Catherine Russell (American actress)

This article is about the American actress. For other people named Catherine or Katherine Russell, see Katherine Russell (disambiguation).

Catherine Russell
Catherine Russell at the 2016 Broadway in Bryant Park
Born1956 (age 68–69)
Alma materCornell University (AB)
New York University (MA)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • Producer
  • Professor
  • General Manager
Years active1980–present

Catherine Russell (born 1956) is an American stage actress, professor, general manager, and producer.

She is best known for never having taken a sick or vacation day in the late Warren Manzi's Off-Broadway play Perfect Crime since its opening in 1987.[1] Russell holds the world record for the most performances as the same character, playing Margaret Thorne Brent in that play.[2]

Biography

Russell grew up in New Canaan, Connecticut.[3] In 1970, at the age of 14, Russell appeared in The Diary of Anne Frank.[4]

She earned her Bachelor of Arts at Cornell University in 1977 and an MA from New York University in 1980.[5]

Theater

Russell made her Off-Broadway debut in 1980 as Nicola Davies in Stephen Poliakoff's City Sugar.[6] She has since appeared Off-Broadway in productions such as Miss Shumann's Quartet, A Resounding Twinkle, The Award And Other Plays and Creeps.[6]

Russell has played the character of Margaret Thorne Brent in the late Warren Manzi's Off-Broadway play Perfect Crime since its opening in 1987.[1] She has missed only four performances, the last in 1995 to attend her brother's wedding.[7] In 2008, Russell was awarded the Guinness World Record for most performances as the same character.[2] She celebrated her 15,000th performance in that role in December 2024.[8]

Russell's understudy is Andrea Leigh, who also serves as assistant stage manager on the production.[9]

Russell is the general manager of The Theater Center which she built in 2005.[10] There she was a lead producer of The Fantasticks from 2006 to 2017.[11]

Academia

Russell teaches educational theater as an adjunct faculty member at NYU Steinhardt since 1981 and has taught writing at Baruch College since 1980.[5][12][13][14]

Personal life

Russell was married to Patrick Robustelli, who owned a Times Square pizzeria, until his death in 2019.[15]

She identifies as a Christian Scientist.[16][15]

Her favorite play is Three Sisters by Anton Chekov.[17]

References

  1. ^ a b "Catherine Russell Hits 25 Years". Backstage.
  2. ^ a b "Most Theatre Performances – Same Role (Female)". Guinness World Records.
  3. ^ "Catherine Russell Hits 25 Years in Warren Manzi's 'Perfect Crime'". www.backstage.com. April 17, 2012. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  4. ^ Tarleton, John. "The Many Roles of Ms. Russell: Baruch Adjunct Steals the Show". PSC CUNY. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Catherine Russell | NYU Steinhardt". steinhardt.nyu.edu. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  6. ^ a b "Catherine Russell". Roger Paul Inc. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  7. ^ "Coffee and love: Actress shares secrets to nearly 30 sick-free years". TODAY.com. November 3, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  8. ^ Bahr, Sarah (December 7, 2024). "How Catherine Russell, of 'Perfect Crime,' Spends Her Sundays". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  9. ^ Gans, Andrew (April 17, 2021). "Perfect Crime Resumes Performances Off-Broadway April 17".
  10. ^ "Catherine Russell | NYU Steinhardt". steinhardt.nyu.edu. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  11. ^ BWW, Team. "Catherine Russell (Actor, Producer): Credits, Bio, News & More | Broadway World". www.broadwayworld.com. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  12. ^ "Catherine Russell - Faculty Profile". www.baruch.cuny.edu. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  13. ^ Tarleton, John. "The Many Roles of Ms. Russell: Baruch Adjunct Steals the Show". PSC CUNY. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  14. ^ "Catherine Russell | Catherine Russell Off Broadway | New York". Catherine Russell OB. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  15. ^ a b Bahr, Sarah (December 7, 2024). "How Catherine Russell, of 'Perfect Crime,' Spends Her Sundays". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  16. ^ "'Tell Me Something I Don't Know' van Stitcher op Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts (in Dutch). Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  17. ^ Tarleton, John. "The Many Roles of Ms. Russell: Baruch Adjunct Steals the Show". PSC CUNY. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
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