Aaron Russo, a self-made millionaire in the show business, defied conventional wisdom by achieving immense success without completing his secondary education. Born in 1943 in Brooklyn, New York, Russo's early life was marked by his involvement in his family's business.
As a young entrepreneur, Russo managed the renowned Chicago nightclub, the Kinetic Playground, from 1968 to 1973, with a brief hiatus due to a devastating fire. During his tenure, he had the privilege of booking iconic bands such as The Doors, The Who, The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, and other prominent acts of the era.
Russo's impressive career in show business also included managing the careers of renowned artists like The Manhattan Transfer and Bette Midler. In 1979, he produced the film "The Rose," which marked Midler's first starring role.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Russo continued to produce and direct films, including "Rude Awakening." He then shifted his focus to combining politics with entertainment, attempting to sell a pilot for a television show called "Aaron Russo's Mad As Hell" in the early 1990s.
After facing difficulties in selling the program to networks, Russo released the pilot as a video in 1996. He also tried to establish a political party, the Constitution Party, in 1994.
Russo's political aspirations led him to run for the Republican party nomination for governor of Nevada in 1998, although he ultimately lost. In 2004, he ran for the Libertarian party's presidential nomination, losing the third ballot to a competitor by a narrow margin.
Despite his defeat, Russo remained committed to his political ideals and offered to produce campaign ads for the winning candidate. His final film, the documentary "America: Freedom to Fascism" (2006),was a testament to his dedication to exploring the intersection of politics and entertainment.
Aaron Russo's remarkable life came to a close in 2007, when he passed away from bladder cancer in Los Angeles, California. Throughout his life, Russo's entrepreneurial spirit, creative vision, and unwavering commitment to his passions left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment and beyond.
