Biography

A posthumous induction with information provided by Marina Allan, widow and co-workers Chris Anderson and Glenn Ruehland.

Russell was born in May 1947 at Epworth Hospital, Richmond Victoria, to Jack and Phylis Allan. He was one of seven children who were schooled between Mt Dandenong and Cobden Victoria.

Like many before him, Russell developed coping skills for dyslexia and found a passion in all things mechanical. Russell, still in his teens, was quite capable of stripping down and rebuilding any car and honed his driving skills in a nearby paddock.

In the early 1970’s Russ was racing cars at Phillip Island, Victoria; against such legendary names as the late Peter Brock and Alan Moffat. On one occasion Russell even beat Peter Brock home for the checkered flag.

Russell’s driving skills did not go unnoticed and he was soon asked to do a driving job on the well-known Victorian television production “Cop Shop”; thus beginning an illustrious career as a stunt driver.

Also well known in Victoria was a series of Transport Accident Commission (TAC) commercials featuring Russ’s driving skills in both cars and trucks.

Well before all of this, Russell had been teaching himself two-wheel driving and of course developed his skills to a point where he could tip almost any vehicle with four wheels up onto two. In doing so, Russell achieved World Records for two wheeling a tractor and a small truck.

Such was Russell’s skill he was able to aim a F100 ute at a forklift truck, spin 180 degrees and impale the rear of the ute on the forks of the forklift with fellow stuntman Glen Ruehland as passenger beside him.

Glenn Ruehland:

” I spent so many years on set with Russell and not one of those days was ever dull. He had a wicked sense of humour and warmth that endeared him to the Australian film industry. People genuinely loved him. I would often call him when working as a stunt co-ordinator and say I had a job for him…. he would always say “if it has a steering wheel I can do it”. Over the years he ran over me, crashed cars into me, crashed cars with me in the car with him, stood by and made unbelievably important contributions to keeping me safe as well as those all around him. The piece of action referred to above was called “Running from the Guns”. I was a passenger with Russ driving the F100 ute. The ute had to do a 180 spin and then go backwards into a forklift with the forks coming through the back window and narrowly missing both our heads. It is a stunt that I would only have done with Russ driving. He was accurate, always nervous and in true Russ style he would always say, “I don’t really know what I’m doing”. He was without a doubt an absolute legend. I miss him greatly.”

Chris Anderson:

“I first worked with Russell on Special Squad in 1984 and this was the start of a very long relationship. We worked on so many television commercials and films together; I was always in awe of his ability to steer a vehicle no matter what type or size to wherever it was required. We had many close calls, “All Scripted”. His timing was truly amazing, always spot on. I can’t praise this man enough. He was one of the true greats in our industry. Producers, directors, crew and other stunt performers all loved him. Always calm under pressure, but there was that smile and sense of humour that created the legend he was. He is sorely missed by all who knew him.“

Russell’s skills, wide and varied, were not confined to the racetrack or film set. He was romantic, passionate and compassionate. Marina tells of Russell arriving home, often with flowers for no particular reason. On another occasion a man visited their house in obvious distress. Russell listened, then walked the man home and stayed with him all night; thus alleviating him of his desired final act.

In 1999 Russell was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease which he rallied and fought against with all his might. I can remember working on a commercial with Russell doing a precision driving job, something he was more than capable of. Such was the esteem, along with his accuracy and precision, crew members would refer to Russell as “our Russ”.

Further to that, I also witnessed Russell having an acute sense of timing, along with great wit and humour; however the stories he passed on to me were more about the love for his wife Marina.

Marina; Russell loved you and his big heart was bursting with pride.



Researched & Written by Spike Cherrie