Brian Russell(LXI)
- Actor
Brian Russell is a US-born, Indigenous actor from Flagstaff, Arizona. He is a registered member of the Navajo Nation. His father, Dana Russell working in Native community outreach programs, while his mother Caroline a longtime educator. Brian is the second of four brothers. Having grown up on the reservation, a deep bond of native storytelling enriched his upbringing, and the beautiful allure of a long past tale of adventure, sacrifice, grief, and perseverance was instilled. But also the art of verbal communication, and how the speak, and speak with gusto, and confidence, and with authority, a rarity amongst his peers. This was massive in Brian's life, a turning point, to what would lead him into the craft of acting.
Having studied Business and with a minor in Theatre at Fort Lewis College, in Durango, Colorado. This is where his true calling had emerged, the love of performing and acting. It was a fortuitous moment when the opportunity to be apart a his first feature film, Rez Ball 2024, came calling, a moment that has seen him rise from background performer to speaking actor. His most recent work, George: Rise of a Revolutionary 2024, he was tasked with bringing back to life Tanacharison, leader of the Iroquois nation, and alongside George Washington single-handedly starting the French and Indian War.
Brian's influences into acting include performances from Adam Beach, in Smoke Signals 1998, so nuanced and sad. Dances with Wolves 1990, Wes Studi's stellar style, fierce and driven. Gary Farmer, in Dead Man 1995, so funny, loyal and with heart. These are just some of the many wonderful actors that have immensely inspired Brian.
He can be seen next in Calogero Carucci's, third feature film, Sue Thunder, Johnny Lightning 2026, a story that see's a Native woman embark into a plot of missing indigenous women, corruption, and greed.
Having studied Business and with a minor in Theatre at Fort Lewis College, in Durango, Colorado. This is where his true calling had emerged, the love of performing and acting. It was a fortuitous moment when the opportunity to be apart a his first feature film, Rez Ball 2024, came calling, a moment that has seen him rise from background performer to speaking actor. His most recent work, George: Rise of a Revolutionary 2024, he was tasked with bringing back to life Tanacharison, leader of the Iroquois nation, and alongside George Washington single-handedly starting the French and Indian War.
Brian's influences into acting include performances from Adam Beach, in Smoke Signals 1998, so nuanced and sad. Dances with Wolves 1990, Wes Studi's stellar style, fierce and driven. Gary Farmer, in Dead Man 1995, so funny, loyal and with heart. These are just some of the many wonderful actors that have immensely inspired Brian.
He can be seen next in Calogero Carucci's, third feature film, Sue Thunder, Johnny Lightning 2026, a story that see's a Native woman embark into a plot of missing indigenous women, corruption, and greed.
