Born into the bright and sleepy lights of Los Angeles, California, Russell Moss aspired to be a performer, a natural development for a young man who is a descendant of a long line of thespians and Hollywood creatives. His great grandfather was an MGM silent screen contract player, and his grandfather, a blacklisted screenwriter whose Hollywood pals were Don Seigel, Warner Anderson, Maurice Nobel, Dore Schary, to name a few and a second cousin, Dustin Hoffman.
Russell’s acting’ journey began at 16 when he was cast as the lead in a Christmas Horror Movie called “Here Comes Santa Claus.” He received his SAG card at 17 and secured top representation with Herb Tannen & Assoc, a top voice over agent and Abbie Greschlers, Diamond Artists whose list of clients included, Olivia DeHavilland, Jack Klugman, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.
Russell landed several commercials including a national campaign for Pepsi and Disney’s “Queen Mary” attraction in Southern California. Russell starred in Fred Dekkers’ “Night of the Creeps” for Tri-Star and appeared in Danielle Steel’s “Crossings” for Aaron Spelling Productions as a cockney sailor who “dies in the arms” of Cheryl Ladd.
Russell received his Bachelors Degree at Cal State Northridge, studied Film Acting at Warner Brothers Studios Film Actors Workshop. He was a Tour Guide at Universal Studios, Hollywood for four years and later became a ‘Backlot’ Guide featured as the ‘Six Million Dollar Man.’
Russell became a member of the prestigious Occidental College Summer Repertory and appeared as Romeo in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”, and as Eugene Marchbanks in George Bernard Shaw’s “Candida.” He was a featured member of the Gilbert and Sullivan Repertory and starred as Bobby in Glendale Civic Theaters Production of “The Boy Friend”.
Hired as a Production Assistant at the renown “CAST” Theater in Hollywood, Russell later formed Theater For Rent Productions with then Artistic Director Randy J. Clifton. Their show “Hollywood Serenade,” an authentic recreation of a 1940’s Radio Show had extended runs in Las Vegas, Laughlin NV. and Branson MO. Adding additional credits to his name as Master of Ceremonies ‘Howie Carlisle’ and as ‘Deputy Tate’ in the Musical “Sagebrush” starring Hoyt Axton and Ruth Buzzi.
Performing in several shows with a rigorous schedule of 4 shows a day, 6 days a week, Russell’s unique ability to remember peoples names became a focal point of the shows. Word of mouth spread, and soon he was asked to headline two Branson Musical Shows, Ragtime Lil and Banjo Banjo and Jukebox Jamboree.
Performing for thousands of people, he honed his craft and decided to invest in his own ‘Cabaret’ where he could write, direct and headline. Garnering quite a reputation as a ‘song and dance man,’ he and his business partner, Brad Zumwalt created one of the top tourist destinations in the State of Indiana. “The Boggstown Cabaret,” located in Boggstown, Indiana, a haunted building, built in 1872, surrounded by corn fields, has become a huge tourist destination. Russell has performed in well over 2500 shows at the legendary venue.
In addition to the Cabaret, in 2008, Russell and Brad opened the Palace Theater in Brown County, Nashville, Indiana. Forming their new Company – Golden Ticket Productions, they began writing, producing and directing their own original shows including the Hit Musical, “Platinum Girls.” An original ‘Concept’ Album was released on Broadway Records in 2020, featuring Broadway stars Beth Leavel, Brenda Braxton, and Debbie Gravitt.
Other productions include a series of “comedic musical” “Murder Mysteries,” the hit Christmas show “Believe” – A Brown County Christmas, a mainstay at the famous Brown County Playhouse for over ten years and Russell’s one man show – “Ol’ Blue Eyes,” the music of Frank Sinatra.
Now, back in New York, he continues to pursue new opportunities in Television, Film and Stage.
He looks forward to his next big adventure in the city that never sleeps, “New York New York”…………..
Cuz, if he could make it in Boggstown, Indiana, he can make it anywhere. 😎