (Series 5)
Role: Reece McGregor. Dir: Peter Andrikidis, ABC TV 1993
WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY? UK (Series 5)
Ensemble. Dir: John F.D. Northover, Hat Trick Productions 1993
PHOENIX (Series 2)
Role: Kermie. Dir: Various. ABC TV 1993
BOYS FROM THE BUSH (Series 2)
Role: Stevie Stranks. Dir: Various, Cinema Verity 1992
CHANCES
Role: Jeremy. Dir: Various, Beyond Productions 1991
LET THE BLOOD RUN FREE
Role: Parking Officer. Dir: John Thomson, Media Arts 1990
THE FLYING DOCTORS (Series 5)
Role: Andy. Dir: Paul Moloney, Crawford Productions 1989
THE GREAT TV GAME SHOW
Himself. Media Arts / Network Ten 1989

Film

RUBEN’S CUBE (Short)
Role: Paul. Dir: Dianne Janes 2009
ONE WAY TICKET
Role: Geoff. Dir: Richard Franklin, Grundy Television Productions 1997
PAPERBACK ROMANCE
Role: Det. Tyrone. Dir: Ben Lewin, Generations Films 1994
EIGHT BALL
Role: Police Officer. Dir: Ray Argall, Meridian Films 1992

Theatre

THE KITCHEN SINK by Tom Wells.
Role: Father Martin. Dir: Terence O’Connell, Red Stitch 2012 & 2014
YES, PRIME MINISTER
Role: Bernard Woolley. Dir: Simon Bryce, Show Partners Pty Ltd 2013
YES, PRIME MINISTER
Role: BBC Reporter Simon Chester. Yes, Prime Minister Pty Ltd 2012
THE 39 STEPS
Various Roles. Melbourne Playhouse / Tinderbox 2009
THE SANTALAND DIARIES by David Sedaris
Role: Krumpet. Auspicious Arts Australia 2008
THE 39 STEPS
Various Roles. Sydney Opera House season / Tinderbox Prods.
A TRIBUTE TO DANNY KAYE
Role: Danny Kaye. Adelaide Cabaret Festival et. al. 2006-07
LEVELLAND
Role: Demetri. Dir: Guy Masterson / by Rich Hall / MICF 2006-07
SCORE: RELOADED with Melbourne Youth Orchestra
Conductor: Peter Bandy 2006-07
A TRIBUTE TO DANNY KAYE
Role: Danny Kaye. Self-directed. Czech House / Melbourne Fringe Festival 2005
CYRANO DE BERGERAC
Various Roles Dir. Simon Phillips. Melbourne Theatre Company 2005
TWELVE ANGRY MEN
Role: Juror 12. Dir. Guy Masterson. Arts Projects Australia / Adrian Bohm – Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne 2004
OUTLOOKERS
Role: Marcus, Ms Walberry & others. Arena Theatre Co. 2003
NOISES OFF
Role: Frederick Fellowes. Dir: Peter Houghton / ComedyTheatre 2003
FLETCHER’S SPONTANEOUS BROADWAY
Black Cat / Fitzroy 2002
CERTIFIED MALE
Role: McBride. Dir: Terry O’Connell. Aust. & NZ Tour 2001
FLETCHER’S SPONTANEOUS BROADWAY
Melbourne Fringe Festival 2000
**Winner of “Palme De Broadway” Award**
THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
Dir: John Saunders. National Tour 1999
JUMP RALPH, JUMP
MICF 1998
KING OF FOOLS/JUMP RALPH, JUMP
Adelaide Fringe Festival 1998
JUMP RALPH, JUMP
Role: Ralph. Dir: Craig Freimond / Carlton Courthouse / Fringe Festival 1997
KING OF FOOLS
Writer/Performer. MICF / Trades Hall (1997)
CANDIDE
Melbourne Maskworks / MICF / Trades Hall 1997
KING OF FOOLS
Writer/Performer. Dir: Peter Donahue. St Martins 1996
*Winner of Best Self-Devised Work- Fringe Festival 1996*
EASY TO SAY
Role: Geoff Dir: Paul Hampton. La Mama 1996
ROMEO & JULIET
Role: Mercutio Dir: Glenn Elston. Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne & Adelaide Festival 1995-96
TEST TUBE TWINSET
Dir: Matthew Green. Napier St Theatre 1995
COMEDY OF ERRORS
Northcote Ampitheatre 1995
IT’S A MERDE MERDE WORLD
Continental Cafe / Troupe De Jour 1994
CINDERELLA
Melbourne Maskworks 1993-94
TWELFTH NIGHT
Role: Sebastian. Dir: Glenn Elston. Royal Bot. Gardens 1993
A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM
Role: Lysander & Tom Snout. Dir: Glenn Elston. Sydney Botanic Gardens
STORMING SWANSTON WALK BY TRAM
Dir: Cliff Ellen 1992
THREE LITTLE PIGS & LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD
1992
A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM
Role: Lysander & Tom Snout. Dir: Glenn Elston 1989-91
CASA DEL TAWDREY
Role: Reggie. Writer/Performer. MICF 1989
PEMULWOY
Co-deviser/Performer. Commonwealth Institute / London / Bicentennial 1988

Direction

INSIDE
Director. MICF, Adelaide Fringe Festival, Sydney Festival 2013
SPONTANEOUS BROADWAY
Host, Director, Producer. 2000-present
*Winner – ‘Palme De Broadway’, Melbourne Fringe Festival 2000
DIGGER
Role: Richard McKenzie. MICF 2006
*Moosehead recipient*
BONDARAMA
Director. Chapel Off Chapel, Melbourne, August 2011
THE ULTIMATE JAM SESSION
Director. Bold Jack Productions 2010/11
SHANGHAI SLIM
Director, co-writer.
Written and starring Lin Dong Fu Melbourne International Comedy Festival show, 2010
COMEDY SLAPDOWN
Associate Producer, Improvisation Director. Fremantle Media Australia for the comedy channel, 2008
PRIMROSE HILL
Director. Written by Adam Zwar, starring Paul Denny, 2008 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Carlton Courthouse.
FUNNY BONES
Assistant Director and Dramaturg. Comedy performance for National Reconciliation Day, City Of Port Phillip, 26 May 2006
OUTLOOKERS
Director. Arena Theatre Company 2004 – 2006
SCOTTY & SON
Starring Denise Scott & Jordie Lane. Melbourne 2004
*International Comedy Festival – *BARRY AWARD Nominee*
CERTIFIED MALE
Assistant Director. Her Majesty’s Theatre / Melbourne 2003
INTERROGATION
Written & Performed by Alan Brough & Greg Fleet.
Adelaide Fringe & Melbourne International Comedy Festivals 2003 *BARRY AWARD Nominee*
SN:TV
Performance Director. Burberry Productions / Nickelodeon 2002-2003
THE THREE CANADIANS present BEN HUR
Guest Director. MICF 2002
WORLD IMPROV CHAMPION
Role: Player/Coach. Just For Laughs Festival / Montreal Recorded for the Comedy Network, North America 2001
I SAID , I SAID
Written and performed by Michael Ward and Stephen Hall. MICF 2001
*Moosehead Award Recipient* 2001
SHE’LL BE RIGHT
Written and performed by Lynda Gibson. MICF 1998
THEATRESPORTS MELBOURNE
Co-Artistic Director 1995-2008
HAROLD
Long-form improvisation performance. St. Martins Youth Arts Centre / Melbourne 1995-1996
THE PURPLE AND BLACK ZONE
A Comedy Cabaret. The Comedy Cafe / Melbourne Spoleto Fringe Festival 1986
HOOVER WALLABIES WEDDING
A Commedia Mask show. Salamanca Arts Festival Hobart 1985