Aaron Russo
Born in Brooklyn and raised on Long Island, producer Aaron Russo began
promoting rock and roll shows at local theaters while still a high school
student. He then worked for his family's undergarment business, where in
1963, he designed the first ladies bikini under wear. Five years later the
twenty four year old entrepreneur opened his own nightclub in Chicago
called the Kinetic Playground which became a driving force in the music
business, where Aaron helped create the careers of many legendary
performers, such as Led Zeppelin. Aaron was responsible for bringing them
to America for the first time. He also promoted some of the 60's most
successful rock acts, including The Who, Janis Joplin, The Grateful Dead
and Jefferson Airplane.
In 1972, Russo began his seven year partnership with Bette Midler, who
became a superstar during his management of her career. In 1975 he
produced the Tony award- winning "Clams on the Half-Shell Revue," which
starred Bette Midler and Lionel Hampton. At the time it was the most
successful ten-week broadway revue in history, grossing more than $1.8
million. While serving as Midler's manager, Russo created and managed the
Manhattan Transfer. Later his roster would include such personalities as
David Keith, Frederic Forest, Susan Sarandon and other notable clients.
When Russo turned to producing feature films, his production of "The
Rose", introduced Bette Midler to motion picture audiences. Midler
received an Academy Award nomination as best actress. "The Rose" is
considered by many to be the classic rock n' roll film. Russo also
produced "Trading Places," starring Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd, which
has become a Christmas classic, and "Teachers," starring Nick Nolte,
Morgan Freeman, and Ralph Macchio.
Over the past years, Russo has received numerous awards for his
achievements. They include a Grammy, a Tony, an Emmy for producing the
best television special of the year "OL' Red Hair is Back," starring
Dustin Hoffman and Bette Midler, plus many gold and platinum records. To
date his films have been nominated for six Academy Awards, as well as
seven Golden Globes. His films have won three Golden Globes, as well as
the Image Award.
He is now writing, producing, and directing a new feature
film/documentary titled "America...From Freedom To Fascism". The film is
an expose of the Internal Revenue Service, and proves conclusively there
is no law requiring an American citizen to pay a direct unapportioned Tax
on their labor. The film is very provocative and is receiving standing
ovations at its previews.
In 1996 Russo made a political video entitled "Aaron Russo's Mad as
Hell", which was a hit throughout America. He was asked by the people of
Nevada to run for governor and he made the decision to do so. The powers
that be in Nevada scoffed at his decision to run for governor but were
very surprised when he finished second with nearly thirty percent of the
vote, beating the sitting lieutenant governor. In January of 2004, he
declared his candidacy for the Libertarian Party's nomination for
President of the Untied States. At the Convention in May, Russo won the
first two ballots, but not a majority. He was defeated on the third and
final ballot. He then channelled his energy into writing/directing
America: From Freedom to Fascism.
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