Basic Information About Nipsey Russell
| Category | Celebrities › Actors |
|---|---|
| Professions | Actor |
| Net worth | $1,000,000 |
| Date of birth | 1918-09-15 |
| Place of birth | Atlanta |
| Date of death | 2005-10-02 (aged 87) |
| Nationality | United States of America |
| Curiosities and Trademarks | Always presenting a poem at his shows |
| Gender | Male |
| Social Media | ↗︎ Wikipedia ↗︎ IMDb |
Famous Network of Actors with Similar Net Worth
What Movie Awards did Nipsey Russell win?
 Oscar |
 Golden Globe |
 Golder Raspberry |
 BAFTA |
 Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Nipsey Russell roles
| Movie / Series | Role |
|---|---|
| The Wiz | Tinman |
| Wildcats | Edwards |
| Match Game PM | Self - Panelist 13 episodes, 1976-1979 |
| Spin City | Nipsey Russell 1 episode, 1999 |
| Match Game/Hollywood Squares Hour | Self - Panelist 5 episodes, 1984 |
| Police Woman | Charlie Witt 1 episode, 1977 |
| The Love Boat | Dapper Dan Manhoney 1 episode, 1980 |
| Match Game 73 | Self - Panelist 135 episodes, 1973-1979 |
| Laugh-In | Guest Performer (uncredited) unknown episodes |
| Late Night with Conan O'Brien | Self / ... 4 episodes, 1995-1997 |
Nipsey Russell's Quotes
- I've always had the ability to manipulate words and communicate ideas and thoughts. Writing poems is very simple to do....I start with the joke line and write backward.
- When asked why he never married: I have trouble living with myself, how could I live with anyone else?
Nipsey Russel: A Tribute to a Multitalented Personality
Is there anything better than being remembered for always bringing laughter into people’s lives? Appearing on some of the most famous game shows and sitcoms has made Nipsey Russel a household name. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1918, this iconic comedian, poet, and dancer won the hearts of many with his witty and humorous style. The poet laureate of television, Nipsey was known for his short and comical poems that made people happy till his last breath.
Net Worth Details:
Nipsey Russell, at the time of his death, was worth around $1 million. Not much is known regarding how he amassed this fortune. However, what’s important is the incredible legacy he left behind.
Biography:
What is Nipsey Russell Known For?
Although Nipsey was best known for his hilarious appearing on numerous game shows, it was his’ legendary comedic performance that got him critical acclaim and worldwide recognition. He became a regular on the Ed Sullivan show, where his unique style entertained audiences all over the country.
Early Life and Education
Nipsey Russell started his career in the performing arts after graduating from college. His initial performances were reciting funny poems that mesmerized anyone listening to him. From there, his career skyrocketed into the entertainment industry.
Career
Nipsey truly made his mark as a comedian who could write short witty poems in hilarious contexts for any situation. Thus, he became a fixture in numerous game shows such as Hollywood Squares, Match Game, To Tell The Truth, and many more.
Soon, he gained a recurring role on the sitcom Car 54, Where Are You?, with Gazza Gazzarre. It was a show about police officers’ daily lives, where he acted as Officer Dave Anderson. This program brought Nipsey and his killer one-liners to a national audience and allowed him to achieve a wholly different type of fame.
From here, Nipsey was a part of celebrity hosting roasters that made fun of each other and played off of their competition. He regularly recited some of the funniest poems, sometimes specifically composed for each roastee. “Sugar Ray Robinson, his story tells – he’s got $100,000 in his hands, but the other $50,000 in taxi-cab bells,” joked Nipsey at a Sugar Ray Robinson roast.
Along with reciting his humorous poetry, Nipsey also wrote lyrics for different songs, including collaborating on the famous Frank Sinatra tune, “The House I Live In.” And, when he wasn’t on TV or running around with Frank Sinatra, Russell continued making people laugh by performing stand-up comedy on-stage nationally from showrooms to dives.
Death
In October 2005, Nipsey Russell passed away from cancer at 87 years old in his home in New York City. His works will always remain embedded within the hearts of many who grew up watching him on the television screen.
Achievements
Over his career, Nipsey made an indelible imprint on the entertainment industry from television and movie screens to Las Vegas showrooms and beyond.
In his personal life, Russell was an accomplished dancer and amateur horseman known for riding thoroughbreds at race tracks across the country. The multifaceted entertainer leaves behind an incredible legacy celebrating one of history’s funniest performers, making us believe that funny people are not just born but created with love.
Awards and Achievements
- Nominated for NAACP Image Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture (1988).
- Recipient of the “Falcon Award” for his outstanding written and comedic work given by fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha.
Conclusion
In the end, to summarize the successful career of Nipsey Russell worth over a million dollars, he never hid the fact that he was human. Even his wounds and scars never stopped him from delivering an apt punchline. As he once said, “The worst thing we can do is stop being creative,” and it has always inspired many even today.
Interesting Facts about Nipsey Russell
- Frequently recited a humorous poem during his game show and talk show appearances.
- Delivered standard four-line topical poems as part of his routine. An example: "The opposite of pro is con; That fact is clearly seen; If progress means move forward, Then what does Congress mean?"
- An early job as a carhop kick-started his career. To generate tips he would joke around to make his customers laugh. It helped him hone his nightclub act at such establishments as the Club Baby Grand and Apollo Theater. Received his first big break in the late 1950s on Toast of the Town (1948).
- Recorded several "party" albums.
- Became one of the first African-Americans to be a regular on game shows (e.g., "To Tell the Truth") and was also one of the first black game show hosts with NBC's "Your Number's Up.".
- Had a singing/dancing background. He danced with the Ragamuffins of Rhythm.
- Obtained the rank of captain in the army during World World II, when African-American officers were very rare and segregation was official policy.
- Got his start in show business in the late 1950s on Toast of the Town (1948).
- Served in Europe as a captain in the United States Army in World War II.
- Although he claimed to be a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, he actually attended for only one semester in 1936 and did not receive a degree.
- Biography in "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume 7, 2003-2005, pages 483-485. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2007.
- Had a childhood nickname of Stinky Bill.
- To his surprise, on a 2003 episode of Hollywood Squares, it was revealed that the character Little Nipper in the cartoon strip Wee Pals had been named for him.
- Met a young, unfamiliar actress/singer named Della Reese at one of the nightclubs in New York City; the two became best friends until his death in 2005.
- Was friends with Jo Anne Worley, and Monty Hall.
- Died 11 days shy of his 87th birthday.
