Nipsey Russell
Known for: Acting
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.
Filmography
Series
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self
1962
Series
The Love Boat
Dan Manhoney
1977
Series
The Red Skelton Show
Nipsey Ralston
1951
Series
The Red Skelton Show
Self
1951
Series
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Self
1993
Series
Spin City
Nipsey Russell
1996
Series
The Merv Griffin Show
Self
1962
Series
Police Woman
Charlie Witt
1974
Series
The Ed Sullivan Show
Self
1948
Series
Match Game
Self
1973
Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Self
1957
Series
The Bob Hope Show
Self
1950
Series
The Dean Martin Show
1965
Series
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
Self (uncredited)
1968
Series
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
Self
1973
Series
100 Centre Street
Wallace Roy
2001
Film
The Wiz
Tinman
1978
$weepstake$
1979
Film
Posse
Snopes
1993
Film
Wildcats
Ben Edwards
1986
Barefoot in the Park
Honey Robinson
1970
Film
King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphis
Self (archive footage)
1970
Film
Dream One
Mr. Rip / Benjamin
1984
Film
Car 54, Where Are You?
Police Captain Dave Anderson
1994
Series
Your Number's Up
Host
1985
Film
Wiz on Down the Road
Tinman
1978
Film
The Strolling '20s
Self
1966
Film
Fame
Vinny
1978
The Dean Martin Comedy World
Host
1974