Tony Russel (born Antonio Pietro Russo, and sometimes credited as Tony Russo or Tony Russell; November 23, 1925 – March 18, 2017) was an American actor. He was noted for having worked extensively in the Italian film industry in the mid-1960s, and for his work as a voice actor where he was the founder and president of the English Language Dubbers Association (ELDA) in Italy. He was one of several American actors who turned down the lead of A Fistful of Dollars.Barnum, Michael Tony Russel Our Man On Gamma 1 -The Wild Wild Interview Video Watchdog No. 128 Dec/Feb 2007
Biography Born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, from Italian immigrants, Russel served in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. He then studied at University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Russel founded the English Languages Dubbers Association of Rome (ELDA) in 1954, providing dubbing services for films and becoming the leading English dubbing group in Europe.Variety advert from issue dated 12th May 1971. He was responsible for uniting all of the rival organizations operating in the city, and served as president until 1966, when he was succeeded by Roger Browne.Roger Browne interview
After making Burt Topper's War is Hell (1963), he went to Italy first appearing in the title role of La leggenda di Fra Diavolo. He then appeared in several sword and sandal and Eurospy films, including Secret of the Sphinx (1964) and Gladiators Seven (1964). Russel played Zorro in Behind the Mask of Zorro (1965); he had originally tested for the role of Walt Disney's Zorro but lost out to Guy Williams. Among Russel's starring roles are parts in the sci-fi epics Wild, Wild Planet (1965) and its sequel, War of the Planets filmed concurrently.
He left Italy for America in 1967, and later appeared in such films as The Hard Ride (1971) and Soul Hustler (1973).
He died on March 18, 2017, in Las Vegas, Nevada, aged 91, and is buried in Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery under his birth name, Antonio P. Russo.
Filmography +YearFilmRoleNotes1952HiawathaUncredited role. Directed by Kurt Neumann.1954The Silver ChaliceSicariiUncredited role. Directed by Victor Saville1955Jump into HellRadio OperatorUncredited role. Directed by David ButlerHighway PatrolJimmy WilsonSeason 1, Episode 11: "Retired Gangster", directed by Alvin Ganzer.1956Anything GoesFrench SailorUncredited role. Directed by Robert Lewis.1958King CreoleChicoUncredited role. Directed by Michael Curtiz.1959Don't Give Up the ShipLieutenant (s.g.)Uncredited role. Directed by Normal Taurog.Last Train from Gun HillPintoUncredited role. Directed by John Sturges.1961War Is HellSgt. KeeferDirected by Burt Topper.1962Fra DiavoloDirected by Leopoldo Savona.1963Il terrore dei mantelli rossiPaoloDirected by Mario Costa.LeslioDirected by Alberto De Martino.1964The Thief of DamascusJesenDirected by Mario Amendola.Rocco VardarelliDirected by Leopoldo Savona.Gladiators SevenKerosDirected by Alberto De Martino.Hercules Against the Moon MenTirteoVoice of the English version. Directed by Giacomo Gentilomo.Secret of the SphinxThomasDirected by Duccio Tessari.1965Behind the Mask of ZorroPatriciao / Alfonso / ZorroDirected by Ricardo Blasco.Three Weeks of LoveBudDirected by William E. Brusseau.1966Wild, Wild PlanetCmdr. Mike HalsteadDirected by Antonio Margheriti.War of the PlanetsTarget GoldsevenAlan MilnerDirected by Alberto Leonardi.Honeymoon, Italian StyleBarone FrescobaldiDirected by Mario Amendola.1971The Hard RideBig RedDirected by Burt Topper.1973Directed by Mino Guerrini.Soul HustlerEvin CalderDirected by Burt Topper.1984The Vegas Strip WarMorgan SteinmanTV movie directed by George Englund.
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