All about Kurt Russell's dad, Neil Oliver "Bing" Russell
Neil Oliver "Bing" Russell was an American actor and owner of a Class A minor-league baseball club. He was best recognized as Kurt Russell's dad and Wyatt Russell's grandfather. Wyatt is an ex-major league baseball player.
Source: Getty Images
Growing up, Kurt Russell's dad was passionate about acting; hence, he pursued it at a tender age. He was also exposed to baseball but opted to own a club instead of playing the sport. Go through these details as they unpack his life and legacy.
Kurt Russell's dad's profile summary and bio
| Full name | Neil Oliver Russell |
| Nickname | Bing |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of birth | 5th May 1926 |
| Place of birth | Brattleboro, Vermont, USA |
| Died | 8th April 2003 in Thousand Oaks, California, USA |
| Cause of death | Cancer |
| Age | 76 years |
| Zodiac sign | Taurus |
| Nationality | American |
| Hair colour | Black |
| Eye colour | Grey |
| Height | 180 cm or 5'11" |
| Education | Business |
| Alma mater | Dartmouth College |
| Occupation(s) | Actor and owner of the Portland Mavericks |
| Years active | 1951–1990 |
| Spouse | Louise Crone (m. 1946) |
| Children | 4 (including Kurt Russell) |
| Parents | Ruth Vogel Stewart and Warren Oliver Russell |
| Relatives | Matt Franco (grandson) and Wyatt Russell (grandson) |
How old was Bing Russell when he died?
Neil Oliver "Bing" Russell was born on 5th May 1926 in Brattleboro, Vermont, USA, to Ruth Vogel Stewart and Warren Oliver Russel. He died on 8th April 2003 in Thousand Oaks, California, USA. He was 76 years old when he died.
Education and early career
Bing was raised around the New York Yankees' spring training camp in St. Petersburg. His father ran a floatplane service; hence, he was an unofficial mascot of the New York Yankees. He was a student at Brattleboro High School, where he developed an interest in being an actor.
Neil made his acting career debut in the film Calvary Patrol. He later played Robert in The Magnificent Seven in 1960. He later landed roles in the following movies and TV shows:
- The Guns of Will Sonnett (1967–1969)
- The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969)
- Longstreet (1972)
- Runaway! (1973)
- The Rockford Files (1974)
- The Apple Dumpling Gang (1975)
- Emergency! (1973–1975)
- Little House on the Prairie (1976)
- Elvis (1979)
- Tango & Cash (1989)
Source: Getty Images
Did Kurt Russell's dad play in Bonanza?
Yes, Kurt Russell's father's Bonanza role was among his first acting roles. Who is Kurt Russell's dad Bonanza? He features as Deputy Clem. Clem was Sheriff Roy's deputy and is friends with the Cartwrights. He takes over as the Virginia City Sheriff when Roy is away.
Did Kurt Russell's dad own a baseball team?
Besides acting, Kurt Russell's dad owned Portland Maverick, the only independent team in the Short Season Northwest League. He kept a 30-man roster, and his motto was fun. He also hired the first female baseball general manager in professional baseball.
Neil's team had the highest attendance in minor league history. The team and archival footage of Kurt Russell's father were featured in the documentary The Battered Bastards of Baseball in 2014.
Recognition
In 1974, the Sporting News honoured Neil Oliver Russell as the minor league executive of the year. In 2020, he was posthumously inducted into the Hall of Great Westerners of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.
Who are Kurt Russell's parents?
In 1945, while working at Teddy's Restaurant in Newport, New Hampshire, Russell's coworker introduced him to Louise "Lulu" Crone, who would later become Bing Russell's wife. Lulu officially became Neil Oliver's wife in 1946, and they remained married until his death.
How many kids did Bing Russell have?
The couple had four children: Jill, Jamie, Jody and Kurt Russell. Jill's son, Matt Franco, played for Westlake High, and Kurt played for the Portland Mavericks.
Source: Getty Images
Kurt Russell
Kurt Russell (born 17th March 1951) is an American actor. He started acting at 12 and is famous for his feature in The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters (1963–1964). Kurt shared a platform with his father in the movie Elvis, where he portrayed Elvis Presley, and his father was featured as Vernon Presley.
He is also known for the following acting roles:
- Lee Shaw in Monarch: Legacy of Monsters
- Ego in What If...?
- Elvis Presley in Elvis
- Mr. Nobody in F9
- Santa Claus in The Christmas Chronicles 2
- Mr. Nobody in The Fate of the Furious
- Martin Duran, Sr. in Crypto
- Randy Lloyd / The Narrator in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
- Sheriff Franklin Hunt in Bone Tomahawk
- Crunch Calhoun in The Art of the Steal
What did Bing Russell die of?
Neil Oliver "Bing" died on 8th April 2003 in Thousand Oaks, California. He succumbed to complications related to cancer.
Neil Oliver "Bing" Russell, Kurt Russell's dad, had an acting career for over four decades. He was featured in more than 100 TV productions. He also explored his passion for baseball by owning a club.
READ ALSO: Bobby Sherman's sons, family, and parents: Where are they today?
Briefly.co.za compiled informative details about Bobby Sherman's sons, family and parents. Bobby was a teen rave in the early 1960s until the 90s. His sons have since then remained in the shadow of their father's fame and success. Where are they?
Bobby Sherman accidentally got into the entertainment industry but made the most of it. Besides his career success, he is a humanitarian, and his love for family compelled him to join the Los Angeles Police Department as a medical training officer.
Source: Briefly News
