From the Associated Press bio:
“Born in Atlanta, Russell launched his television career as Officer Anderson in the 1961 television series “Car 54, Where are You?” He also appeared in the 1994 film version.”
A Nipsey Russell fan site claims that he performed in Vaudeville. We know him from his multiple appearances on game shows.
His name became a punchline. Not because the man himself was laughable, mind you, it was just a classic comedian name. Where are today’s Nipseys or Sheckys or Slappys? Why do we all have such serious names?
Photo courtesy of AP.