Kurt Russell Reflects on His Humble Beginnings
Kurt Russell has always recognized his roots—he grew up in a financially strained household and spent part of his childhood living in an attic.
In a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, Russell shared insights into his early life, particularly the time he spent in the attic of a family friend’s home in East Los Angeles.
“We started out in Rangeley, Maine, in a log cabin built by my grandparents in 1939. My dad played minor league baseball but had to give it up due to an injury,” Russell recounted.
“After his injury, he went to Florida for spring training, and that’s where he got cast in a role as a referee. He and my mom, Louise, moved us to California when I was just three or four. My dad was set on becoming an actor,” he explained.
“For two years, we lived in that attic in East Los Angeles,” he continued. Eventually, his father Bing managed to save enough to buy a house in Pacoima, located in the San Fernando Valley.
“As you get older and have less time left, you start to really reflect on what you’ve done with your life and what you wish to achieve moving forward.”
– Kurt Russell
Beginning his acting career at just ten years old on the sitcom Our Man Higgins, Russell recalled his first paycheck of $110, which he chose to spend on a gift for his sister, Jill.
“I took Jill to the bike shop and bought her two new Schwinn bikes. I told my dad’s agent, ‘Put me in, I love this,'” he noted.
Today, Russell stands as a prominent figure in Hollywood, currently sharing the screen with Michelle Pfeiffer in a new project called Madison.
In a conversation with Men’s Health earlier this month, he reflected on how he can relate to his character, Preston Clyburn. As life progresses, he feels a sense of urgency about the time he has left.
“You know, as you age, you think about what you’ve accomplished and what you still want to do,” Russell said.
He added that discussions he had while filming with Pfeiffer echoed the sentiments of his own long-term relationship with Goldie Hawn, which has lasted over 40 years.
“In some of their conversations, it reminded me of ones Goldie and I have had. Their relationship is something special, something you don’t see often anymore,” he shared.
“What makes it difficult for Michelle’s character is realizing the opportunities she could have had but let slip away due to her choices. Many people can resonate with that feeling of regret,” Russell concluded.
