Aaron Russo

Aaron Russo (February 14, 1943 – August 24, 2007) was an American entertainment businessman, film producer, director, and political activist. He was best known for producing movies including Trading Places, Wise Guys, and The Rose. Later in life, he created various political documentaries like Mad as Hell and America: Freedom to Fascism that were libertarian-leaning, and controversial for their endorsement of some cultural and political events, some of which are referred to as conspiracy theories. He sought public office as both a Republican and a Libertarian.

Early life Russo was born in Brooklyn, New York. Growing up in Lawrence, New York which is on Long Island, he worked for his family's undergarment business.

Entertainment career In April 1968, Russo opened the nightclub Kinetic Playground in Chicago originally naming it the Electric Theater. He booked numerous prominent rock groups and musicians there including the Grateful Dead, Iron Butterfly, Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin, King Crimson, Vanilla Fudge, Rotary Connection, and The Who. In addition to owning the club, Russo managed The Manhattan Transfer and Bette Midler and several other musical acts throughout the 1970s.

Russo then moved into producing and directing films. He received six Academy Award nominations and two of the films received multiple Golden Globe Award nominations. His first producing credit was for Midler's Clams on the Half-Shell Revue. Other notable feature films he produced include The Rose (1979), starring Midler and Trading Places (1983) with Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd. Irwin Russo was named as senior vice president of Aaron Russo Films which was based in Los Angeles. The company set up feature projects by 1988, with record division Aaron Russo Films and Aaron Russo Television being formed later.

He was also manager for actors Eric Roberts and David Keith.

In 1998, Russo highlighted his political interests, running for governor of Nevada as a Republican. During the 1998 Republican gubernatorial primary, Russo was attacked by Kenny Guinn’s campaign as "Dangerous for Nevada." CBS News reported that Guinn regained ground after airing an advertisement using 1996 footage of Russo "ranting about government." The Las Vegas Sun reported that the ad called Russo "Embarrassing to Nevada" and "Dangerous as governor"; Russo dismissed the attack as "name-calling."

After placing second in the Republican primary with 26% of the vote to Kenny Guinn, Russo later endorsed the Democratic nominee, Las Vegas mayor Jan Laverty Jones, who eventually lost to Guinn. Russo planned to run again for Nevada governor in 2002 as either an independent or Libertarian, but was sidelined when he discovered that he had cancer. In January 2004, he declared his candidacy for the President of the United States initially as an independent, but then as a Libertarian. At the Libertarian National Convention in May 2004, Russo received 258 votes to Michael Badnarik's 256 votes and Gary Nolan's 246 votes, short of the majority required to receive the presidential nomination. Russo lost the nomination on the convention's third and final ballot to Badnarik by a vote of 423–344.

In 2006 he produced the documentary America: Freedom to Fascism which advanced arguments against the legality of the federal income tax and the Federal Reserve. Critics described the film as moving from tax-protest arguments into broader conspiracy claims, including election fraud, Hurricane Katrina gun-confiscation claims, and a New World Order conspiracy theory narrative.

Illness and death In a February, 2004 interview with Las Vegas Weekly, Russo was asked about the bladder and prostate cancer that had derailed his 2002 campaign, and he replied: "The recovery is over. I did strong alternative medicine treatment." On August 24, 2007, Russo died at the age of 64 after a six-year battle with cancer at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Filmography

Film Year Film Notes 1979 The Rose 1982 Partners 1983 Trading Places 1984 Teachers 1986 Wise Guys 1989 Rude Awakening 1991 Off and Running Missing Pieces Final film as a producer

As director

Year Film 1989 Rude Awakening 2006 America: Freedom to Fascism

As an actor

Year Film Role Notes 1989 Rude Awakening The Fish Voice role

Music department

Year Film Role Notes 1984 Teachers Soundtrack album producer Uncredited

Television Year Title Credit Notes 1975 Manhattan Transfer Executive producer 1976 The Bette Midler Show Television special Standing Room Only 1977 Bette Midler: Ol' Red Hair Is Back Executive producer Television special