Alexander Andrew Russell (born 11 December 1987) is an Australian actor and director. He made his film debut in the thriller film Wasted on the Young (2011) before his breakout with a starring role in the found footage superhero film Chronicle (2012).
Russell had starring roles in the films Bait 3D (2012) and Believe Me (2014), and supporting roles in the films The Host (2013), Carrie (2013), and Unbroken (2014). In the mid-to-late 2010s, Russell starred in the films Goldstone (2016) and Jungle (2017), and had a supporting role in the biographical film Only the Brave (2017). He had a main role as Jim Street on the first six seasons of the CBS action drama television series S.W.A.T. (2017–2025).
Early life and education Alexander Andrew Russell was born on 11 December 1987 in Brisbane and grew up in Rockhampton, Queensland. He is the son of bariatric and general surgeon Andrew Russell and interior designer Frances Russell who also own Capricorn Bariatric & General Surgery in Rockhampton, Australia. He has a younger brother, Dominic who also has an interest in directing films and works as a teacher as well. Alex also has a younger sister, Georgiana who is a content creator and PR consultant.
He finished studies at Rockhampton Grammar School in 2004 and afterward attended the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Sydney.
Career Russell made his debut in the 2010 film Wasted on the Young. In 2011, he appeared in two short films, The Best Man and Halloween Knight. He directed a short film as well, titled Love and Dating in L.A., which was featured on El Rey Network's Peoples Showcase: Horror Edition.
In 2012, Russell starred in Josh Trank's found footage science fiction film Chronicle, which was a critical and commercial success. A year later, he featured in Kimberly Peirce's remake of Stephen King's Carrie as Billy Nolan, a role originated by John Travolta. In 2014, he starred in the independent film Believe Me.
Five years after his TV debut as a guest star on NTSF:SD:SUV in 2012, Russell joined the main cast of the 2017 reboot of the 1975 series S.W.A.T. as Officer Jim Street, the role originally played by Robert Urich.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 2010 Wasted on the Young Zack Almost Kings Hass 2012 Chronicle Matt Garetty Bait 3D Ryan 2013 The Host Seeker Burns Carrie Billy Nolan Love and Dating in L.A. Short film; director 2014 Believe Me Sam Atwell Cut Snake Sparra Farrell Unbroken Pete Zamperini 2015 Prisoner of War Bo Pacific Standard Time 2016 Goldstone Josh Blood in the Water Percy 2017 Only the Brave Andrew Ashcraft Jungle Kevin Rabbit Ralph 2018 Brampton's Own Dustin 2020 Under My Skin Ryan
Television Year Title Role Notes 2012 NTSF:SD:SUV Stewie Mears Episode: "16 Hop Street" 2015 Galyntine Roman Television film 2017–2024 S.W.A.T. Jim Street Main role, also director
Director Year Title Notes 2021–2025 S.W.A.T. "Safe House", "Witness", "SNAFU", "Devil Dog"
References
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