Nipsey Russell Net Worth, spouse, young children, awards, movies

Key facts:

He was a famous American comedian, poet, and dancer with a net worth of $1 million at the time of his death.

Russell was known for his appearances as a panelist on multiple game shows like Match Game, Hollywood Squares, Password and Pyramid.

He was nicknamed 'the poet laureate of television' for his short and witty poems.

Russell appeared in many popular films like The Wiz, Nemo, Posse and Car 54, Where Are You?.

He starred in the TV series Car 54, Where Are You? from 1961 to 1962 and played Officer Dave Anderson, and appeared as Honey Robinson on the series Barefoot in the Park in 197.

Basic Information About Nipsey Russell

Category	Celebrities › Actors
Professions	Actor
Net worth	$1,000,000
Date of birth	1918-09-15
Place of birth	Atlanta
Date of death	2005-10-02 (aged 87)
Nationality	United States of America
Curiosities and Trademarks	Always presenting a poem at his shows
Gender	Male
Social Media	↗︎ Wikipedia ↗︎ IMDb

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What Movie Awards did Nipsey Russell win?

Oscar	Golden Globe	Golder Raspberry	BAFTA	Other
0	0	0	0	0

Nipsey Russell roles

Movie / Series	Role
The Wiz	Tinman
Wildcats	Edwards
Match Game PM	Self - Panelist 13 episodes, 1976-1979
Spin City	Nipsey Russell 1 episode, 1999
Match Game/Hollywood Squares Hour	Self - Panelist 5 episodes, 1984
Police Woman	Charlie Witt 1 episode, 1977
The Love Boat	Dapper Dan Manhoney 1 episode, 1980
Match Game 73	Self - Panelist 135 episodes, 1973-1979
Laugh-In	Guest Performer (uncredited) unknown episodes
Late Night with Conan O'Brien	Self / ... 4 episodes, 1995-1997

Nipsey Russell's Quotes

I've always had the ability to manipulate words and communicate ideas and thoughts. Writing poems is very simple to do....I start with the joke line and write backward.
When asked why he never married: I have trouble living with myself, how could I live with anyone else?

Interesting Facts about Nipsey Russell

Frequently recited a humorous poem during his game show and talk show appearances.
Delivered standard four-line topical poems as part of his routine. An example: "The opposite of pro is con; That fact is clearly seen; If progress means move forward, Then what does Congress mean?"
An early job as a carhop kick-started his career. To generate tips he would joke around to make his customers laugh. It helped him hone his nightclub act at such establishments as the Club Baby Grand and Apollo Theater. Received his first big break in the late 1950s on Toast of the Town (1948).
Recorded several "party" albums.
Became one of the first African-Americans to be a regular on game shows (e.g., "To Tell the Truth") and was also one of the first black game show hosts with NBC's "Your Number's Up.".
Had a singing/dancing background. He danced with the Ragamuffins of Rhythm.
Obtained the rank of captain in the army during World World II, when African-American officers were very rare and segregation was official policy.
Got his start in show business in the late 1950s on Toast of the Town (1948).
Served in Europe as a captain in the United States Army in World War II.
Although he claimed to be a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, he actually attended for only one semester in 1936 and did not receive a degree.
Biography in "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume 7, 2003-2005, pages 483-485. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2007.
Had a childhood nickname of Stinky Bill.
To his surprise, on a 2003 episode of Hollywood Squares, it was revealed that the character Little Nipper in the cartoon strip Wee Pals had been named for him.
Met a young, unfamiliar actress/singer named Della Reese at one of the nightclubs in New York City; the two became best friends until his death in 2005.
Was friends with Jo Anne Worley, and Monty Hall.
Died 11 days shy of his 87th birthday.