Anthony Russell
Born: 1943-09-23
Known For: Acting
Biography
Anthony Russell (Anthony F. Russell) – American actor, musician, and stand-up comedian, born 22 September 1943 (no firm birthplace established). A multi-instrumentalist (trombone, piano, harmonica, guitar, ukulele) who graduated from Montclair State College with a major in trombone and a minor in piano, he worked his way through college in a show band that was later booked as a Las Vegas lounge act. He studied acting at HB Studios in New York and earned a membership in the Actors Studio, appearing in four of their stage productions. He also performed stand-up at The Comedy Store, The Improv, and other famed clubs, and opened for stars like Frankie Avalon, Julie London, and Joe Williams. His most notable film roles include Jerry the Bookie in Bugsy (1991, opposite Warren Beatty), a Bookie in Casino (1995, opposite Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci), the Busboy in Ed Wood (1994, directed by Tim Burton), Morrie Friedman in The Black Dahlia (2006, opposite Josh Hartnett and Mia Kirshner), Giovanni in Norbit (2007), and Nick the Jeweler in Everybody Wants to Be Italian (2007). On television he is best known for Tony Russo in Life with Bonnie (2002, 44 episodes), Mr. Lawton in Scrubs (2009), Chad Lite in The Office (2007), and guest appearances in NYPD Blue, Night Court, Home Improvement, Becker, Ghost Whisperer, and October Road. He has been active since 1969 and continues to work in Las Vegas as a stand-up comedian and at The Riviera Hotel.
Filmography
2013
- Maron as Old Friend
2007
- October Road
- Norbit as Giovanni
- Everybody Wants to Be Italian as Nick the Jeweler
2006
- The Black Dahlia as Morrie Friedman
2005
- The Office as Chad Lite
- Ghost Whisperer as Pete
2002
- Life with Bonnie as Tony Russo
- Dawg as Cemetery Man
2001
- Scrubs as Mr. Lawton
2000
- The Huntress
- Daddio as Truck Driver
- The Road to Flin Flon as Agent
1999
- Family Law as Maurice Alphonse
- Popular as Gary
1998
- Brother's Keeper as Store Owner
- Living Out Loud as Mo
- Winchell as Fitter
1996
- Sabrina, the Teenage Witch as Manager
- Arli$$ as Musician
- Profiler as Det. Sears
- Suddenly
1995
- Casino as Bookie
- The Pursuit of Happiness
1994
- Ed Wood as Busboy
- Hoggs' Heaven as Mr. Ralph
1993
- Diagnosis: Murder as Gus
- The John Larroquette Show as Louis
1992
- Mad About You as Dispatcher
- Jake Johannsen: This'll Take About An Hour as Earl
1991
- Bugsy as Jerry the Bookie
- Total Exposure as Harry
1990
- Backstreet Dreams as Sally
- El Diablo as Local #1
- Kid as Drunk
1986
- Stagecoach as Stage Ticket Clerk
1984
- Night Court as Mr. Rassulo
1982
- Madame's Place as Self