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Mark Russell Biography (1932-)

Original name, Mark Ruslander, name legally changed, 1956; born August 23, 1932, in Buffalo, NY; son of Marcus Joseph (an oil company employee) and MarieElizabeth (Perry) Ruslander; married; wife's name Becky (divorced); married Alison Kaplan (a radio station advertising and promotion manager), December 17, 1978; children: (first marriage) Monica, John, Matthew. Career: Comedian and political satirist, best known for his regular appearances on PBS. Worked as a pianist in various clubs and bars in and around Washington, DC, 1956-58; Carroll Arms Bar, Washington, DC, comedian and pianist, 1958-61; Shoreham Hotel, Washington, DC, comedian and pianist, 1961-81; Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, CA, author of the syndicated column "Mark Russell's World," 1975-. Military service: U.S. Marine Corps, 1953-56. Member:American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, American Federation ofMusicians. Awards, Honors: Elizabeth Ann Seton Award, Sons of the American Revolution, 1975; Mark Twain Award for political comedy, International Platform Association, 1980 and 1986; Litt.D., Union College, 1987; L.H.D., Canisius College, 1988; L.H.D., Goucher College, 1990; Lucy Award, Shea's Buffalo, 1992; National Humor Treasure Award, National Humor Conference, 1995; named Washingtonian of the year, Washingtonian, 1996. Addresses: Office: P.O. Box 9904, Washington, DC 20016.

Nationality

American

Gender

Male

Occupation

comedian, satirist

Birth Details

August 23, 1932

Buffalo, New York, United States

Famous Works

• CREDITS
• Television Appearances
• Series
• The Starland Vocal Band Show, CBS, 1977
• Host (with others), Real People, NBC, 1979-84
• Specials
• Mark Russell Comedy Specials, PBS, bimonthly, 1975--
• Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope Presents a Celebration with Stars of Comedyand Music, NBC, 1981
• Channel 3, Moscow, with Mark Russell, PBS, 1986
• Humor and the Presidency, HBO, 1987
• A Mark Russell Songbook, PBS, 1987
• A Mark Russell Songbook II, PBS, 1989
• Spike and Company: Do It A Cappella, PBS, 1990
• Welcome Home, America! A USO Salute to America's Sons and Daughters, ABC, 1991
• Mark Russell's England, PBS, 1991
• Listen Up! Voices of Celebration in Education, PBS, 1992
• A Mark Russell Songbook III, PBS, 1992
• Mark Russell's Irish Fling, PBS, 1993
• Mark Russell's 1993, PBS, 1993
• But.Seriously, Showtime, 1994
• Mark Russell's 1994 (also known as Mark Russell Comedy Specials), PBS, 1994
• Mark Russell's Great Alaska Trek, PBS, 1994
• Mark Russell's 1995 (also known as Mark Russell Comedy Specials), PBS, 1995
• Mark Russell's Tour de France, PBS, 1995
• "Gulliver's Travels," Great Books, The Learning Channel, 1996
• Mark Russell Looks at Campaign '92 (also known as Mark RussellComedy Specials), PBS, 1996
• Mark Russell's Viva Italia!, PBS, 1996
• Mark Russell's 1997 Year-End Review, PBS, 1997
• Awards Presentations
• The 1st Annual American Comedy Awards, ABC, 1987
• The 2nd Annual American Comedy Awards, ABC, 1988
• The 3rd Annual American Comedy Awards, ABC, 1989
• The 5th Annual American Comedy Awards, ABC, 1991
• Episodic
• Occasional commentator for Good Morning, America, ABC; appeared inInside Politics Weekend, CNN; appeared as a guest in numerous talk shows.
• Major Tours
• Russell has taken his political satire show on several nationwide tours.
• RECORDINGS
• Albums
• Mark Russell's Wild, Weird, Wired World of Watergate, Deep Six Records, 1973
• Assault with a Deadly Peanut, Deep Six Records, 1975
• Other recordings include The Face on the Senate Floor and Up the Potomac without a Canoe.
• WRITINGS
• Teleplays
• Specials
• Mark Russell Comedy Specials, PBS, bimonthly, 1975--
• Channel 3, Moscow, with Mark Russell, PBS, 1986
• Humor and the Presidency, HBO, 1987
• A Mark Russell Songbook, PBS, 1987
• A Mark Russell Songbook II, PBS, 1989
• Mark Russell's England, PBS, 1991
• A Mark Russell Songbook III, PBS, 1992
• Mark Russell's Irish Fling, PBS, 1993
• Mark Russell's 1995 (also known as Mark Russell Comedy Specials), PBS, 1995
• Mark Russell Looks at Campaign '92 (also known as Mark RussellComedy Specials), PBS, 1996
• Mark Russell's Viva Italia!, PBS, 1996
• Mark Russell's 1997 Year-End Review, PBS, 1997
• Nonfiction
• Presenting Mark Russell, Everest House (New York City), 1980

Further Reference

OTHER SOURCES

Books:

• Contemporary Authors, Volume 113, Gale (Detroit, MI), 1985.
• Contemporary Musicians, Volume 6, Gale, 1992.

Periodicals:

• Akron Beacon Journal, June 16, 1987, December 20, 1987.
• Arizona Republic, August 10, 1988, September 29, 1988.
• Christian Science Monitor, April 15, 1980, p. 8.
• Daily News September 16, 1988, (Los Angeles)
• Detroit Free Press, June 23, 1982, .
• Insight on the News, July 22, 1996, p. 10.
• Los Angeles Times Book Review, December 14, 1980, .
• Newsweek, July 19, 1976, p. 58.
• New York Times, January 19, 1981, p. 20.
• New York Times Magazine, November 9, 1969, p. 113.
• People Weekly, March 31, 1980, p. 63.
• Phoenix Gazette, September 30, 1988, October 4, 1988.
• Quest, January 30, 1980, .
• Washingtonian, January 30, 1993, p. 101.
• Washington Post, October 9, 1983, .
• Washington Post Book World, December 20, 1980, .
• Washington Post Magazine, June 27, 1976, p. 6.*