Russell Simmons
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- October 4, 1957 in Queens, New York, USA
- Active Years
- 1956–2026 (71 Years)
- Total Credits
- 84 credits in database
Biography
Russell Wendell Simmons was born on October 4, 1957, in Queens, New York, USA. He is an American entrepreneur, writer, and record executive. Alongside Rick Rubin, he co-founded the hip-hop label Def Jam Recordings. In addition to his work in the music industry, Simmons created the clothing fashion lines Phat Farm, Argyleculture, American Classics, and Tantris. He has also promoted a yoga lifestyle and veganism, and has published books focusing on lifestyle and health. Known by the full name Russell Wendell Simmons, his career includes work in acting with a total of seventy-eight known credits recorded on the Movie Database platform.
Career overview
Russell Wendell Simmons is an American entrepreneur, writer, and record executive who was born on October 4, 1957, in Queens, New York, USA. He is recognized as the co-founder, alongside Rick Rubin, of the pioneering hip-hop label Def Jam, which is also referred to as Def Jam Recordings. In addition to his work in the music industry, Simmons has created several clothing fashion lines, including Phat Farm, Argyleculture, American Classics, and Tantris.
Beyond his business ventures in fashion and music, Simmons has promoted a yoga lifestyle and veganism, and has published books focusing on lifestyle topics. In the entertainment sphere, his work includes television and film contributions, with known credits totaling seventy-eight items within the database. His professional background spans entrepreneurship, writing, and record executive duties, establishing his prominent status in the American entertainment and fashion industries.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
84 titles- Robot Dracula (2026) as Russell
- Sean Combs: The Reckoning (2025) as Self (archive footage)
- Payback (2022) as Self - Funeral Attendee (archive footage)
- Beastie Boys Story (2020) as Self (archive footage)
- Undateable John (2019) as Suicide Hotline Operator
- A Fatherless America (2019) as Self
- Survivor's Guide to Prison (2018) as Self
- ReMastered: Who Killed Jam Master Jay? (2018) as Self
- G-Funk (2017) as Self
- Feel Rich: Health Is the New Wealth (2017) as Himself
- Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You (2016) as Self
- ADD Presents: Tyree Elaine (2016) Executive Producer
- On Meditation (2016) as Self
- Vegan: Everyday Stories (2016) as Self
- ADD Presents: Robert Powell (2016) Executive Producer
- All Def Comedy (2016) Executive Producer
- Unity (2015) as Narrator (voice)
- Awake: The Life of Yogananda (2014) as Self
- The Arsenio Hall Show (2013) as Self
- Acting Disruptive (2013) as Self
- Russell Simmons Presents: The Ruckus (2012) as Self
- The Tents (2012) as Self
- Yoga Is: A Transformational Journey (2012) as Himself
- My Favorite Place (2011) as Self
- Lemon (2011) Executive Producer
- Running Russell Simmons (2010)
- Running Russell Simmons (2010) Producer
- The Nate Berkus Show (2010)
- Rappin' With The Rickster (2010) as Self
- Jim Jones - This Is Jim Jones (2009) as Self
- Shooting Star(s): The Rise of Hip Hop Photographer Johnny Nunez (2009) as Self
- Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane (2008) as Self
- In Prison My Whole Life (2008) as Self
- The Black List: Volume One (2008) as Self
- 2 Turntables and a Microphone (2008) as Self
- The Henry Rollins Show (2006)
- Jamie Kennedy's Blowin' Up (2006)
- Waist Deep (2006) Executive Producer
- The Hip Hop Project (2006) as Self
- Def Comedy Jam Classics: Volume Two (2006) as Self
- The Colbert Report (2005) as Self - Guest
- Run's House (2005) Producer
- Run's House (2005) Creator
- It's the Shoes (2005) as Self
- The History Makers: Success (2005) Director
- Street Fury: Envy (2005)
- 9/11/03: A Day in the Life of New York (2005)
- The L Word (2004) as Self
- The Celebrity Apprentice (2004)
- America Beyond the Color Line (2004) as Self
- Hip Hop Honors (2004)
- And You Don't Stop: 30 Years of Hip-Hop (2004) Executive Producer
- And You Don't Stop: 30 Years of Hip-Hop (2004) Executive Producer
- Run DMC: Forever Kings (2004) as Self
- Real Time with Bill Maher (2003) as Self
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) as Self - Guest
- Death of a Dynasty (2003) as Self (uncredited)
- Beef (2003) as Self
- Brown Sugar (2002) as Self
- The Hamptons (2002) as Self
- American Rap Stars (2002) as Self
- It's Black Entertainment (2002) as Self
- Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam All Stars (2001) as Himself
- Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam All Stars (2001) Creator
- Def Comedy Jam, Vol. 6 (2001) Writer
- Def Comedy Jam, Vol. 7 (2000) Writer
- The Hip Hop Years (1999) as Self
- Butter (1998) as Celebrity Guest #2
- Motown 40: The Music Is Forever (1998) as Self
- Gridlock'd (1997) Executive Producer
- How to Be a Player (1997) Producer
- Moesha (1996) as Russell Simmons
- The Nutty Professor (1996) Producer
- The Addiction (1995) Executive Producer
- The Show (1995) as Self
- Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993) as Self - Guest
- Def Comedy Jam (1992) Producer
- Def Comedy Jam (1992) Creator
- Tougher Than Leather (1988) as Self
- Tougher Than Leather (1988) Producer
- Big Fun in the Big Town (1986) as Self
- Krush Groove (1985) as Crocket
- Krush Groove (1985) Co-Producer
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Winner
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Russell Simmons best known for?
Russell Simmons is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Sean Combs: The Reckoning (2025), Beastie Boys Story (2020), Survivor's Guide to Prison (2018), ReMastered: Who Killed Jam Master Jay? (2018).
When and where was Russell Simmons born?
Russell Simmons was born on October 4, 1957 in Queens, New York, USA.
How many credits does Russell Simmons have?
Russell Simmons has accumulated over 84 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1956 to 2026.
What is Russell Simmons's background in cinema and television?
Russell Wendell Simmons was born on October 4, 1957, in Queens, New York, USA. He is an American entrepreneur, writer, and record executive. Alongside Rick Rubin, he co-founded the hip-hop label Def Jam Recordings. In addition to his work in the music industry, Simmons created the clothing fashion lines Phat Farm, Argy...
Russell Simmons by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The L Word (2004) as Self — aged about 46
- Beastie Boys Story (2020) as Self (archive footage) — aged about 62
- Sean Combs: The Reckoning (2025) as Self (archive footage) — aged about 67
- Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993) as Self - Guest — aged about 35
- Moesha (1996) as Russell Simmons — aged about 38
- The Colbert Report (2005) as Self - Guest — aged about 47
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