All about Kurt Russell's dad, Neil Oliver "Bing" Russell

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.

Who was Kurt Russell's parents?
Kurt attends Netflix's "The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two" Drive-In Event at The Grove on November 19, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Jesse Grant
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 birthBrattleboro, Vermont, USA
Died 8th April 2003 in Thousand Oaks, California, USA
Cause of death Cancer
Age 76 years
Zodiac sign Taurus
Nationality American
Hair colourBlack
Eye colourGrey
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)

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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)

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Neil Oliver "Bing" Russell's son
Kurt at the screening of 'Escape from New York' at the 2019 TCM 10th Annual Classic Film Festival in April 2019 in Hollywood, California. Photo: Emma McIntyre
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.

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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.

Goldie Hawn and Kurt
Goldie Hawn And Kurt Honored With Double Star Ceremony On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame in May 2017 in Hollywood, California. Photo: Steve Granitz
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

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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

Authors:
Priscillah Mueni avatar

Priscillah Mueni (Lifestyle writer) Priscillah Mueni is a lifestyle and entertainment content creator with more than 4 years of experience. She graduated from Meru University of Science and Technology with a Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering in 2019. In 2023, Priscillah finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. She has been writing articles on Briefly.co.za since 2019. Email: pshmueni@gmail.com

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