Kurt Russell has been in show business since was 12 and did a guest spot on Dennis the Menace. Russell is still going strong at 66, having just starred in The Fate of the Furious and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, which will-whatever else happens in 2017-end the year as two of the biggest blockbusters. From his early work in TV, to nearly a decade of work as the poster child for Disney’s live action film division in the 1960’s to 1970’s, to Captain Ron, Escape from New York, and Big Trouble in Little China in the 1980’s and the action movie 1990’s, best marked by Tombstone. There are some people who understand Tombstone is fundamentally awesome, and some people who are clearly wrong. Russell has several Westerns among his best films, and does his best work in the shoes of the everyman in an extraordinary situation. Deepwater Horizon, Backdraft, and-what I believe is the best acting of his career-as hockey coach Herb Brooks in Miracle all show Russell not as a glamorous movie star, but as the audience’s point of view into an incredible situation. It’s an exceedingly underrated talent in an actor. He’s tremendously likable and (admittedly he skates on this at times) there are movie stars you sometimes just want to spend two hours with, and Russell’s 50 plus years in Hollywood stand as a testament to his efficacy in connecting with filmgoers.
Kurt Russell’s Best 10
1. Tombstone (1993) Wyatt Earp
2. Miracle (2004) Herb Brooks
3. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) Ego
4. Deepwater Horizon (2016) Jimmy Harrell
5. Escape from New York (1981) Snake Plissken
6. Backdraft (1991) Stephen & Dennis McCaffery
7. Furious 7 (2015) Mr. Nobody
8. The Hateful Eight (2015) John Ruth
9. Bone Tomahawk (2015) Sheriff Hunt
10. The Fox and the Hound (1981) Copper
Honorable Mention: Stargate (1992) Col. Jack O’Neil
Oscars, Golden Globes & Emmys
Oscar Wins (0):
Oscar Nominations (0):
Golden Globe Wins (0): None
Golden Globe Nominations (1): Silkwood (1984)
Emmy Wins (0): None
Emmy Nominations (1): Elvis (1979)
My Favorite Russell Scene:
Hell’s Coming With Me!!! from Tombstone
Next Film: Russell is not currently attached to an upcoming film, but seeing as how he just did back-to-back blockbusters, he may be resting until they need Mr. Nobody again for Fast 9.