David O. Russell facts for kids

Quick facts for kids David O. Russell
Russell at the Paris premiere of American Hustle in February 2014
Born	(1958-08-20) August 20, 1958 (age 66)
Alma mater	Amherst College (B.A.)
Occupation	Film director screenwriter producer
Years active	1987–present
Spouse(s)	Janet Grillo ​ ​ (m. 1992; div. 2007)​
Partner(s)	Holly Davis (2007–present)
Children	2

David Owen Russell (born August 20, 1958) is an American film director, screenwriter, and producer. He has won many awards, including two British Academy Film Awards and a Golden Globe Award. He has also been nominated for five Academy Awards.

Russell started his career directing films like Flirting with Disaster (1996), Three Kings (1999), and I Heart Huckabees (2004). He became very successful with films such as The Fighter (2010), Silver Linings Playbook (2012), and American Hustle (2013). These three films were popular and praised by critics. They earned him three Academy Award nominations for Best Director. He also received nominations for his screenplays. His film Joy (2015) earned him another Golden Globe nomination. He also directed Amsterdam (2022).

David O. Russell's Early Life and School

David Owen Russell grew up in Larchmont, New York. His family was well-off. His parents worked for a publishing company called Simon & Schuster. His father was in sales, and his mother was a secretary. His father's family was Russian-Jewish, and his mother's family was Italian-American. His grandfather lost many relatives during a very sad time in history.

When he was 13, Russell made his first film for a school project. He used a Super 8 camera to film people in New York City. He went to Mamaroneck High School. There, he was known as the "Class Rebel." He loved movies when he was a teenager. Some of his favorite films were Taxi Driver and Chinatown. He wanted to be a writer. He started a newspaper in high school and wrote short stories. Since his parents worked in publishing, their home was full of books.

In 1981, Russell graduated from Amherst College. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He studied English and political science. His final paper was about the United States intervention in Chile from 1963 to 1973.

David O. Russell's Film Career

Starting Out: 1987–1994

After college, Russell traveled to Nicaragua. He taught in a program to help people learn to read. He worked many different jobs, like waiting tables and bartending. He also worked as a community organizer in Maine. He used video cameras to show poor living conditions. This became a documentary about Lewiston, Maine. Russell was also involved in community work in Boston. While working these jobs, he started writing short films.

Russell directed a documentary about immigrants from Panama in Boston. This led to a job on a PBS TV series. In 1987, Russell wrote and directed a short film called Bingo Inferno. It was about a mother who loved bingo too much. Two years later, he made another short film, Hairway to the Stars. Both films were shown at the Sundance Film Festival.

After making a successful short film for a Boston TV station, he received grants. His first feature film was Spanking the Monkey (1994). It was an independent film. The movie was well-liked by critics. It won him awards for Best First Screenplay and Best First Feature. It also won the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival.

Comedy Films: 1996–2008

His next film was Flirting with Disaster (1996). This was his second film with producer Dean Silvers. The movie is about a man (Ben Stiller) who searches for his birth parents. He travels with his wife and a social worker. The film was shown at the Cannes Film Festival. Most critics liked it. Film critic Roger Ebert said Russell found the "strong central line" for the story.

David O. Russell at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2011

The success of these films led to Three Kings (1999). This film was about the Gulf War. It starred George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, and Ice Cube. The story follows three American soldiers who plan to steal hidden gold. Russell used special filming techniques to make the movie feel real. He used handheld cameras. He also filmed with special film stock to get unique colors. He insisted on filming all explosions in one take. Three Kings was a big success. It earned over $100 million worldwide. Critics loved it, saying it mixed action, drama, and comedy well.

Russell's next film was I Heart Huckabees (2004). This was a comedy about life's big questions. The film received mixed reviews. It did not do well at the box office. However, actress Jennifer Lawrence later called it her favorite David O. Russell film.

Another film, Nailed, was a political comedy. Production on this film faced many delays. Russell stopped working on it in 2010. It was later released in 2015 under the new title Accidental Love.

Major Success and Awards: 2010–2015

In 2010, Russell directed The Fighter. This was a true story about boxer Mickey Ward. It starred Mark Wahlberg. The film showed Mickey's journey to become a champion. It also showed his tough relationship with his mother and half-brother. The film was a huge success. It earned $125 million. Many critics listed it as one of the best films of the year. The Fighter received seven Academy Award nominations. This included Best Picture and Best Director for Russell. Actors Christian Bale and Melissa Leo won awards for their roles.

Russell directed Jennifer Lawrence to three Academy Award nominations and a win for Silver Linings Playbook

Silver Linings Playbook (2012) was based on a book. Bradley Cooper played Pat, and Robert De Niro played his father. Jennifer Lawrence played Tiffany. She said Russell was her favorite director. The film was released in November 2012. It was praised by critics and earned a lot of money.

Silver Linings Playbook is about Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper). He is a former teacher who has a mental health condition. He moves back in with his family. The story shows how his relationship with Tiffany Maxwell (Jennifer Lawrence) grows. Russell was inspired by a special school his son attends. He felt he understood the story's emotions and humor.

Russell won many awards for Silver Linings Playbook. These included the Hollywood Director Award. He also won two Independent Spirit Awards for Best Director and Best Screenplay. The film won the People's Choice Award at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival. It received four Golden Globe Award nominations. Jennifer Lawrence won Best Actress for her role. The film also received eight Academy Award nominations. This included Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay for Russell. Jennifer Lawrence won Best Actress.

Russell with a bipartisan group of senators introducing the proposed bill, the Excellence in Mental Health Act in 2013

Russell's next film was American Hustle (2013). This was a comedy based on a real-life event from the 1970s. The story is about skilled con artists. They are forced to work with an FBI agent. Their plan involves a mayor and one of the con artist's wives. The film brought back many actors Russell had worked with before. These included Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, and Robert De Niro. The film received seven Golden Globe nominations. It won Best Motion Picture Comedy. Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence also won acting awards. It also received ten Academy Award nominations. The cast won a Screen Actors Guild Award for their performance.

In 2014, Russell announced he would direct a film about inventor Joy Mangano. Jennifer Lawrence played the main role in the film, titled Joy (2015). Filming began in February 2015. The movie was released on December 25, 2015. The film received good reviews. Critics praised Jennifer Lawrence's acting and Russell's direction. The film earned over $101 million worldwide. It was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards. Jennifer Lawrence won Best Actress. She was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress.

Recent and Future Projects: 2016–Present

In 2016, Russell directed Past Forward. This was a short film made with the fashion brand Prada. It was described as a "surreal dreamscape." It featured three different actors playing the same roles.

In 2020, Russell announced he would write and direct Amsterdam. He worked with Christian Bale again. Margot Robbie and John David Washington also joined the cast. Other stars included Rami Malek, Zoe Saldaña, Chris Rock, and Taylor Swift. The film did not do as well as expected.

Upcoming Films

On February 9, 2023, it was announced that Keke Palmer and Sacha Baron Cohen will star in Russell's film Super Toys. The movie is set in the 1970s.

In May 2023, it was announced that Russell would direct a film about football legend John Madden. Nicolas Cage is now set to star in the movie.

In January 2024, it was announced that Selena Gomez would play Linda Ronstadt in a film directed by Russell. It is based on Ronstadt's book.

In April 2024, Warner Bros. was reported to be planning a new Get Smart movie. Russell is in talks to direct it.

In November 2024, it was reported that Charlize Theron would work with Russell on a series called Cash. It is about "Russian oligarchs and the British government."

In December 2024, a new drama series called Bananas was announced for Apple TV+. Russell will direct and produce it. Oscar Isaac and Ana de Armas are set to star.

Ghetto Film School

David O. Russell was on the board of the Ghetto Film School (GFS). This organization was started in 2000. It helps young American storytellers learn about filmmaking. Russell joined the board in 2002. He brought filmmaker friends and movie studio professionals to help. They donated money and taught classes. This helped young Black and Latino filmmakers from the South Bronx and Harlem.

On June 16, 2014, Ghetto Film School opened a new branch in Los Angeles. Russell helped make this happen. In October 2015, Russell hosted a premiere for a film made by students from the Los Angeles school.

David O. Russell's Collaborators

Editor Jay Cassidy has worked with Russell on several films. These include Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle, Joy, and Amsterdam. Other editors like Crispin Struthers and Alan Baumgarten have also worked on his films. Producers Dean Silvers, Megan Ellison, and Jonathan Gordon have worked with him multiple times. Linus Sandgren was the cinematographer for American Hustle and Joy.

David O. Russell's Personal Life

Family

Russell was married to Janet Grillo from 1992 to 2007. She was a film producer. He has been with his partner, Holly Davis, since 2007. She is a costume designer. Russell has two children. One is with Janet Grillo, and he has an adopted son with Holly Davis. He lives in Santa Monica, California.

Helping Others with Mental Health

Russell is a strong supporter of mental health treatment and support. He also actively supports autism research. Because of his efforts, he was honored by the Light Up the Night Gala for Autism. In 2013, Russell visited Washington, D.C. He met with Vice President Joe Biden to talk about a new bill for mental healthcare. In May 2014, Russell spoke on a panel. They discussed projects that help reduce the negative ideas about mental illness. Russell is also on the creative council of Represent.Us. This is an organization that works against corruption.

David O. Russell's Filmography

Movies

Acting Roles

Short Films

Television Shows

Awards and Nominations

David O. Russell has received many awards throughout his career. These include two British Academy Film Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and four Independent Spirit Awards. He has also been nominated for five Academy Awards and two Directors Guild of America Awards.

Oscar-Winning Performances Directed by Russell

Russell has directed many actors who have been nominated for or won Academy Awards.

Images for kids

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  Russell at the Paris premiere of American Hustle in February 2014

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  David O. Russell at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2011

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  Russell directed Jennifer Lawrence to three Academy Award nominations and a win for Silver Linings Playbook

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  Russell with a bipartisan group of senators introducing the proposed bill, the Excellence in Mental Health Act in 2013

See also

In Spanish: David O. Russell para niños

• David O. Russell's unrealized projects