Bing Russell

Bing Russell

Born May 05, 1926 (Age: 99) Brattleboro, Vermont, USA

Biography

Neil Oliver "Bing" Russell (May 5, 1926 – April 8, 2003) was an American actor and Class A minor-league baseball club owner. He was the father of Hollywood actor Kurt Russell. Although best known as the deputy on Bonanza (1959) and Robert in The Magnificent Seven (1960), Russell's was also well known on a national level as the owner of the Portland Mavericks Baseball Club. Helming the only independent team in the class A Northwest League, Russell was an innovator. Before Bull Durham (1988), there were the Mavericks. Russell kept a 30 man roster because he believed that some of the players deserved to have one last season. His motto was simply one three lettered word - not WIN - although the Mavericks did just that - no, the word was FUN. He created a park that kept all corporate sponsorship outside the gates, hired the first female general manager in professional baseball, and the following year hired the first Asian American GM/Manager. That same season his team set a record for the highest attendance in Minor league history, and went on to win the pennant. Ex-major leaguers and never-weres who couldn't stop playing the game flocked to his June tryouts, which were always open to anyone that showed up. From as far away as Capetown, and France, players would head to Portland for a chance with Russell's Mavericks.
Neil Oliver "Bing" Russell (May 5, 1926 – April 8, 2003) was an American actor and Class A minor-league baseball club owner. He was the father of Hollywood actor Kurt Russell. Although best known as the deputy on Bonanza (1959) and Robert in The Magnificent Seven (1960), Russell's was also well known on a national level as the owner of the Portland Mavericks Baseball Club. Helming the only independent team in the class A Northwest League, Russell was an innovator. Before Bull Durham (1988), there were the Mavericks. Russell kept a 30 man roster because he believed that some of the players deserved to have one last season. His motto was simply one three lettered word - not WIN - although the Mavericks did just that - no, the word was FUN. He created a park that kept all corporate sponsorship outside the gates, hired the first female general manager in professional baseball, and the following year hired the first Asian American GM/Manager. That same season his team set a record for the highest attendance in Minor league history, and went on to win the pennant. Ex-major leaguers and never-weres who couldn't stop playing the game flocked to his June tryouts, which were always open to anyone that showed up. From as far away as Capetown, and France, players would head to Portland for a chance with Russell's Mavericks.
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Filmography

Dick Tracy

Dick Tracy

1990 as Club Ritz Patron Age: 63
Tango & Cash

Tango & Cash

1989 as Van Driver Age: 63
Sunset

Sunset

1988 as Studio Guard Age: 61
Overboard

Overboard

1987 as Elk Cove: Sheriff Earl Age: 61
The Apple Dumpling Gang

The Apple Dumpling Gang

1975 as Herm Dally Age: 49
Death Sentence

Death Sentence

1974 as Trooper Age: 48
The Sex Symbol

The Sex Symbol

1974 as Public Relations Man Age: 48
A Cry in the Wilderness

A Cry in the Wilderness

1974 as Mr. Griffey Age: 47
Runaway!

Runaway!

1973 as Fireman Age: 47
Satan's School for Girls

Satan's School for Girls

1973 as Sheriff Age: 47
Set This Town on Fire

Set This Town on Fire

1973 as Chuck Age: 46
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes

The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes

1969 as Angelo Age: 43
Journey to Shiloh

Journey to Shiloh

1968 as Greybeard Age: 42
The Hallelujah Trail

The Hallelujah Trail

1965 as Horner Age: 39
Cheyenne Autumn

Cheyenne Autumn

1964 as Braden's Telegraph Operator (uncredited) Age: 38
One Man's Way

One Man's Way

1964 as Tom Rayburn Age: 37
A Gathering of Eagles

A Gathering of Eagles

1963 as Captain (uncredited) Age: 37
The Stripper

The Stripper

1963 as Mr. Mulvaney Age: 37
How the West Was Won

How the West Was Won

1962 as Man (uncredited) Age: 36
Flashing Spikes

Flashing Spikes

1962 as Hogan Age: 36
Stakeout!

Stakeout!

1962 as Joe Age: 36
The Great Impostor

The Great Impostor

1960 as Morgan (uncredited) Age: 34
The Magnificent Seven

The Magnificent Seven

1960 as Robert Age: 34
Last Train from Gun Hill

Last Train from Gun Hill

1959 as Skag, Belden Hand Age: 33
The Horse Soldiers

The Horse Soldiers

1959 as Dunker, Yankee Soldier Amputee Age: 33
Rio Bravo

Rio Bravo

1959 as Cowboy Murdered in Saloon (uncredited) Age: 32
Good Day for a Hanging

Good Day for a Hanging

1959 as George Fletcher Age: 32
Cattle Empire

Cattle Empire

1958 as Douglas Hamilton Age: 31
Suicide Battalion

Suicide Battalion

1958 as Lt. Chet Hall Age: 31
Attack

Attack

1956 as Medic Age: 30
Cult of the Cobra

Cult of the Cobra

1955 as Age: 28
A Life at Stake

A Life at Stake

1955 as Bartender (uncredited) Age: 28
Big Leaguer

Big Leaguer

1953 as Age: 27