Tim Russell
Encyclopedia
Tim Russell is an American radio announcer and voice actor (AFTRA/SAG
) in Minneapolis – Saint Paul. He is most widely known as one of the actors on the long-running radio show, A Prairie Home Companion
. As a voice-over talent and announcer, Russell also appears in radio and television commercials.
and briefly attended law school at the University of Minnesota
. He took broadcasting classes at Brown Institute
of Broadcasting in Minneapolis.
Russell began his radio career at WDBQ-AM
in Dubuque, Iowa
. He began work at WCCO-FM when it went on the air in 1973. While working there he began developing character voices and doing commercials. Between 1983 and 1993, he worked at WCCO-AM
. After leaving WCCO, he worked for country station KJJO-FM and "easy listening" station KLBB-AM.
In 1997, he went back to work for WCCO-AM. Russell was voted the "Outstanding Broadcast Personality" by the Minnesota Broadcasters Association. In April 2010, Russell left WCCO through a buyout after working there for 33 years.
and Arnold Schwarzenegger
.
Russell played "Al, the Stage Manager" in A Prairie Home Companion
, the movie based on a screenplay by Garrison Keillor and filmed by Robert Altman at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, Minnesota during the summer of 2005. The film was released on June 9, 2006.
and 2009's A Serious Man
.
Screen Actors Guild
The Screen Actors Guild is an American labor union representing over 200,000 film and television principal performers and background performers worldwide...
) in Minneapolis – Saint Paul. He is most widely known as one of the actors on the long-running radio show, A Prairie Home Companion
A Prairie Home Companion
A Prairie Home Companion is a live radio variety show created and hosted by Garrison Keillor. The show runs on Saturdays from 5 to 7 p.m. Central Time, and usually originates from the Fitzgerald Theater in Saint Paul, Minnesota, although it is frequently taken on the road...
. As a voice-over talent and announcer, Russell also appears in radio and television commercials.
Education and radio career
Russell graduated from the University of Notre DameUniversity of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
and briefly attended law school at the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
. He took broadcasting classes at Brown Institute
Brown College (Minnesota)
Brown College is a for-profit school and is a subsidiary of Career Education Corporation. It is located in Mendota Heights, Minnesota, near Minneapolis/St. Paul...
of Broadcasting in Minneapolis.
Russell began his radio career at WDBQ-AM
WDBQ (AM)
WDBQ is a radio station broadcasting a talk radio format. Located in Dubuque, Iowa, USA, the station is currently owned by Cumulus Media and licensed to Cumulus Licensing, LLC. Signing on over 70 years ago, WDBQ is one of the older stations to serve the state of Iowa. For a number of years the...
in Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque is a city in and the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. In 2010 its population was 57,637, making it the ninth-largest city in the state and the county's population was 93,653....
. He began work at WCCO-FM when it went on the air in 1973. While working there he began developing character voices and doing commercials. Between 1983 and 1993, he worked at WCCO-AM
WCCO-AM
WCCO is a radio station located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. The station broadcasts on a clear-channel frequency and is owned by CBS Radio. The station's studios are located in downtown Minneapolis, while its transmitter is located in Coon Rapids, Minnesota.With 50,000 watts of power, WCCO's...
. After leaving WCCO, he worked for country station KJJO-FM and "easy listening" station KLBB-AM.
In 1997, he went back to work for WCCO-AM. Russell was voted the "Outstanding Broadcast Personality" by the Minnesota Broadcasters Association. In April 2010, Russell left WCCO through a buyout after working there for 33 years.
A Prairie Home Companion
In 1994, Russell began performing on the public radio show, A Prairie Home Companion. As a radio comedy actor, he is the voice behind Dusty from "Lives of the Cowboys", Fred Farell, and many famous celebrities, including Julia ChildJulia Child
Julia Child was an American chef, author, and television personality. She is recognized for introducing French cuisine to the American public with her debut cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and her subsequent television programs, the most notable of which was The French Chef, which...
and Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
.
Russell played "Al, the Stage Manager" in A Prairie Home Companion
A Prairie Home Companion (film)
A Prairie Home Companion is a 2006 ensemble comedy elegy directed by Robert Altman, and was his final film, released just five months before his death...
, the movie based on a screenplay by Garrison Keillor and filmed by Robert Altman at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, Minnesota during the summer of 2005. The film was released on June 9, 2006.
Filmography
In addition to his role on the film version of A Prairie Home Companion, Russell had small parts in two films set in Minnesota, 1994's Little Big LeagueLittle Big League
Little Big League is a 1994 family film about a 12-year-old who suddenly becomes the owner and then manager of the Minnesota Twins baseball team. It stars Luke Edwards, Timothy Busfield and Dennis Farina.-Plot:...
and 2009's A Serious Man
A Serious Man
A Serious Man is a 2009 dark comedy written, produced, and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. The film stars Michael Stuhlbarg as a Minnesota Jewish man whose life crumbles both professionally and personally, leading to questions about his faith...
.
External links
- Official website (shared with Sue Scott)
- Tim Russell's page at A Prairie Home Companions website