Born in Huntsville, Texas, Russell grew up in Houston where after a very celebrated athletic career in high school, he received a scholarship to Blinn College and later went on to attend the University of Houston and Texas Southern University where he majored in sociology. After several jobs ranging from drug store manager to furniture mover, to a longer than anticipated stay as a prison guard at the Texas Dept. of Corrections he found his way to the "boards" and never looked back.

When a friend convinced him to "try" acting he began at The Ensemble Theatre in Houston where he later graduated to the city's largest venue The Alley Theatre. After several critically acclaimed performances Russell's breakthrough role came as the explosive, yet tragically flawed, horn player Levee in August Wilson's 'Ma' Rainey's Black Bottom'. The inevitable move to New York followed where he beat the streets, studied and became a regular face on the Off-Broadway and regional theater circuit. His theatrical talents have taken him around the country numerous times as well as across the Atlantic to the London Stages. Intense and passionate became words commonly associated with his work and later, as a Wilson "hired gun", he originated and received rave reviews in the roles of Mister in 'King Hedley II' and Youngblood in 'Jitney' (winner 2002 Sir Laurence Olivier Award). The cross country move to Los Angeles has been beneficial as he has added significant and memorable film and television credits to his resume.

A jazz enthusiast and self-proclaimed "common man's gourmet chef", Russell lives in Los Angeles with his wife, writer Katrina Andrews and their two children Anya and Kai.