Robert Russell (24 May 1936 – 12 May 2008) was an English actor known for a memorable supporting role as John Stearne alongside Vincent Price in the classic British horror film Witchfinder General (1968).
He was born in Kent, England. His family emigrated to South Africa for 9 years when he was aged 11. He worked in a gold mine after leaving school. He returned to England and trained as an actor at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art. He then appeared onstage with Laurence Olivier and actors such as Sir Michael Gambon, as a member of the National Theatre touring company.
He made numerous appearances on UK television, often playing tough characters and villains due to his imposing stature, including The Avengers, Public Eye, The Sweeney, Space: 1999, Blake's 7 and Doctor Who, playing a guard in the serial entitled The Power of the Daleks and a Highland Games Champion, The Caber, in Terror of the Zygons. Some of his other film appearances included Othello (1965), The Whisperers (1967), Bedazzled (1967) with Peter Cook and Dudley Moore, Inspector Clouseau (1968), The Breaking of Bumbo (1970), Man in the Wilderness (1971) with Richard Harris, Sitting Target (1972), Double Exposure (1977), Queen of the Blues (1979) starring Mary Millington, Ivanhoe (1982), Oliver Twist (1982), and the TV film of The Sign of Four (1983).
He lived for the last 14 years of his life in Maidenhead, Berkshire and died there of a heart attack at his home aged 71.
1992
as Shorty
1985
as Appleyard
1984
as Security Guard 1
1983
as Williams
1981
as Eric Leggatt
1980
as Mechanic
1980
as Luciano
1978
as Laran
1977
as Matvey
1977
as Kidnapper Russell
1975
as Robber Chief
1975
as The Caber
1975
as Hadin
1975
as Arni
1974
as Terry
1972
as Gang Member
1972
as 'Priest'
1972
as 'Priest' / Red Hal
1972
as Red Hal
1971
as Smith
1971
as Ramon
1971
as Gibb
1970
as Sergeant Clegg
1970
as Headquarters Policeman
1970
as Todt
1969
as Police Sergeant
1969
as Chalmers
1968
as Maltman
1968
as Stockton
1968
as John Stearne
1967
as Anger
1967
as Detective
1967
as Andy
1966
as Edwards
1965
as Senators-Soldiers-Cypriots
1965
1965
as Tarrant
1963
as The Caber
1962
as Guido
1961
as Lubin
1959