Michael Russell(XLI)
- Actor
- Additional Crew
- Director
Michael Russell is an American actor, writer, director, musician, and filmmaker. He began acting while serving as an active-duty officer in the U.S. Coast Guard after being cast in a principal speaking role in Miami. With approval from his command, he pursued acting during his off-duty time while continuing his military career.
As his Coast Guard assignments took him to Europe and later Japan, opportunities to act became more limited because of the demands of military service, international travel, and his work as a marine inspector and investigator. Wanting to remain connected to the entertainment industry, Russell earned an MFA in Motion Pictures and Television (Directing), allowing him to continue developing as a storyteller while serving overseas.
After retiring as a Lieutenant Commander following 19 years of service in leadership, marine investigations, vessel inspections, and international security, Russell relocated to Los Angeles to pursue acting and filmmaking full time. Throughout his career, he has worked on independent films, network television, streaming series, major motion pictures, commercials, voice-over productions, and live performances as a principal actor, background actor, director, military and technical advisor, and filmmaker in the United States, Europe, and Japan. His credits include Bachelor Party 2, Burn Notice, CSI: Miami, The Big Bang Theory, Will & Grace, The Ranch, Easy, In the Hero, and Star Trek: Picard, where he spent more than two hours in prosthetic makeup portraying an alien character. From 2023 to 2026, Russell temporarily relocated to Texas, where he focused on writing and recording original music, a passion he continues today. A multi-instrumentalist, he plays guitar, bass, drums, piano, and sings. He has also performed in several tribute bands portraying legendary rock artists, including Gene Simmons, Steven Tyler, and Joe Elliott.
Russell holds both an MBA and an MFA in Motion Pictures and Television (Directing). Now back in Los Angeles permanently, he continues to pursue acting, filmmaking, and music while seeking new opportunities in film and television.
As his Coast Guard assignments took him to Europe and later Japan, opportunities to act became more limited because of the demands of military service, international travel, and his work as a marine inspector and investigator. Wanting to remain connected to the entertainment industry, Russell earned an MFA in Motion Pictures and Television (Directing), allowing him to continue developing as a storyteller while serving overseas.
After retiring as a Lieutenant Commander following 19 years of service in leadership, marine investigations, vessel inspections, and international security, Russell relocated to Los Angeles to pursue acting and filmmaking full time. Throughout his career, he has worked on independent films, network television, streaming series, major motion pictures, commercials, voice-over productions, and live performances as a principal actor, background actor, director, military and technical advisor, and filmmaker in the United States, Europe, and Japan. His credits include Bachelor Party 2, Burn Notice, CSI: Miami, The Big Bang Theory, Will & Grace, The Ranch, Easy, In the Hero, and Star Trek: Picard, where he spent more than two hours in prosthetic makeup portraying an alien character. From 2023 to 2026, Russell temporarily relocated to Texas, where he focused on writing and recording original music, a passion he continues today. A multi-instrumentalist, he plays guitar, bass, drums, piano, and sings. He has also performed in several tribute bands portraying legendary rock artists, including Gene Simmons, Steven Tyler, and Joe Elliott.
Russell holds both an MBA and an MFA in Motion Pictures and Television (Directing). Now back in Los Angeles permanently, he continues to pursue acting, filmmaking, and music while seeking new opportunities in film and television.
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