History of Kurt Russell in Timeline
Kurt Vogel Russell, an American actor, started his career at 12 in the Western TV series "The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters". In the late 1960s, he signed a ten-year contract with Disney, starring as Dexter Riley in films like "The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes", "Now You See Him, Now You Don't", and "The Strongest Man in the World". His portrayal of Elvis Presley in the 1979 TV movie "Elvis" earned him an Emmy nomination. Russell became Disney's top star of the 1970s, according to TCM host Robert Osborne.
March 17, 1951: Birth of Kurt Russell
Kurt Vogel Russell was born on March 17, 1951, in Springfield, Massachusetts.
1959: Pulitzer Prize for "The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters" Novel
The novel "The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters", which the series Kurt Russell starred in is based on won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1959.
April 24, 1963: Guest Appearance on "Our Man Higgins"
On April 24, 1963, Kurt Russell made a guest appearance on the ABC series "Our Man Higgins".
1963: Start of Acting Career
Kurt Russell began his acting career at age 12 in the Western TV series "The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters".
1963: Lead Role in "The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters"
Kurt Russell landed the title role in the ABC Western series "The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters" in 1963.
1964: Guest Appearances on "The Fugitive", "The Virginian", and "Gunsmoke"
Kurt Russell made guest appearances on the television series "The Fugitive", "The Virginian", and "Gunsmoke" in 1964.
1964: End of "The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters"
The Western TV series "The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters", starring a young Kurt Russell, concluded in 1964.
February 6, 1965: Guest Appearance on "Gilligan's Island"
On February 6, 1965, 13-year-old Kurt Russell guest-starred as Jungle Boy on an episode of "Gilligan's Island".
March 1966: Guest Appearance on "Lost in Space"
Kurt Russell played Quano, son of a planetary ruler, in a March 1966 episode of "Lost in Space" titled "The Challenge".
December 1966: Walt Disney's Death and Note about Kurt Russell
In December 1966, shortly before his passing, Walt Disney wrote Kurt Russell's name (misspelled as Kirt) on a piece of paper, indicating his recognition of Russell's potential.
January 1967: Appearance in "Mosby's Marauders"
In January 1967, Kurt Russell appeared as Private Willie Prentiss in "Willie and the Yank: The Mosby Raiders", later released theatrically as "Mosby's Marauders" (1967).
1968: The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band
Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn first appeared together in the film "The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band" in 1968.
1968: Meeting Goldie Hawn
Kurt Russell met his future partner, Goldie Hawn, while filming "The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band" in 1968.
1969: High School Graduation
Kurt Russell graduated from Thousand Oaks High School in 1969.
1969: Disney Contract and "The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes"
Kurt Russell signed a ten-year contract with The Walt Disney Company and starred in "The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes" in 1969.
1969: Releases of "The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit" and "Guns in the Heather"
Kurt Russell starred in two Disney films released in 1969: "The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit" and "Guns in the Heather".
1971: Appearance in "Fools' Parade" and "Room 222"
Kurt Russell co-starred with James Stewart in "Fool's Parade" and guest-starred on "Room 222" in 1971.
1971: Playing for the Bend Rainbows
Kurt Russell played second base for the Bend Rainbows, a minor league baseball team, in 1971.
1971: Release of "The Barefoot Executive"
Kurt Russell's Disney film "The Barefoot Executive" was released in 1971 and became a success.
1972: Playing for the Walla Walla Islanders
Kurt Russell played for the Walla Walla Islanders, a minor league baseball team, in 1972.
1972: Release of "Now You See Him, Now You Don't"
Kurt Russell starred in the Disney film "Now You See Him, Now You Don't" in 1972.
1973: Baseball Injury and Return to Acting
A shoulder injury sustained while playing baseball in 1973 forced Kurt Russell to retire from the sport and return to his acting career.
1973: Releases of "Charley and the Angel" and "Superdad"
Kurt Russell appeared in two Disney films in 1973: "Charley and the Angel" and "Superdad".
1974: The New Land
In 1974, Kurt Russell appeared in the ABC series "The New Land," which was inspired by a 1972 Swedish film. Despite critical acclaim, the show suffered from low ratings and was canceled after airing only six of its thirteen episodes.
1975: The Strongest Man in the World
Kurt Russell returned to Disney to film "The Strongest Man in the World" in 1975.
1975: Release of "The Strongest Man in the World"
Kurt Russell starred as Dexter Riley in Disney's "The Strongest Man in the World" in 1975.
1975: End of Service with California Air National Guard
Kurt Russell's service with the California Air National Guard ended in 1975.
1979: Emmy Nomination for "Elvis"
Kurt Russell was nominated for an Emmy for his portrayal of Elvis Presley in the 1979 TV movie "Elvis".
1979: Marriage to Season Hubley
Kurt Russell married actress Season Hubley in 1979 after they met during the filming of "Elvis."
1979: Elvis
In 1979, Kurt Russell starred in the television film "Elvis," playing the titular character. His then-wife, Season Hubley, portrayed Priscilla Presley. Russell's performance earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Special. This film marked a turning point in his career, transitioning him from a child actor to a leading man, and initiated his collaborations with director John Carpenter.
February 16, 1980: Birth of Boston Russell
Kurt Russell and Season Hubley's son, Boston, was born on February 16, 1980.
1980: Release of "Used Cars"
Kurt Russell starred in the comedy film "Used Cars" in 1980.
1980: Amber Waves and Used Cars
Kurt Russell starred in two films released in 1980: "Amber Waves" and the comedy "Used Cars."
1981: Escape from New York
In 1981, Kurt Russell took on the role of Snake Plissken in John Carpenter's dystopian action film "Escape from New York."
1981: Release of "Escape from New York"
Kurt Russell starred in John Carpenter's "Escape from New York" in 1981.
1981: The Fox and the Hound
Kurt Russell voiced the adult Copper in Disney's animated film "The Fox and the Hound" in 1981.
1982: The Thing
In 1982, Kurt Russell teamed up with John Carpenter again for "The Thing," a science fiction horror film based on John W. Campbell Jr.'s short story "Who Goes There?" This was the second film adaptation of the story, the first being 1951's "The Thing from Another World."
1982: Release of "The Thing"
Kurt Russell starred in John Carpenter's horror film "The Thing" in 1982.
1983: Silkwood
Kurt Russell's performance in the 1983 film "Silkwood" earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
1983: Golden Globe Nomination for "Silkwood"
Kurt Russell was nominated for a Golden Globe for his supporting role in "Silkwood" (1983).
1983: Divorce from Season Hubley
Kurt Russell and Season Hubley divorced in 1983. Following the divorce, Russell began his relationship with Goldie Hawn.
1984: Swing Shift
Kurt Russell co-starred with Goldie Hawn in the 1984 film "Swing Shift," marking the start of their romantic relationship.
July 10, 1986: Birth of Wyatt Russell
Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn's son, Wyatt, was born on July 10, 1986.
1986: The Mean Season, The Best of Times, and Big Trouble in Little China
In 1986, Kurt Russell appeared in three movies. He starred in "The Mean Season" and "The Best of Times," and played the lead in John Carpenter's action-comedy "Big Trouble in Little China." While "Big Trouble in Little China" initially underperformed, it later achieved cult status.
1986: Release of "Big Trouble in Little China"
Kurt Russell starred in the action-comedy film "Big Trouble in Little China", directed by John Carpenter, in 1986.
1987: Overboard
Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn co-starred in the popular romantic comedy "Overboard" in 1987.
1987: Release of "Overboard"
Kurt Russell co-starred with Goldie Hawn in the romantic comedy "Overboard" in 1987.
1988: Tequila Sunrise
Kurt Russell starred in the 1988 film "Tequila Sunrise." Russell attributed a shift in Hollywood's perception of him to his performance in this movie.
1989: Release of "Tango & Cash"
Kurt Russell starred alongside Sylvester Stallone in the action film "Tango & Cash" in 1989.
1989: Winter People and Tango & Cash
In 1989, Kurt Russell starred in "Winter People" and co-starred with Sylvester Stallone in the action film "Tango & Cash."
1991: Backdraft
Kurt Russell played Lt. Stephen "Bull" McCaffrey in the action-drama film "Backdraft" in 1991.
1991: Release of "Backdraft"
Kurt Russell starred in the action-drama film "Backdraft" in 1991.
1993: Tombstone
In 1993, Kurt Russell played Wyatt Earp in the Western film "Tombstone."
1993: Release of "Tombstone"
Kurt Russell portrayed Wyatt Earp in the Western film "Tombstone" in 1993.
1994: Stargate and Forrest Gump
Kurt Russell starred as Colonel Jack O'Neil in the science fiction film "Stargate" in 1994. He also made an uncredited voice appearance as Elvis Presley in the iconic film "Forrest Gump."
1994: Release of "Stargate"
Kurt Russell starred in the science fiction film "Stargate" in 1994.
1996: Release of "Escape from L.A."
The sequel to "Escape from New York", titled "Escape from L.A.", was released in 1996, with Kurt Russell reprising his role.
1997: Release of "Breakdown"
Kurt Russell starred in the thriller film "Breakdown" in 1997.
2001: Release of "Vanilla Sky"
Kurt Russell appeared in the science fiction film "Vanilla Sky" in 2001.
February 2003: Move to Vancouver
In February 2003, Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn relocated to Vancouver, British Columbia, to allow their son Wyatt to pursue his hockey aspirations.
2004: Miracle
In 2004, Kurt Russell portrayed U.S. Olympic hockey coach Herb Brooks in the film "Miracle." His performance garnered significant critical acclaim, with critics like Claudia Puig, Roger Ebert, and Elvis Mitchell praising his nuanced and authentic portrayal.
2004: Release of "Miracle"
Kurt Russell starred in the sports drama "Miracle" in 2004.
April 2005: George P. Cosmatos's Death
George P. Cosmatos, the credited director of "Tombstone," died in April 2005.
2005: Release of "Sky High"
Kurt Russell starred in the superhero comedy film "Sky High" in 2005.
2006: Ghost-Directing Allegations
In 2006, after the death of George P. Cosmatos, Kurt Russell publicly claimed that he had ghost-directed the 1993 film "Tombstone," stating he took over directorial duties after the first director was fired and was responsible for the shot lists used during filming. He maintained that he kept this a secret out of respect for Cosmatos.
2007: Grindhouse
Kurt Russell played the villainous Stuntman Mike in Quentin Tarantino's "Death Proof," a segment of the double-feature film "Grindhouse," released in 2007.
2007: Release of "Death Proof"
Kurt Russell starred in Quentin Tarantino's "Death Proof" in 2007.
2010: Living Legends of Aviation Induction
Kurt Russell, an FAA-licensed pilot, was inducted into the Living Legends of Aviation in 2010 and received the "Aviation Mentor Award" from John Travolta.
2014: The Battered Bastards of Baseball
The documentary "The Battered Bastards of Baseball," which featured Kurt Russell and focused on his father's baseball team, the Portland Mavericks, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2014.
2015: The Hateful Eight
Kurt Russell appeared in Quentin Tarantino's "The Hateful Eight" in 2015.
2015: Furious 7 and Bone Tomahawk
In 2015, Kurt Russell co-starred in the action film "Furious 7" and portrayed Sheriff Franklin Hunt in the Western horror film "Bone Tomahawk."
2015: Releases of "The Hateful Eight" and "Furious 7"
In 2015, Kurt Russell appeared in two films: Quentin Tarantino's "The Hateful Eight" and "Furious 7", marking his debut as Mr. Nobody.
May 4, 2017: Hollywood Walk of Fame
On May 4, 2017, Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn received stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for their contributions to the motion picture industry. Their double star ceremony was held at 6201 Hollywood Boulevard.
2017: Releases of "The Fate of the Furious" and "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2"
Kurt Russell reprised his role as Mr. Nobody in "The Fate of the Furious" and played Ego in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" in 2017.
2018: Release of "The Christmas Chronicles"
Kurt Russell played Santa Claus in the Netflix film "The Christmas Chronicles" in 2018.
2019: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Kurt Russell acted in Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," which was released in 2019.
2019: Release of "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood"
Kurt Russell appeared in Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" in 2019.
December 2020: Interview with People Magazine
In a December 2020 interview with People magazine, Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn discussed their long-term relationship and explained they've never felt a need to marry.
2020: Political Views
In 2020, Kurt Russell, a self-identified libertarian, publicly stated that he believed celebrities should refrain from expressing their political opinions, as it can negatively impact their work.
2020: Release of "The Christmas Chronicles 2"
Kurt Russell reprised his role as Santa Claus in the sequel "The Christmas Chronicles 2" in 2020.
2021: Releases of "F9" and Contribution to "What If...?"
In 2021, Kurt Russell appeared in "F9" as Mr. Nobody and contributed to the animated series "What If...?" as Ego.