John A. Russo

John A. Russo

85 · Born: Sep 2, 1939

Personal Details

BornSep 2, 1939 Clarion, Pennsylvania, USA

Biography

John Russo, a renowned author and filmmaker, has made a lasting impact in the entertainment industry. With an impressive portfolio of twenty published books and nineteen feature movies in worldwide distribution, he has earned the title of "living legend." Russo's writing career began with the co-authoring of the screenplay for Night of the Living Dead, a horror classic that has stood the test of time.

His expertise in the art and craft of moviemaking has been showcased in three books that have become bibles for independent production. One of these books, Scare Tactics, won a national award for Superior Nonfiction. Noted filmmakers such as Quentin Tarantino have credited Russo's books with helping them launch their careers.

Russo's passion for storytelling has led him to create a wide range of novels and films, including Return of the Living Dead, Midnight, The Majorettes, The Awakening, and Heartstopper. His most recent novel, The Hungry Dead, was published by Kensington Books and continues his legacy of thrilling readers and audiences alike.

In addition to his writing and filmmaking endeavors, Russo has also ventured into comic book territory. His screenplay for Escape of the Living Dead was adapted into a five-part comic book series by Avatar, which received great acclaim and even made the Top Ten of Horror Comics nationally. The series spawned two graphic novels and ten sequels, cementing Russo's status as a master of the horror genre.

Russo's upcoming projects include directing a remake of his cult hit, Midnight, as well as a brand new take on the "zombie phenomenon" entitled Spawn of the Dead. His short story Channel 666 appears in The Big Book of Bizarro, further showcasing his versatility as a writer.

Throughout his career, Russo has maintained a strong connection with his fans, regularly appearing at movie conventions as a featured guest. One of the highlights of his career was his appearance at the Orion Festival, hosted by Kirk Hammett and Metallica. With his numerous accomplishments and continued popularity among genre fans, John Russo remains a force to be reckoned with in the world of horror and entertainment.

Career

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2023
Crackcoon
Crackcoon as Lewis Smith
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{"id":210396,"title":"Midnight","year":"2020","character":"Father Stephen","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/midnight-2020","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_210396.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_210396.jpg"},"released":1}
2020
Midnight
Midnight as Father Stephen
{"id":113918,"title":"My Uncle John Is a Zombie!","year":"2017","character":"Uncle John","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/my-uncle-john-is-a-zombie","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_113918.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_113918.jpg"},"released":1}
2017
{"id":138499,"title":"Killer Campout","year":"2017","character":"Burt","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/killer-campout","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_138499.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_138499.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":57274,"title":"Santa Claws","year":"1996","character":"Detective","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/santa-claws-1996","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_57274.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_57274.jpg"},"released":1}
1996
Santa Claws
Santa Claws as Detective
{"id":159844,"title":"The Inheritor","year":"1990","character":"Minister","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-inheritor","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_159844.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_159844.jpg"},"released":1}
1990
The Inheritor
The Inheritor as Minister
{"id":60961,"title":"The Majorettes","year":"1986","character":"Coroner","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-majorettes","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_60961.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_60961.jpg"},"released":1}
1986
{"id":164163,"title":"The Liberation of Cherry Janowski","year":"1976","character":"Doctor \/ Various Characters (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-liberation-of-cherry-janowski","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_164163.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_164163.jpg"},"released":1}
1976
The Liberation of Cherry Janowski
The Liberation of Cherry Janowski as Doctor / Various Characters (uncredited)
{"id":2456,"title":"Night of the Living Dead","year":"1968","character":"Washington Military Reporter","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/night-of-the-living-dead","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7623lvl7or70.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7623lvl7or70.jpg"},"released":1}
1968
Night of the Living Dead
Night of the Living Dead as Washington Military Reporter
{"id":243637,"title":"My Life with the Living Dead","year":"2024","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/my-life-with-the-living-dead","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_243637.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_243637.jpg"},"released":1}
2024
{"id":180633,"title":"Stale Popcorn and Sticky Floors","year":"2023","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/stale-popcorn-and-sticky-floors","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_180633.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_180633.jpg"},"released":1}
2023
{"id":260665,"title":"Marauders from the Mediterranean: The Macabre Magic of the Spanish Zombie Film","year":"2022","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/marauders-from-the-mediterranean-the-macabre-magic-of-the-spanish-zombie-film","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_260665.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_260665.jpg"},"released":1}
2022
{"id":202314,"title":"The History of Metal and Horror","year":"2021","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-history-of-metal-and-horror","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_202314.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_202314.jpg"},"released":1}
2021
{"id":144652,"title":"Chronicles of the Living Dead","year":"2015","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/chronicles-of-the-living-dead","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_144652.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_144652.jpg"},"released":1}
2015
{"id":229491,"title":"Smoke and Mirrors: The Story of Tom Savini","year":"2015","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/smoke-and-mirrors-the-story-of-tom-savini","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_229491.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_229491.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":38444,"title":"Dead Meat Walking: A Zombie Walk Documentary","year":"2014","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/dead-meat-walking-a-zombie-walk-documentary","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_38444.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_38444.jpg"},"released":1}
2014
{"id":12135,"title":"More Brains! A Return to the Living Dead","year":"2011","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/more-brains-a-return-to-the-living-dead","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_12135.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_12135.jpg"},"released":1}
2011
{"id":255207,"title":"Autopsy of the Dead","year":"2009","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/autopsy-of-the-dead","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_255207.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_255207.jpg"},"released":1}
2009
{"id":78152,"title":"One for the Fire: The Legacy of 'Night of the Living Dead'","year":"2008","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/one-for-the-fire-the-legacy-of-night-of-the-living-dead-2008","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_78152.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_78152.jpg"},"released":1}
2008
{"id":78206,"title":"UnConventional","year":"2004","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/unconventional","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_78206.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_78206.jpg"},"released":1}
2004
{"id":58871,"title":"Reflections on the Living Dead","year":"1993","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/reflections-on-the-living-dead","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_58871.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_58871.jpg"},"released":1}
1993
{"id":149094,"title":"Tom Savini: Horror Effects","year":"1989","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/tom-savini-horror-effects","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_149094.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_149094.jpg"},"released":1}
1989
{"id":61480,"title":"Drive-in Madness!","year":"1987","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/drive-in-madness-1987","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_61480.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_61480.jpg"},"released":1}
1987
{"id":242163,"title":"The Night They Came Home","year":"2024","job":"Screenplay","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-night-they-came-home","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/2ntkkc4nc8pg.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/2ntkkc4nc8pg.jpg"},"released":1}
2024
{"id":243637,"title":"My Life with the Living Dead","year":"2024","job":"Writer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/my-life-with-the-living-dead","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_243637.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_243637.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":210396,"title":"Midnight","year":"2020","job":"Writer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/midnight-2020","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_210396.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_210396.jpg"},"released":1}
2020
Midnight
Midnight as Writer
{"id":122606,"title":"Another Night of the Living Dead","year":"2011","job":"Writer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/another-night-of-the-living-dead","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_122606.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_122606.jpg"},"released":1}
2011
{"id":60961,"title":"The Majorettes","year":"1986","job":"Novel, Screenplay","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-majorettes","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_60961.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_60961.jpg"},"released":1}
1986
The Majorettes
The Majorettes as Novel, Screenplay
{"id":10944,"title":"The Return of the Living Dead","year":"1985","job":"Story","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-return-of-the-living-dead","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3t3npq53n6cg.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3t3npq53n6cg.jpg"},"released":1}
1985
{"id":2456,"title":"Night of the Living Dead","year":"1968","job":"Screenplay","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/night-of-the-living-dead","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7623lvl7or70.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7623lvl7or70.jpg"},"released":1}
1968
{"id":275876,"title":"The Red Tide Massacre","year":"2022","job":"Director","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-red-tide-massacre","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_275876.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_275876.jpg"},"released":1}
2022
{"id":113918,"title":"My Uncle John Is a Zombie!","year":"2017","job":"Director, Screenplay","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/my-uncle-john-is-a-zombie","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_113918.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_113918.jpg"},"released":1}
2017
My Uncle John Is a Zombie!
My Uncle John Is a Zombie! as Director, Screenplay
{"id":154085,"title":"Saloonatics","year":"2002","job":"Director, Screenplay","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/saloonatics","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_154085.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_154085.jpg"},"released":1}
2002
Saloonatics
Saloonatics as Director, Screenplay
{"id":157167,"title":"Scream Queens' Naked Christmas","year":"1996","job":"Director, Screenplay","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/scream-queens-naked-christmas-1996","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_157167.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_157167.jpg"},"released":1}
1996
Scream Queens' Naked Christmas
Scream Queens' Naked Christmas as Director, Screenplay
{"id":57274,"title":"Santa Claws","year":"1996","job":"Director, Writer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/santa-claws-1996","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_57274.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_57274.jpg"},"released":1}
Santa Claws
Santa Claws as Director, Writer
{"id":58812,"title":"Midnight 2","year":"1993","job":"Director, Writer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/midnight-2","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_58812.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_58812.jpg"},"released":1}
1993
Midnight 2
Midnight 2 as Director, Writer
{"id":158981,"title":"Scream Queens Swimsuit Sensations","year":"1992","job":"Director","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/scream-queens-swimsuit-sensations","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_158981.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_158981.jpg"},"released":1}
1992
{"id":158914,"title":"Heartstopper","year":"1989","job":"Director, Writer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/heartstopper-1989","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_158914.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_158914.jpg"},"released":1}
1989
Heartstopper
Heartstopper as Director, Writer
{"id":21544,"title":"Midnight","year":"1982","job":"Director, Screenplay","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/midnight","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_21544.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_21544.jpg"},"released":1}
1982
Midnight
Midnight as Director, Screenplay
{"id":164163,"title":"The Liberation of Cherry Janowski","year":"1976","job":"Director, Writer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-liberation-of-cherry-janowski","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_164163.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_164163.jpg"},"released":1}
1976