Biography

Nipsey Russell

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Born
October 13, 1918 · Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Died
October 2, 2005 · New York City, New York, USA (cancer)
Birth name
Julius Russell
Nicknames
- The Poet Laureate of Television
- The Poet Laureate of Comedy
- Harlem's Son of Fun
- Nipsey
Height
5′ 9″ (1.75 m)

Julius "Nipsey" Russell was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1918. He got his start in Rock and Roll Review and other music revues in the 1950s. In the 1960s Russell achieved his first major role as Officer Anderson in Car 54, Where Are You? (1961). After being on the show for a year, Russell was a mainstay on variety shows, appearing on "Laugh-In", The Dean Martin Show (1965), and "The Jackie Gleason Show", among many others. He also appeared on many small shows in the 1960s as an always-unique personality who would liven up almost any program. As the 1970s approached, Nipsey Russell became a popular game show panelist, appearing on "To Tell The Truth", Match Game PM (1975), and many others. Nipsey was known as television's poet laureate on such shows as "The Tonight Show" and many other popular talk shows of the day.

Nipsey's film roles were remarkably scarce, but he will always be remembered for his role of the Tin Man in the 1978 remake of "The Wizard of Oz, The Wiz (1978). The movie was a box office failure, but since that time the movie has been considered a cult classic. But Russell's skill cannot be judged solely by his television and movie appearances. He was an accomplished actor and singer on stage and had a strong presence on Broadway for many years.
- IMDb mini biography by: Scott msa0510@mail.ecu.edu.

Delivered standard four-line topical poems as part of his routine. An example: "The opposite of pro is con/That fact is clearly seen/If progress means move forward/Then what does Congress mean.".
Met a young, unfamiliar actress/singer named Della Reese at one of the nightclubs in New York City; the two became best friends until his death in 2005.
Obtained the rank of captain in the army during World World II, when African-American officers were very rare and segregation was official policy.
Had a singing/dancing background. He danced with the Ragamuffins of Rhythm.
Served in Europe as a captain in the United States Army in World War II.

I've always had the ability to manipulate words and communicate ideas and thoughts. Writing poems is very simple to do....I start with the joke line and write backward.
When asked why he never married: I have trouble living with myself, how could I live with anyone else?

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