Acting · Atlanta, Georgia, USA · Born September 15, 1918
Julius "Nipsey" Russell (September 15, 1918 – October 2, 2005) was an American comedian, best known today for his appearances as a guest panelist on game shows from the 1960s through the 1990s, especially Match Game, Password, Hollywood Squares, To Tell the Truth and Pyramid. His appearances were distinguished in part by the short, humorous poems he would recite during the broadcast. These lyrics became so closely associated with Russell that Dick Clark, Bill Cullen, Betty White, and others regularly referred to him as "the poet laureate of television." He also had a leading role in the film version of The Wiz. Russell was also a frequent guest on Dean Martin's Celebrity Roasts.
TV100 Centre Street
2001
as Wallace Roy
TVSpin City
1996
as Nipsey Russell
MovieCar 54, Where Are You?
1994
as Police Captain Dave Anderson
TVLate Night with Conan O'Brien
1993
as Self
MoviePosse
1993
as Snopes
MovieWildcats
1986
as Ben Edwards
TVYour Number's Up
1985
as Host
MovieDream One
1984
as Mr. Rip / Benjamin
$weepstake$
1979
MovieFame
1978
as Vinny
MovieThe Wiz
1978
as Tinman
MovieWiz on Down the Road
1978
as Tinman
TVThe Love Boat
1977
as Dan Manhoney
TVPolice Woman
1974
as Charlie Witt
The Dean Martin Comedy World
1974
as Host
TVThe Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
1973
as Self
TVMatch Game
1973
as Self
Barefoot in the Park
1970
as Honey Robinson
MovieKing: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphis
1970
as Self (archive footage)
TVRowan & Martin's Laugh-In
1968
as Self (uncredited)
MovieThe Strolling '20s
1966
as Self
TVThe Dean Martin Show
1965
TVThe Merv Griffin Show
1962
as Self
TVThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962
as Self
Tonight Starring Jack Paar
1957
as Self
TVThe Red Skelton Show
1951
as Nipsey Ralston
TVThe Bob Hope Show
1950
as Self
TVThe Ed Sullivan Show
1948
as Self
