    kurt vogel russell (born march 17, 1951) is an american actor. his first acting roles were as a child in television series, including a lead role in the western series the travels of jaimie mcpheeters (1963â64). in the 1970s, he signed a ten-year contract with the walt disney company, where he became, according to robert osborne, the "studio's top star of the '70s".introduction by robert osborne to the tcm premiere of the barefoot executive, april 13, 2007. in 1979, russell was nominated for an emmy award for the made-for-television film elvis. in 1983, he was nominated for a golden globe award for best performance by an actor in a supporting role in a motion picture for his performance opposite meryl streep in the 1984 film, silkwood. during the 1980s, russell was cast in several films by director john carpenter, including anti-hero roles such as former army hero-turned robber snake plissken in the futuristic action film escape from new york and its 1996 sequel, escape from l.a., antarctic helicopter pilot r.j. macready in the horror film the thing (1982), and truck driver jack burton in the dark kung-fu comedy/action film big trouble in little china (1986), all of which have since become cult films. in 1994, russell had a starring role in the military science fiction film stargate. in the mid-2000s, his portrayal of u.s. olympic hockey coach herb brooks in miracle (2004) won the praise of critics. in 2006, he appeared in the disaster-thriller poseidon, and in 2007, quentin tarantino's death proof segment from the film grindhouse. == early life == russell was born in springfield, massachusetts, to actor neil oliver "bing" russell and dancer louise julia (crone) russell.{{cite web|url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/39/kurt-russell.html |title=kirk russell film reference bio |pub
1951_births 20th-century_American_male_actors 21st-century_American_male_actors American_libertarians American_male_child_actors American_male_film_actors American_male_television_actors El_Paso_Sun_Kings_players Living_people Male_actors_from_California Male_actors_from_Massachusetts Massachusetts_Libertarians People_from_Palm_Desert,_California People_from_Springfield,_Massachusetts People_from_the_Greater_Los_Angeles_Area