Biography

Anthony Russell (Anthony F. Russell) – American actor, musician, and stand-up comedian, born 22 September 1943 (no firm birthplace established). A multi-instrumentalist (trombone, piano, harmonica, guitar, ukulele) who graduated from Montclair State College with a major in trombone and a minor in piano, he worked his way through college in a show band that was later booked as a Las Vegas lounge act. He studied acting at HB Studios in New York and earned a membership in the Actors Studio, appearing in four of their stage productions. He also performed stand-up at The Comedy Store, The Improv, and other famed clubs, and opened for stars like Frankie Avalon, Julie London, and Joe Williams. His most notable film roles include Jerry the Bookie in Bugsy (1991, opposite Warren Beatty), a Bookie in Casino (1995, opposite Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci), the Busboy in Ed Wood (1994, directed by Tim Burton), Morrie Friedman in The Black Dahlia (2006, opposite Josh Hartnett and Mia Kirshner), Giovanni in Norbit (2007), and Nick the Jeweler in Everybody Wants to Be Italian (2007). On television he is best known for Tony Russo in Life with Bonnie (2002, 44 episodes), Mr. Lawton in Scrubs (2009), Chad Lite in The Office (2007), and guest appearances in NYPD Blue, Night Court, Home Improvement, Becker, Ghost Whisperer, and October Road. He has been active since 1969 and continues to work in Las Vegas as a stand-up comedian and at The Riviera Hotel.