Daniel Patrick Russell

Russell is from Umina Beach in New South Wales, Australia.^[1] His first role was the titular role in a 2007 community theatre production of Oliver!.^[2]

Russell's professional career began starring in Billy Elliot the Musical. After submitting a DVD, he was invited to audition in person, before landing the role in the Australian production, debuting on 25 April 2009. He was later flown to the United States to reprise the role on the Broadway Tour, alongside Faith Prince, commencing 14 November 2010.^[3][4] He received positive reviews, with The People's Critic stating that "Russell shines like some beacon of light" and BroadwayWorld Reviews stating that he was "beyond amazing with a powerful performance ..."^[5][6] While touring, Russell performed a special showcase on The Price is Right.^[7]

In 2019 it was announced that Russell would play one of the Jets in Steven Spielberg's film remake of West Side Story.^[8] The film released in theaters on 10 December 2021, after a year-long delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[9]

On 28 October 2021, it was announced that Russell would perform on Broadway in the revival of The Music Man starring Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster, playing at the Winter Garden Theatre, directed by Jerry Zaks.^[10][11][12] On 6 June 2022 Russell was awarded a special Theatre World Award for his performance alongside fellow cast members also making their Broadway debut with the production.^[13] Later that same week, Russell and the cast performed live at the 75th Tony Awards. He appeared on the official cast recording released on 23 September 2022.^[14]

Russell performed on the International Tour of West Side Story, directed by Lonny Price.^[15] The tour visited countries including Ireland, Japan, India, and Germany, and included a run of 85 performances in Paris seen by 138,385 audience members at the Théâtre du Châtelet from 20 October through 31 December 2023.^[16][17]

In 2024, Russell starred as the lead role of Christopher Boone in the San Diego premiere of the play The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.^[18] Over 6000 people submitted auditions for the production, and Russell landed the leading role by submitting tapes while overseas on tour in Europe.^[19] He received critical acclaim, The San Diego Union-Tribune stating, "Daniel Patrick Russell is flat-out astonishing as Christopher, a role that requires him to be onstage for virtually the entire play and portray extreme levels of emotional and physical trauma, as well as welcome flashes of utter joy."^[20] Stage West stated that "His energy, spontaneity and sensitivity to character are off the charts."^[21] Russell was awarded the 2024 Craig Noel Award for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play by the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle.^[22] He reprised the role in a remount at the Victoria Gardens Cultural Center in 2025. Russell was awarded a Scenie for his performance, alongside Sutton Foster who was co-awarded in the same category for Once Upon A Mattress.^[23][24]

In 2024 Russell played Travis Keating on the television show FBI.^[25]

Russell has autism spectrum disorder.^[30]