Russell Calabrese is a multifaceted animation professional, boasting an impressive array of skills that span across multiple disciplines. As a tireless advocate for the animation industry, he has held esteemed positions, including executive board member of The Animation Guild and Animation Peer Group Governor of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
In the distant past, Russell began his journey in the animation world by meticulously polishing and painting animation cels. He gradually ascended the ranks at prominent New York City studios, such as Perpetual Motion Pictures, Zander's Animation Parlour, and R/Greenberg Associates, working on a wide range of projects, including commercials, television specials, and feature films. In 1990, he made the bold decision to relocate to Los Angeles, where he went on to work for esteemed animation powerhouses, including Disney, Warner Bros., Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Film Roman, and many others.
Throughout his illustrious career, Russell has had the opportunity to hone his skills in various aspects of animation, including storyboards, layouts, animation, voices, design, producing, and directing. He has earned a remarkable seven nominations and three Emmy Awards for his work on "Steven Spielberg Presents Pinky and the Brain", "Camp Lazlo", and "Fanboy & Chum Chum". Additionally, he has served as a sequence director on the Oscar-nominated feature "Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius". More recently, Russell has worked as an Animation Timing Director at Walt Disney TV Animation on "Gravity Falls" and as an Assistant Director on Disney's Phineas & Ferb.
Currently, Russell resides in Huntington, Massachusetts, where he is dedicated to pursuing his personal passion projects, including animation, film, art, and music.
