David O. Russell

David Owen Russell (born August 20, 1958) is an American film director, screenwriter, and producer. Russell was born in New York City to Bernard and Maria (née Muzio) Russell. His father was a sales executive for Simon & Schuster. His father was from a Russian Jewish family and his mother was Italian American. Russell's maternal grandparents were Frank Muzio, born in Craco and Philomena Brancata born in Ferrandina, both in the Italian province of Matera. He was raised in an atheist household. He graduated from Amherst College.

About Mr. Russell

 His early directing career includes works such as: Spanking the Monkey (1994), Flirting with Disaster (1996), Three Kings (1999), and I Heart Huckabees (2004).

Russell's three most recent films were critically acclaimed and commercial hits: The Fighter (2010), Silver Linings Playbook (2012), and American Hustle (2013).

These recent films have earned Russell three consecutive Academy Award nominations for Best Director, as well as a Best Adapted Screenplay and a Best Original Screenplay nomination.With three nominations of Best Director for his work on The Fighter, Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle. A nomination of Best Adapted Screenplay for Silver Linings Playbook and a nomination of Best Original Screenplay for American Hustle.He has also been nominated for 3 BAFTA Awards winning 2 for Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle.

Ghetto Film SchoolIn 2002, Russell met Andrew Unger while receiving an honorary degree at Amherst College. Unger introduced Russell to Joe Hall, president of Ghetto Film School. After viewing some of the student work, Russell immediately joined the board of Ghetto Film School, located in The Bronx, New York. Along with fellow board members, Russell brought filmmaker friends, movie studios, and industry professionals to donate money and lend their time to teach classes and support the growth of young black and Latino filmmakers from the South Bronx and Harlem.

One of the connections Russell brought to the school, Rachael Horovitz, currently serves as the board chairman. In 2011, David O. Russell was honored at the Ghetto Film School's Spring Benefit, where president Joe Hall explained that the name was meant not to shy away from the notion of the term 'ghetto' - to use it in a positive way, a creative and educational way. On June 16, 2014, Ghetto Film School opened its new branch in Los Angeles. Russell is serving on the Los Angeles branch's board and enabling the school to host guest lecturers and accomplished film professionals. 21st Century Fox is also a supporter and partner of the Los Angeles branch.

DAVID O. RUSSELL