- The only director to helm two consecutively-released films (Silver Linings Playbook (2012) and American Hustle (2013)) that were nominated for Academy Awards in all acting categories.
- Directed 7 different actors in Oscar-nominated performances: Christian Bale (twice), Amy Adams (twice), Melissa Leo, Bradley Cooper (twice), Jennifer Lawrence (three times), Robert De Niro, and Jacki Weaver. Bale and Leo won Oscars for their performances in The Fighter (2010); Lawrence won for her performance in Silver Linings Playbook (2012).
- Honored at Manhattan's Museum of Modern Art in April 2002 by guests such as Lily Tomlin, Mark Wahlberg and Sandra Bernhard. Ironic site for tribute, since Russell once served as a waiter at parties there, to the likes of Martin Scorsese.
- His favorite movie is Blue Velvet (1986).
- Went to Mamaroneck High School in Mamaroneck, New York with Bennett Miller and Dan Futterman.
- Graduated from Amherst College 1981, majoring in English and Political Science.
- Finally exited his directorial project Accidental Love (2015) (then still titled "Nailed") in June 2010 after many financial and legal troubles during the shooting of the film and negotiations with film financier Ron Tutor eventually broke down. The movie was shelved ever since ending principal photography in November 2008. It was rumored that the film was never fully finished and that crucial parts of the plot were never shot. It was eventually released in 2015. However, Russell's name is no longer associated with the film. Therefore, he receives directing credit as "Stephen Greene" (similar to the old "Alan Smithee" pseudonym used by directors who disown the final product of a film they may have directed at one point but eventually were not able to exercise creative control over (due to producers' or financiers' interference, for example)).
- Wrote the screenplay adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016), with the intention of directing it. After he dropped out, Burr Steers revised and polished the script and directed it. In the end, Russell didn't receive any credit.
- His father was of Russian Jewish descent and his mother was of Italian ancestry.
- Was member of the dramatic jury at the Sundance Film Festival in 2003.
- Did uncredited rewrites on the script for Meet the Fockers (2004).
- Father of actor Matthew Antonio Grillo Russell with producer/actress Janet Grillo.
- Wrote early drafts of the screenplay for Stuart Little (1999), but didn't earn any credit.
- He has directed three films that have been nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: The Fighter (2010), Silver Linings Playbook (2012) and American Hustle (2013).
- He donates to autism research and advocates for mental health treatment.
- He serves on the Creative Counsel of the non-partisan anti-corruption organization RepresentUs.
- Former Son-in-law of Angela Grillo
- His parents, Bernard and Maria, both met in the mailroom of New York's publishing giant Simon & Schuster.
- Cousin of Matthew Muzio.
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