Actor. He achieved stardom in the Italian cinema, before returning to the United States during the late 1960s, where he had a busy career in television. Born Antonio Pietro Russo, to Italian immigrants, he served with the United States Army Air Corps and following his return home, he enrolled at the University of Wisconsin, where he studied Speech and Drama. He experienced further training at the Pasadena Playhouse and worked his way into motion pictures with minor roles in the films "The Silver Chalice" (1954), "Don't Give Up the Ship" (1959), "The Last Train From Gun Hill" (1959) and "War Is Hell" (1962, a role of substance). He ventured to Italy in hopes of advancing his career and became a leading man in several features, among them "Behind the Mask of Zorro" (1965) and "Wild, Wild Planet" (1966). He returned to the United States and began an association with television, as he appeared on such programs as "Death Valley Days", "The High Chaparral", "Night Gallery" and "CHiPs". A footnote: Russel was among several American actors to turn down the lead role in the Spaghetti Western "A Fist Full of Dollars" (1964). The role eventually went to Clint Eastwood which made him an international star.
Actor. He achieved stardom in the Italian cinema, before returning to the United States during the late 1960s, where he had a busy career in television. Born Antonio Pietro Russo, to Italian immigrants, he served with the United States Army Air Corps and following his return home, he enrolled at the University of Wisconsin, where he studied Speech and Drama. He experienced further training at the Pasadena Playhouse and worked his way into motion pictures with minor roles in the films "The Silver Chalice" (1954), "Don't Give Up the Ship" (1959), "The Last Train From Gun Hill" (1959) and "War Is Hell" (1962, a role of substance). He ventured to Italy in hopes of advancing his career and became a leading man in several features, among them "Behind the Mask of Zorro" (1965) and "Wild, Wild Planet" (1966). He returned to the United States and began an association with television, as he appeared on such programs as "Death Valley Days", "The High Chaparral", "Night Gallery" and "CHiPs". A footnote: Russel was among several American actors to turn down the lead role in the Spaghetti Western "A Fist Full of Dollars" (1964). The role eventually went to Clint Eastwood which made him an international star.
Bio by: C.S.
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