In his first film Russell had an un-credited role in It Happened at the World’s Fair, starring Elvis Presley. Throughout his contract with Disney, Russell starred in a series of films, including Follow Me, Boys! in 1966, and The One and Only, Original Family Band in 1968; the part of Russell’s babysitter went to Goldie Hawn, who was just breaking into the business at the time. He also starred in The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes in 1969, which co-starred Alan Hewitt.
When his contract with Disney was up, Russell became a minor league baseball player for the minor league franchise of the California Angels. In 1973, Russell tore his rotator cuff in one of his shoulders from a collision with another player. The injury ended his baseball career and caused him to return to acting.
In 1979 Russell starred in the made-for-television film Elvis. His portrayal of Elvis earned him a nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series at the Emmy Awards. He met actress Season Hubley on the set of the movie and the couple wed in 1979. They have one son together named Boston Russell, born in 1980. The couple divorced in 1983.
In 1983 Russell starred in the film Swing Shift, which co-starred Goldie Hawn. Although the film was a commercial flop, Russell and Hawn began dating and have been in a relationship together ever since. To this day, they have chosen not to marry, with Russell saying, "if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!" The couple has one son together, Wyatt, born in 1986. Russell also helped raise Kate Hudson and Oliver Hudson, Goldie’s kids from a previous marriage.
In 1987 Hawn and Russell teamed up again to co-star in the film Overboard, a film that was also a commercial disappointment. Following that film, Russell starred in several disappointing films and the slump almost ended his acting career altogether.
In 1989 Russell landed the lead in Tango & Cash, but only because Patrick Swayze dropped out. He was then chosen to star in Backdraft in 1991, when the studio couldn’t convince Dennis Quaid to star in the film. These two films put Russell back on the map as a box office actor.
Following those films he starred in Stargate in 1994, which co-starred James Spader. He earned a reported $7 million for the film. Russell then starred in Executive Decision in 1996, co-starring Halle Berry, John Leguizamo, Oliver Platt, Joe Morton, David Suchet, and Steven Seagal. For that film Kurt earned $7.5 million. Also in 1996 he co-wrote and starred in Escape from L.A., which co-starred Peter Fonda. He then starred in Vanilla Sky in 2001, with Tom Cruise, Penelope Cruz, and Cameron Diaz. For that part Russell took home $5 million.
Russell feels as though he has become an outcast in Hollywood because of his affiliation with the United States Libertarian Party.
Russell and Hawn have a seventy-two acre retreat outside of Aspen, Colorado, called Home Run Ranch. In 2003, they bought a mansion in Vancouver, Canada, to support their son Wyatt, who plays junior hockey.
YUDDY
