Below is a compiled list of the most interesting facts about Kurt Russell. Check it out!
Kurt Vogel Russell on March 17, 1951 in Springfield, Massachusetts to Louise Julia Russell (née Crone), a dancer & Bing Russell, an actor. He is of English, German, Scottish and Irish descent. His first roles were as a child on television series, including a lead role on the Western series The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters (1963). Russell landed a role in the Elvis Presley movie, It Happened at the World’s Fair (1963), when he was eleven years old. Walt Disney himself signed Russell to a 10-year contract, and, according to Robert Osborne, he became the studio’s top star of the 1970s. Having voiced adult Copper in the animated Disney film The Fox and the Hound (1981), Russell is one of the few famous child stars in Hollywood who has been able to continue his acting career past his teen years.
Interesting Facts about Kurt Russell
- Said in his audio commentary for Big Trouble in Little China (1986) that the test audiences reacted so well to the film that he thought for sure that he and director friend John Carpenter had a box office hit on their hands. However, the studio put so little effort into advertising the film that it ultimately didn’t do as well at the box office but became a cult favorite instead.
- Made his film debut in the Elvis Presley film, It Happened at the World’s Fair (1963). He later went on to play him in Elvis (1979), and to provide his voice in Forrest Gump (1994).
- He was Sylvester Stallone’s original choice for Church in The Expendables (2010), which he turned down. The role went to Bruce Willis.
- Stepfather-in-law of Erinn Bartlett, son-in-law of Rut Hawn and Laura Hawn, brother-in-law of Patti Hawn, uncle of David Birznieks. Ex-de-facto-stepfather-in-law of Chris Robinson.
- He was considered for Jack Traven in Speed (1994).
- Dino De Laurentiis wanted him to star in Flash Gordon (1980). He turned down, because he felt that the role of Flash Gordon lacked character. The role went to Sam J. Jones.
- Has portrayed cult classic heroes in five different movies: Escape from New York (1981), The Thing (1982), Big Trouble in Little China (1986), Stargate (1994) and Escape from L.A. (1996).
- John Carpenter wanted to cast him in the horror film The Fog (1980).
- Has appeared with Ed Begley Jr. in five films: The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969), Now You See Him, Now You Don’t (1972), Charley and the Angel (1973), Superdad (1973) and Elvis (1979).
- He was considered for Ralph Fiennes’ role in Strange Days (1995).
- Kate Hudson, daughter of his longtime companion Goldie Hawn, named her son Ryder Russell Robinson. The middle name is an homage to Kurt, whom Hudson always considered to be her father.
- He was considered for the role of Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver (1976), which went to Robert De Niro.
Personal Quotes by Kurt Russell
We are in a democratic society. It’s our job to question.
Kurt Russell
When I was working on my career, I was very aware of what I had done, what I wanted to do next. I’m having a good time just reading things that might be interesting to do.
Kurt Russell
I seem to have a knack for picking movies that go on to be cult favorites.
Kurt Russell
Society questions the police and their methods, and the police say, Do you want the criminals off the street or not?
Kurt Russell
My first year of pro ball I played in the Northwest league and made the all-star team, and the next year I played I led the team in hitting and was third or fifth in the league.
Kurt Russell
