Background
Mark Russell was born Mark Ruslander (he changed his name for stage purposes) and grew up in Buffalo, New York where he graduated from Canisius High School.
comedian political satirist writers
Mark Russell was born Mark Ruslander (he changed his name for stage purposes) and grew up in Buffalo, New York where he graduated from Canisius High School.
Student, George Washington University, 1952. Doctor of Letters, Union College, 1987. Doctor of Humane Letters, Canisius College, 1988.
Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Goucher College, 1990. Doctor of Laws (honorary), D'Youville College, 2004.
After high school, his family moved briefly to Florida, then moved to Washington, District of Columbia, where he enrolled at George Washington University, but stayed for only a month. He then joined the Marines. Russell is known for his series of Public Broadcasting Service specials, aired live at least four times a year between 1975 and 2004.
Russell"s song parodies use melodies from old standards with new humorous lyrics pertinent to the subject matter.
Foreign example, in 1990, following the execution of Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceauşescu, Russell did a parody song on his show to the tune of "Chattanooga Choo-Choo." ("Pardon me, boys / Are you the cats who shot Ceauşescu / You made my day / The way you blew him away") Russell himself admits that most of his jokes and songs are very topical and have "a shelf life shorter than cottage cheese."
Russell has often been asked the question, "Do you have any writers?" His standard response is "Oh, yes. I have 535 writers. As they say, "I don"t make the news.
I just report lieutenant" And in my case, I don"t even make the jokes. I just report them as they masquerade as news."
Foreign several years, on the Sunday before Labor Day, Russell has made an annual appearance on the National Broadcasting Company news program Meet the Press, which was hosted from 1991–2008 by Tim Russert, also a Canisius High graduate.
Beginning in the early 1960s he was a regular entertainer at the Shoreham Hotel in Washington, District of Columbia He gained national recognition with a series of comedy albums during the Watergate scandal, and did his first public television show in 1975.
From 1979 to 1984, he was a semi-regular host on the reality television show, Real People. In 1994, Russell found himself unexpectedly allied with the rap group 2 Live Crew, when the group was sued for copyright infringement for their parody of the song "Oh, Pretty Woman". The Supreme Court agreed, and ruled in favor of Russell and 2 Live Crew (Campbell v Acuff-Rose Music, Incorporated).
In 2010, Russell announced his retirement from public performances and made his last public performance July 2010 in Chautauqua, New New York
He continues to write political humor for various venues. By 2013, Russell had begun to tour and perform publicly again and continues to do so as of February 2016.
Russell was portrayed by Mark McKinney in a 1996 episode of Saturday Night Live. Russell was parodied in an episode of The Simpsons (season three"s "Mr Lisa Goes to Washington"), in which a character modeled on him sings songs including "The Deficit Rag" and "The Trading Gap Shuffle."
The song Happy Days Are Here Again was used to open Russell"s Public Broadcasting Service specials that aired from 1975–2004.
Russell lives in Washington, District of Columbia
His comedy specials were a mix of political stand-up comedy covering current events and musical parodies, in which Russell accompanied himself on his trademark American flag themed piano. While Russell"s humor is known for skewering Democrats and Republicans alike, his humorous tirades have also poked fun at third party, independent politicians and other prominent political (and sometimes non-political) figures. 100 in the Senate and 435 in the House of Representatives!" When asked if his views on current events are too caustic, Russell replies, "I follow the old newsman"s adage.
Served with United States Marine Corps, 1953-1956. Member American Federation television and Radio Artists, American Federation Musicians.
Married Alison Kaplan, December 17, 1978. Children: Monica, John, Matthew.