William Russ

William Russ (born October 20, 1950) is an American actor and television director. He played Alan Matthews on the sitcom Boy Meets World (1993–2000) and appeared in the television series Wiseguy, the soap operas Another World and The Young and the Restless and the feature films The Right Stuff (1983), Pastime (1990) and American History X (1998).

William Russ
Russ as Burt McGowan with Gail Brown on Another World, 1977.
Born (1950-10-20) October 20, 1950
Portsmouth, Virginia, U.S.
Other namesRusty Russ
EducationUniversity of Michigan
OccupationActor, television director
Years active1977–present
Spouse(s)Clare Wren
Children2

Career

Russ' acting first began on the New York stage before he embarked onto a television and film career. In 1977, he had his first supporting role in Death Bed: The Bed That Eats. This film would not be officially released until 2003.

During the 1980s, Russ found work in more supporting roles such as Crisis at Central High (1981), a television film also starring Academy Award winning actress Joanne Woodward, The Border (1981), The Right Stuff (1983) as Slick Goodlin, St. Elsewhere (1986) and Crime Story (1986).

He continued finding work in both television and film. He also guest-starred in the television series Miami Vice in the 1985 episode "Evan" as the title character, an ATF agent who shared a history with Don Johnson's character, Sonny Crockett. He made fourteen appearances on the 1987–1990 crime drama Wiseguy as Roger Lococco.

Russ received critical acclaim when he starred in Pastime (1991) as Roy Dean Bream, a veteran minor league hurler who mentors a young phenomenon. The role earned him a nomination at the 1992 Independent Spirit Awards for "Best Male Lead."

In 1993, he was cast as Alan Matthews on the television sitcom Boy Meets World. Russ played this role until the series ended in 2000. Russ also directed several episodes of the series during the last three seasons. His other television directing credits include directing one episode of both Lizzie McGuire and Rude Awakening.

However, he continued performing in other series and films throughout his time on Boy Meets World, primarily television films. In 1998, he performed as Danny and Derek Vinyard's father in the critically acclaimed American History X. Later, he starred in the short-lived television serial drama Mister Sterling.

In fall 2009, it was announced that Russ would be cast as the new character Tucker on The Young and the Restless. Russ' time on the show was short, however, as it has been announced the role of Tucker was being recast with Stephen Nichols replacing Russ in the role.[1]

Russ is the star of the comedy web series Home at Last. In the series, he portrays "Bob", a homeless man who moves in with the son he abandoned at birth.

In 2014, Russ reprised his role of Alan Matthews from Boy Meets World on its spinoff Girl Meets World. In season 2, he joined the production crew, and directed one episode, being the only cast member to direct episodes of both Boy Meets World and Girl Meets World.

Filmography
Film
Year Title Role Notes
1977 Death Bed: The Bed That Eats Sharon's Brother
1979 Just You and Me, Kid Demesta
1980 Cruising Paul Gaines
1981 Cattle Annie and Little Britches Little Dick Raidler
1982 The Border Jimbo
1983 The Right Stuff Slick Goodlin
1984 Courage Sonny
1985 Beer Merle Draggett
1987 Wanted: Dead or Alive Danny Quintz
Dead of Winter Rob Sweeney
1988 The Unholy Luke
1989 Disorganized Crime Nick Bartkowski
1991 Pastime Roy Dean Bream
1992 Traces of Red Michael Dobson
1993 Aspen Extreme Dave Ritchie
1997 When Danger Follows You Home Det. Tyler Barnes
1998 American History X Dennis Vinyard
2001 Buck Naked Arson Ranger Lightcap
Life as a House Uncredited
2009 Gary's Walk Vernon
Pawn Justin Elliot Randolph Short film
A Fork in the Road Det. Ross
2010 1,001 Ways to Enjoy the Missionary Position Evan
2011 Green Guys Peter Donnelly
2012 California Solo Rusty
2013 Drones General Lawson
2018 Between Waves Sonny
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1978 Another World Burt McGowan Unknown episodes
1981 Crisis at Central High J.O. Powell TV movie
1982 CBS Library Rattlesnake Episode: "Robbers, Rooftops and Witches"
Rehearsal for Murder Frank Heller TV movie
The Dukes of Hazzard Josh Scroggins Episode: "The New Dukes"
1983 Remington Steele Chance McCormick Episode: "Steele's Gold"
V Brad TV miniseries
1985 Riptide Mack McPherson Episode: "Polly Want an Explanation"
Miami Vice Evan Freed Episode: "Evan"
Hunter Jack Lachman Episode: "Fire Man"
Command 5 J.D. Smith TV movie
The Long Hot Summer Jody Varner TV movie
1986 St. Elsewhere Patrick O'Casey Episodes: "Time Heals (1)", "Time Heals (2)"
Blood & Orchids Lloyd Murdoch TV movie
Second Serve Josh TV movie
Houston: The Legend of Texas William Travis TV movie
Crime Story Det. Wes Connelly Episodes: "Pilot (1)", "Pilot (2)", "Crime Pays"
1987 Tour of Duty Sgt. Early Ray Michaels Episode: "War Lover"
1988 The Loner Jake Wilis TV movie
1988–1990 Wiseguy Roger Lococco 14 episodes
1989 Nasty Boys Ben Farlow TV movie
1990 Capital News Redmond Dunne 13 episodes
A Promise to Keep Carl TV movie
1991 Gabriel's Fire Brad Fixx Episode: "Truth and Consequences"
The Young Riders Roger Episode: "Daisy"
Crazy From the Heart Dewey Whitcomb TV movie
1992 Bad City Story Jim Malone Unsold TV pilot
Drive Like Lightning Boll Donner TV movie
Middle Ages Terry 3 episodes
1993 The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. Jack Randolph Episode: "Socrates' Sister"
CBS Schoolbreak Special Coach Jim Doane Episode: "Other Mothers"
seaQuest DSV Rusty Thomas Episode: "Brothers and Sisters"
1993–2000 Boy Meets World Alan Matthews Main role, 120 episodes, Directed 9 Episodes
1994 Viper Mr. Townsend Episode: Pilot
1995 Big Dreams and Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story Bill West TV movie
The Marshal Loyal Truscott Episode: "Pilot"
Legend Wild Bill Hickok Episode: "The Life, Death, and Life of Wild Bill Hickok"
Trail of Tears David TV movie
1996 Have You Seen My Son Van Stein TV movie
A Husband, a Wife and a Lover Art Maskin TV movie
Nash Bridges Scott Lamont/"The Monk" Episode: "Trackdown"
1997 Night Sins Sheriff Steiger TV miniseries
Stargate SG-1 Capt. Jonas Hansen Episode: "The First Commandment"
1999 A Secret Life Mark Whitman TV movie
Replacing Dad George Marsh TV movie
Come On Get Happy: The Partridge Family Story Joseph Bonaduce TV movie
2000 Ally McBeal Michael Bassett Episodes: "Two's a Crowd", "Without a Net"
Level 9 Agent Colter Episode: "A Price to Pay"
2001 Touched by an Angel Prof. Thomas North Episode: "Holy of Holies"
2002 The Division Jesse Whalen Episode: "Shelby"
Crossing Jordan D.A. Jack Olson Episode: "There's No Place Like Home"
MDs James Wiles Episode: "A La Casa"
Robbery Homicide Division Elliot Ayers Episode: "City of Strivers"
2003 Mister Sterling Tommy Doyle Main role, 10 episodes
Dragnet Ted Paris Episode: "Redemption"
The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire Rev. Deeker Episode: "Sleeping Lions"
Finding John Christmas Hank McAllister TV movie
2004 Silver Lake Phil Patterson TV movie
Deadwood Otis Russell Episodes: "Jewel's Boot Is Made for Walking", "Sold Under Sin"
CSI: NY Mr. Prescott Episode: "Creatures of the Night"
JAG Maj. Gen. Earl Watson Episodes: "Fighting Words", "This Just In from Baghdad"
NYPD Blue Hal Matheson Episode: "I Love My Wives, But Oh You Kid"
2005 The West Wing Dan Episode: "Message of the Week"
Without a Trace Max Cassidy Episode: "Freefall"
2005–2008 Boston Legal A.D.A Christopher Palmer 5 episodes
2006 The Sopranos Paul Calviano Episode: "Moe n' Joe"
Just Legal Bartender Episode: "The Bar"
Reunion Congress Clark Episodes: "1995", "1996"
2007 Demons Senator Carney Unsold TV pilot
Ghost Whisperer Bill Bristow Episode: :Dead to Rights"
Numb3rs Michael Shannon Episode: "Money for Nothing"
Standoff Warren Keegan Episode: "Road Trip"
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Jonah Quinn Episode: "The Case of the Cross-Dressing Carp"
2008 Wildfire Congressman Dean Nichols Episode: "The More Things Change (1)", "The More Things Change (2)", "Friendship/Passion"
The Ex List Jimmy Bloom Recurring role, 9 episodes
2009 The Mentalist Dooley Gerber Episode: "Black Gold and Red Blood"
2009–2010 The Young and the Restless Tucker McCall
2010 Cold Case Tim Hudson Episode: "The Last Drive-In"
2011 Home At Last Bob Episodes 1–6
2011 90210 Salty's Place owner Episode: "Up in Smoke"
2011 Leverage Morris Beck Episode: "The 10 Li'l Grifters Job"
2012 Criminal Minds Donald Collins Episode: "A Family Affair"
2012 Awake Jim Mayhew Episode: "Guilty"
2012 NCIS Phillip Wickes Episode: "The Tell"
2014–2017 Girl Meets World Alan Matthews Episodes: "Girl Meets Home for the Holidays", "Girl Meets Goodbye" (Directed "Girl Meets Hurricane")
2015 Scandal Frank Holland Episode: "Even the Devil Deserves a Second Chance"
2017 Colony Hennessey 3 episodes
2018 Bosch Captain Garwood 3 episodes
2019 9-1-1 Chuck 2 episodes

Awards and nominations

Independent Spirit Awards

  • 1992: Nominated, "Best Male Lead" – Pastime
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References
  1. Masters, Liz. "Y&R News: Y&R hires DAYS/GH vet to take over the role of Tucker | The Young and the Restless". Soapcentral. Retrieved 2010-07-27.
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