Charles Russell, a talented movie and radio actor, was born on March 31, 1918, in the vibrant city of New York. He began his acting career in 1943, making his debut in an uncredited role as a ball player in the film "Ladies' Day" at RKO. Russell's first credited role was in the same year, in the World War II propaganda film "Bombardier" at RKO.
He went on to sign with 20th Century-Fox and appeared in another propaganda movie, "The Purple Heart" in 1944, a prestigious A-list picture written and produced by studio boss Darryl F. Zanuck. The film featured an impressive cast, including Dana Andrews, Richard Conte, and Farley Granger, who would go on to have longer and more successful careers than Russell.
One of Russell's most memorable films was "The Late George Apley" in 1947, where he played the role of Ronald Colman's son. The following year, he appeared in Fox's A-list musical "Give My Regards to Broadway" (1948),headlined by song-and-dance man Dan Dailey. That same year, he played his only two leads in the Fox B-picture "Night Wind" and in FilmClassics' "Inner Sanctum", a Poverty Row production directed by the incredibly prolific Lew Landers.
Russell also appeared as a second lead in two more Fox "B" pictures before moving over to Columbia for a supporting role in "Mary Ryan, Detective" (1949). His last picture was in support of Hurd Hatfield in Columbia's "Chinatown at Midnight" (1949).
In addition to his film career, Russell 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 at the beginning of the 1950 season.
In his personal life, Russell married fellow 20th Century-Fox contract player Nancy Guild in 1947, but they divorced in 1950. Charles Russell passed away on January 18, 1985, in Beverly Hills, California, at the age of 66.
