# William Russ

William Russ (born October 20, 1950) is an American actor and television director. He played Alan Matthews on the sitcom Boy Meets World (1993–2000) and appeared in the television series Wiseguy, the soap operas Another World and The Young and the Restless and the feature films The Right Stuff (1983), Pastime (1990) and American History X (1998).

## Career

Russ' acting first began on the New York stage before he embarked onto a television and film career. In 1977, he had his first supporting role in Death Bed: The Bed That Eats. This film would not be officially released until 2003.
During the 1980s, Russ found work in more supporting roles such as Crisis at Central High (1981), a television film also starring Academy Award winning actress Joanne Woodward, The Border (1981), The Right Stuff (1983) as Slick Goodlin, St. Elsewhere (1986) and Crime Story (1986).
He continued finding work in both television and film. He also guest-starred in the television series Miami Vice in the notable 1985 episode "Evan" as the title character, an ATF agent who shared a history with Don Johnson's character, Sonny Crockett. He made fourteen appearances on the 1987–1990 crime drama Wiseguy as Roger Lococco.
Russ received critical acclaim when he starred in Pastime (1991) as Roy Dean Bream, a veteran minor league hurler who mentors a young phenomenon. The role earned him a nomination at the 1992 Independent Spirit Awards for "Best Male Lead."
In 1993, he was cast as Alan Matthews on the television sitcom Boy Meets World. Russ played this role until the series ended in 2000. Russ also directed several episodes of the series during the last three seasons. His other television directing credits include directing one episode of both Lizzie McGuire and Rude Awakening.
However, he continued performing in other series and films throughout his time on Boy Meets World, primarily television films. In 1998, he performed as Danny and Derek Vinyard's father in the critically acclaimed American History X. Later, he starred in the short-lived television serial drama Mister Sterling.
In fall 2009, it was announced that Russ would be cast as the new character Tucker on The Young and the Restless. Russ' time on the show was short, however, as it has been announced the role of Tucker was being recast with Stephen Nichols replacing Russ in the role.
Russ is the star of the comedy web series Home at Last. In the series, he portrays "Bob", a homeless man who moves in with the son he abandoned at birth.
In 2014, Russ reprised his role of Alan Matthews from Boy Meets World on its spinoff Girl Meets World. In season 2, he joined the production crew, and directed one episode, being the only cast member to direct episodes of both Boy Meets World and Girl Meets World.

## Filmography

Film :
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1977 | Death Bed: The Bed That Eats | Sharon's Brother | |
| 1979 | Just You and Me, Kid | Demesta | |
| 1980 | Cruising | Paul Gaines | |
| 1981 | Cattle Annie and Little Britches | Little Dick Raidler | |
| 1982 | The Border | Jimbo | |
| 1983 | The Right Stuff | Slick Goodlin | |
| 1984 | Courage | Sonny | |
| 1985 | Beer | Merle Draggett | |
| 1987 | Wanted: Dead or Alive | Danny Quintz | Tour of Duty - Sgt Michaels |
| 1987 | Dead of Winter | Rob Sweeney | |
| 1988 | The Unholy | Luke | |
| 1989 | Disorganized Crime | Nick Bartkowski | |
| 1991 | Pastime | Roy Dean Bream | |
| 1992 | Traces of Red | Michael Dobson | |
| 1993 | Aspen Extreme | Dave Ritchie | |
| 1997 | When Danger Follows You Home | Det. Tyler Barnes | |
| 1998 | American History X | Dennis Vinyard | |
| 2001 | Buck Naked Arson | Ranger Lightcap | |
| 2001 | Life as a House | | Uncredited |
| 2009 | Gary's Walk | Vernon | |
| 2009 | Pawn | Justin Elliot Randolph | Short film |
| 2009 | A Fork in the Road | Det. Ross | |
| 2010 | 1,001 Ways to Enjoy the Missionary Position | Evan | |
| 2011 | Green Guys | Peter Donnelly | |
| 2012 | California Solo | Rusty | |
| 2013 | Drones | General Lawson | |
| 2018 | Between Waves | Sonny | |
| 2019 | Father By Law | Dale | Short film |
| 2023 | Founders Day | Mr. Jackson | |
Television :
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1978 | Another World | Burt McGowan | Unknown episodes |
| 1981 | Crisis at Central High | J.O. Powell | TV movie |
| 1982 | CBS Library | Rattlesnake | Episode: "Robbers, Rooftops and Witches" |
| 1982 | Rehearsal for Murder | Frank Heller | TV movie |
| 1982 | The Dukes of Hazzard | Josh Scroggins | Episode: "The New Dukes" |
| 1983 | Remington Steele | Chance McCormick | Episode: "Steele's Gold" |
| 1983 | V | Brad | TV miniseries |
| 1985 | Riptide | Mack McPherson | Episode: "Polly Want an Explanation" |
| 1985 | Miami Vice | Evan Freed | Episode: "Evan" |
| 1985 | Hunter | Jack Lachman | Episode: "Fire Man" |
| 1985 | Command 5 | J.D. Smith | TV movie |
| 1985 | The Long Hot Summer | Jody Varner | TV movie |
| 1986 | St. Elsewhere | Patrick O'Casey | Episodes: "Time Heals (1)", "Time Heals (2)" |
| 1986 | Blood & Orchids | Lloyd Murdoch | TV movie |
| 1986 | Second Serve | Josh | TV movie |
| 1986 | Houston: The Legend of Texas | William Travis | TV movie |
| 1986 | Crime Story | Det. Wes Connelly | Episodes: "Pilot (1)", "Pilot (2)", "Crime Pays" |
| 1987 | Tour of Duty | Sgt. Early Ray Michaels | Episode: "War Lover" |
| 1988 | The Loner | Jake Wilis | TV movie |
| 1988–1990 | Wiseguy | Roger Lococco | 14 episodes |
| 1989 | Nasty Boys | Ben Farlow | TV movie |
| 1990 | Capital News | Redmond Dunne | 13 episodes |
| 1990 | A Promise to Keep | Carl | TV movie |
| 1991 | Gabriel's Fire | Brad Fixx | Episode: "Truth and Consequences" |
| 1991 | The Young Riders | Roger | Episode: "Daisy" |
| 1991 | Crazy From the Heart | Dewey Whitcomb | TV movie |
| 1992 | Bad City Story | Jim Malone | Unsold TV pilot |
| 1992 | Drive Like Lightning | Boll Donner | TV movie |
| 1992 | Middle Ages | Terry | 3 episodes |
| 1993 | The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. | Jack Randolph | Episode: "Socrates' Sister" |
| 1993 | CBS Schoolbreak Special | Coach Jim Doane | Episode: "Other Mothers" |
| 1993 | seaQuest DSV | Rusty Thomas | Episode: "Brothers and Sisters" |
| 1993–2000 | Boy Meets World | Alan Matthews | Main role, 120 episodes, Directed 9 Episodes |
| 1994 | Viper | Mr. Townsend | Episode: Pilot |
| 1995 | Big Dreams and Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story | Bill West | TV movie |
| 1995 | The Marshal | Loyal Truscott | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 1995 | Legend | Wild Bill Hickok | Episode: "The Life, Death, and Life of Wild Bill Hickok" |
| 1995 | Trail of Tears | David | TV movie |
| 1996 | Have You Seen My Son | Van Stein | TV movie |
| 1996 | A Husband, a Wife and a Lover | Art Maskin | TV movie |
| 1996 | Nash Bridges | Scott Lamont/"The Monk" | Episode: "Trackdown" |
| 1997 | Night Sins | Sheriff Steiger | TV miniseries |
| 1997 | Stargate SG-1 | Capt. Jonas Hansen | Episode: "The First Commandment" |
| 1999 | A Secret Life | Mark Whitman | TV movie |
| 1999 | Replacing Dad | George Marsh | TV movie |
| 1999 | Come On Get Happy: The Partridge Family Story | Joseph Bonaduce | TV movie |
| 2000 | Ally McBeal | Michael Bassett | Episodes: "Two's a Crowd", "Without a Net" |
| 2000 | Level 9 | Agent Colter | Episode: "A Price to Pay" |
| 2001 | Touched by an Angel | Prof. Thomas North | Episode: "Holy of Holies" |
| 2002 | The Division | Jesse Whalen | Episode: "Shelby" |
| 2002 | Crossing Jordan | D.A. Jack Olson | Episode: "There's No Place Like Home" |
| 2002 | MDs | James Wiles | Episode: "A La Casa" |
| 2002 | Robbery Homicide Division | Elliot Ayers | Episode: "City of Strivers" |
| 2003 | Mister Sterling | Tommy Doyle | Main role, 10 episodes |
| 2003 | Dragnet | Ted Paris | Episode: "Redemption" |
| 2003 | The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire | Rev. Deeker | Episode: "Sleeping Lions" |
| 2003 | Finding John Christmas | Hank McAllister | TV movie |
| 2004 | Silver Lake | Phil Patterson | TV movie |
| 2004 | Deadwood | Otis Russell | Episodes: "Jewel's Boot Is Made for Walking", "Sold Under Sin" |
| 2004 | CSI: NY | Mr. Prescott | Episode: "Creatures of the Night" |
| 2004 | JAG | Maj. Gen. Earl Watson | Episodes: "Fighting Words", "This Just In from Baghdad" |
| 2004 | NYPD Blue | Hal Matheson | Episode: "I Love My Wives, But Oh You Kid" |
| 2005 | The West Wing | Dan | Episode: "Message of the Week" |
| 2005 | Without a Trace | Max Cassidy | Episode: "Freefall" |
| 2005–2008 | Boston Legal | A.D.A Christopher Palmer | 5 episodes |
| 2006 | The Sopranos | Paul Calviano | Episode: "Moe n' Joe" |
| 2006 | Just Legal | Bartender | Episode: "The Bar" |
| 2006 | Reunion | Congress Clark | Episodes: "1995", "1996" |
| 2007 | Demons | Senator Carney | Unsold TV pilot |
| 2007 | Ghost Whisperer | Bill Bristow | Episode: :Dead to Rights" |
| 2007 | Numb3rs | Michael Shannon | Episode: "Money for Nothing" |
| 2007 | Standoff | Warren Keegan | Episode: "Road Trip" |
| 2007 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Jonah Quinn | Episode: "The Case of the Cross-Dressing Carp" |
| 2008 | Wildfire | Congressman Dean Nichols | Episode: "The More Things Change (1)", "The More Things Change (2)", "Friendship/Passion" |
| 2008 | The Ex List | Jimmy Bloom | Recurring role, 9 episodes |
| 2009 | The Mentalist | Dooley Gerber | Episode: "Black Gold and Red Blood" |
| 2009–2010 | The Young and the Restless | Tucker McCall | |
| 2010 | Cold Case | Tim Hudson | Episode: "The Last Drive-In" |
| 2011 | Home At Last | Bob | Episodes 1–6 |
| 2011 | 90210 | Salty's Place owner | Episode: "Up in Smoke" |
| 2011 | Leverage | Morris Beck | Episode: "The 10 Li'l Grifters Job" |
| 2012 | Criminal Minds | Donald Collins | Episode: "A Family Affair" |
| 2012 | Awake | Jim Mayhew | Episode: "Guilty" |
| 2012 | NCIS | Phillip Wickes | Episode: "The Tell" |
| 2014–2017 | Girl Meets World | Alan Matthews | Episodes: "Girl Meets Home for the Holidays", "Girl Meets Goodbye" (Directed "Girl Meets Hurricane") |
| 2015 | Scandal | Frank Holland | Episode: "Even the Devil Deserves a Second Chance" |
| 2017 | Colony | Hennessey | 3 episodes |
| 2017 | Grimm | Scott Mudgett | Breakfast in Bed |
| 2018 | Bosch | Captain Garwood | 3 episodes |
| 2019 | 9-1-1 | Chuck | 2 episodes |
| 2022 | Animal Kingdom | Tre | 3 episodes |

## Awards and nominations

Independent Spirit Awards
* 1992: Nominated, "Best Male Lead" – Pastime