Kurt Russell landed a part in the Elvis Presley movie, It Happened at the World's Fair when he was 10 years old. In 1960, Walt Disney himself signed Russell to a 10 year contract. Once his stint as a child actor ended, he spent the early 1970's playing minor league baseball. In 1979, he gave a classic performance as Elvis Presley in John Carpenter's ABC-TV movie. He followed with roles in a string of well-received films: Used Cars, Escape from New York, The Thing and Silkwood. In 1983 he met Goldie Hawn when they worked together on Swing Shift. The two have lived together ever since. The movie was a failure - as was their next one together, Overboard. During the 1980's, Russell starred in a rash of disappointments: The Best of Times, Big Trouble in Little China and Winter People. Finally, his career seemed to be seriously stalled. He only landed Tango & Cash after Patrick Swayze dropped out; Dennis Quaid was the first choice for the part in Backdraft. In the end, these two roles were key in re-establishing him as a box-office draw. Russell and Goldie Hawn live on a 72-acre retreat, Home Run Ranch, outside of Aspen. He has two sons, Boston Russell (from a brief marriage to actress Season Hubley) and Wyatt Russell with Goldie Hawn).


Vanilla Sky (2001): $5,000,000
Soldier (1998/I) (2001): $15,000,000
Escape from L.A. (1996): $10,000,000
Executive Decision (1996): $7,500,000
Stargate (1994): $7,000,000

Rode along with the Chicago Fire Dept.'s Squad 5 in preparation for his role in Backdraft (1991). Father is Bing Russell a former baseball player, who played the deputy sherriff on "Bonanza" (1959) for 6 years. He is an FAA licensed Private Pilot holding single/multi- engine and instrument ratings. Father of Wyatt Russell (with Goldie Hawn). Partner of Goldie Hawn (1983 - present) 1 child. Atlanta Braves' first baseman, Matt Franco, is his nephew. Started Cosmic Entertainment with partner Goldie Hawn, her daughter Kate Hudson, and her son Oliver Hudson in 2003. Was the best man at Ted Nugent's wedding. Graduate of Thousand Oaks High School, Thousand Oaks, California with Michael Richards, Kramer from "Seinfeld" (1990). Class of 1969, who voted him "Best Looking.". Is a big fan of Elvis Presley, Patrick Rondat and Tom Robinson. In his audio commentary for The Thing (1982), he joked with director John Carpenter about the scene where he threw a stick of dynamite at the character Palmer (who was turning into the Thing) and how the explosion was more powerful than he had expected. In truth, he could have been seriously injured. The presence of Lee Van Cleef on the set of Escape from New York (1981) inspired him to talk in a raspy voice similar to Clint Eastwood's from the Man With No Name trilogy. Is good friends with stunt man Dick Warlock, who was his stunt double for over 20 years. Said in his audio commentary for Big Trouble in Little China (1986) that the test audiences reacted so well to the film that he thought for sure that he and director friend John Carpenter had a box office hit on their hands. However, the studio put so little effort into advertising the film that it ultimately didn't do as well at the box office but became a cult favorite instead. Made his film debut in the Elvis Presley film, It Happened at the World's Fair (1963). He later went on to play him in Elvis (1979/I) (TV), and to provide his voice in Forrest Gump (1994). Auditioned for the role of Flash Gordon (1980). The part went to Sam J. Jones instead. Is good friends with director John Carpenter. The two have collaborated on five different films: Elvis (1979/I) (TV), Escape from New York (1981), The Thing (1982), Big Trouble in Little China (1986) and Escape from L.A. (1996). Kate Hudson, daughter of his longtime companion Goldie Hawn, named her son Ryder Russell Robinson. The middle name is an homage to Kurt, whom Hudson always considered to be her father. Has two younger sisters. Received The Disney Legends Award 1998 for living up to the Disney principals of: The Disney Legends award has three distinct elements that characterize the contributions made by each talented recipient. The Spiral ... stands for imagination, the power of an idea. The Hand ... holds the gifts of skill, discipline and craftsmanship. The Wand and the Star ... represent magic: the spark that is ignited when imagination and skill combine to create a new dream. He acted as father to Kate Hudson by walking her down the aisle and giving her away at her wedding to rock star Chris Robinson. Was originally cast to play the cursed heroic knight Navarre in Ladyhawke (1985), while Rutger Hauer, who played the part of Navarre in the film, was the original choice to play the evil captain, even though Hauer had no interest in the part and was actually more interested in the part of the hero Navarre. When Russell dropped out of the project, Hauer took the role. Quit smoking cigars in 2006. Born at 10:42 AM (EST).