The United States Stephen Russell/Birthplace: New York, New York Date of Birth: January 4, 1935 Stephen Russell is an American actor. He has been acting since the 1950s and appeared in more than 100 films and television shows. His famous film roles include John Merrick in The Elephant Man (1980), Ben Gunn in No Country for Old Men (2007), and General Zod in Superman III (1983). He was born Stephen Russell on January 4, 1935, in New York City. His mother was Lillian (née Katz) Russell; his father was Abraham Russell. He has one brother, David. After graduating from high school, he joined the Army where he worked as a messenger for three years. Thereafter, he went to Chicago to study drama at the Goodman Theatre School. After finishing his studies, he moved to London where he started working in the British theatre. In 1958, he came back to New York City and started appearing in television series such as Route 66, Naked City, and The Untouchables.