Russell Arthur Benson Jr. was born to Cynthia Lattof and Russell Benson. Russell Benson Sr. was a union plumber who had come back from Vietnam. Cynthia Lattof was a student at Gloucester State College. They divorced in 1979. Cynthia had moved Russell and his infant brother out to Sacramento, California where she met future husband Frank Russo. Frank adopted the two boys and Russell Arthur Benson Jr. name changed legally to Russell Austin Russo. The family then moved to Phoenix, Arizona before settling for a cross country drive in December 1982 to Long Branch, New Jersey where Frank's family lived. The family rented homes and duplexes while having three more children. In April 1992, the Russo family moved to Rumson, New Jersey. Russ finished his senior year of high school at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional and graduated in 1994.He then moved with long time girlfriend Laura Wood to Clearwater, Florida in June 1996. The relationship dissolved and in November 1997, Russell moved back to Rumson, New Jersey. Russ was studying business-finance at Brookdale College. In February 1999, he stumbled upon the Jewelbox Theatre. Jade Greene, the director of the theatre, was offering internships for acting classes. In the months to follow, he studied Alexander, Meisner, Stella Adler, Lee Strausberg and Method acting. Russ worked as a utility actor in various plays during the internship before landing a lead role in Clifford Oddet's classic "Awake & Sing" playing Moe Axelrod, a role previously performed by Sanford Meisner. Russ began traveling to NYC to study at Tisch in various acting workshops as well as working with the NJ Theatre Exchange. In March 2002, he landed the lead role in the Independent film "Envy" portraying a character with multiple personality disorder. "Envy" won the Buzz award at the NY Independent Film Festival. Russ continues to act in various plays and films.
Grandson of John Lattof, one of the founders of the famous Gortons in Gloucester, Massachusetts.
While filming the independent feature film "Land of the College Prophets", stayed in character, portraying Irish gangster Jonah Joe, throughout the entire production, In fact, most cast and crew assumed he was fresh off the boat from Ireland until the wrap party
"Best Supporting Actor" nomination at the 2005 B Movie Awards for his role of Irish Gangster Jonah Joe in "The Land of College Prophets"
He gained 30 lbs. of muscle to play the role of Irish Jonah Joe in "The Land of College Prophets"
Won the New Jersey State District 23 wrestling championship
Method Acting during an art piece film Give Me a Reason playing a psychotic punk, Russ was almost hit by a cab while filming a purse snatching scene and sprinting across the street with actor Alex Kikis during one take across from the Plaza near Central Park. LA Director Ariana Malik kept this footage within the context of the film
Interviewed and named Filmthreat Magazines Indie Actor to Watch July 2006.
Won a Best Actor award for the film "Williamsburg" at the 1st annual International Film Festival at Long Island Wine Country.
Maverick Movie Award Nominee Best Supporting Actor 2009 in a category with Academy Award Nominee Tom Berenger (Inception, Platoon) and Andre M. Hennicke (German Television Award Winning Actor).
(April 2005) filming the short drama "Prices" by director Thomas Torrey in which Russ plays con Porter Raggs.
(March 2005) working on the Le Wilhelm play "Look but You Better Not Touch" opposite actress Margaret Champagne. The play takes place in Missouri and explores the relationship between a retarded yet sexual young woman and an over eager rebel simpleton.
(February 2005) In Portugal filming "The Blake Farber Project", Farber is a cinema genuis who cames from photo royalty as the son of famed art photographer Robert Farber. He will be playing a messenger for a wealthy NYC businessman who discovers culture, betrayal and American companionship played by actress Margaret Champagne.
(August 2004) Filming the much anticipated short film "Devolution" directed by Justin Morrow.
(January 2005) Filming "Tom Devils New Year", a musical comedy in which he is playing an executive and prophet.
(April 2004) portraying Ron Goldman (Russ Russo) in an upcoming OJ Simpson Docu-drama due out in June coincidentally the 10th Anniversary of the famous double murder (Directed by Bob Morgan)
(September 2006) playing a Russian immigrant, Volgo the Red, who lives in his car in the Hale Manor Production Feature Film, London Betty, directed by Thomas Edward Seymour, starring opposite Margaret Champagne & Nicole Lewis.
(July 2004) playing the role of Julio Cortez in the feature film "A New Wave" with an ensemble cast of Andrew Keegan, Lacey Chabert, William Sadler, John Krasinski, Dean Edwards and Nicole Nadeau. Directed by Jason Carvey. Produced by Bruce Seymour.
(August 2003) Working on the independent feature film "Land of the College Prophets" written by Thomas Edward Seymour and directed by Mike Aransky. Starring Philip Guerette, Thomas Edward Seymour, Margaret Champagne and Chris Renna
(January 2004) The off-Broadway show "Better Places to Go" at the Creative Space Theatre playing Nathan, an abusive boyfriend to Britney and secret lover of Rosie (Margaret Champagne).
(November 2004) On location in New Paltz, New York filming the Independent Feature Film "Black Pearl" portraying Fari a warrior in the Huron tribe who is turned to the Darkside and shows up later in the film with war paint and a mohawk to defeat his former friend Kurupi, the Huron leader.
Won Best Actor, Manny Award at the 2014 Take Two Film Festival NYC
An Act of War fka The Projectionist.
