- Russell's acting career began in the early 1990s with roles in Australian TV series such as Police Rescue and films such as Romper Stomper.
- In the late 1990s, Russell began appearing in US films such as the 1997 movie L.A. Confidential.
- Russell has been nominated for three Oscars, and in 2001, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his starring role in the film Gladiator.
- Russell is co-owner of National Rugby League team the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
- Russell's maternal grandfather, Stan Wemyss, was a cinematographer who, according to Russell, produced the first film by New Zealander Geoff Murphy, and was also named an MBE for filming footage of World War II.
- Two of Russell Russell's cousins, Martin and Jeff Russell are former New Zealand national cricket captains.
- When Russell was four years old, his family moved to Australia, where his parents pursued a career in film set catering.
- Russell has always had a special love of horses.
- In the 1988 Australian production of Blood Brothers, Russell played the role of Mickey.
- Russell once was in the Australian soap Neighbours.
- Russell co-starred with Denzel Washington in Virtuosity, and with Sharon Stone in The Quick and the Dead in 1995.
- Russell received three consecutive best actor Oscar nominations for The Insider, Gladiator and A Beautiful Mind.
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