Charles Russell (March 31, 1918 – January 18, 1985) was an American movie and radio actor who appeared in 17 movies between 1943 and 1950. He was also a television producer who worked in Hollywood and Australia.
Acting career Born in New York City, Russell made his debut in an uncredited part as a ball player in Ladies' Day (1943). His last film was Chinatown at Midnight (1949). He originated the role of insurance investigator Johnny Dollar in the CBS Radio series Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar in 1949, playing the role until being replaced by Edmond O'Brien in 1950.
Russell married fellow 20th Century-Fox contract player Nancy Guild in 1947, and they had one child, a daughter. They divorced in 1950.
Producer Russell moved into television producing working on shows such as The Untouchables and Naked City.
He worked for a number of years in Australia at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). John Cameron, head of drama at ABC in the 1970s, said Russell "was a man of great talents, who had developed a drinking problem to help him cope with the pressures of American network television. He was winning his battle, but still had bad spells. He gave ABC a great shot in the arm, and built a degree of professionalism in its drama filming that continued to pay dividends long after he returned to America." Russell died in Beverly Hills, California.
Filmography as Actor Year Title Role Notes1943 Ladies' Day Ball Player Uncredited1943 Bombardier Instructor 1944 The Purple Heart Lt. Kenneth Bayforth 1945 Captain Eddie Sgt. Jim Reynolds 1946 Behind Green Lights Arthur Templeton Johnny Comes Flying Home Miles Carey Wake Up and Dream Lieutenant Coles 1947 The Late George Apley Howard Boulder Beyond Our Own Peter Rogers 1948 Give My Regards to Broadway Arthur Waldron Jr. Canon City Tolley Night Wind Ralph Benson Inner Sanctum Harold Dunlap Trouble Preferred Lt. Rod Brooks 1949 Tucson Gregg Johnson Mary Ryan, Detective Detective Baker Uncredited Chinatown at Midnight Fred Morgan 1950 Breakthrough U.S. Soldier Uncredited, (final film role)
Select Producing Credits The Untouchables (1959–60) - producer The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1962) - producer Arrest and Trial (1963) – producer Naked City (1962–63) - producer Judd for the Defense (1967–68) - producer Devlin (1971) - executive producer The Survivor (1972) - script editor Seven Little Australians (1973) - executive producer Ben Hall (1975) Games for Parents and Other Children (1975) - producer
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