Biography
Actor and producer Amy Russ thrives on the power of storytelling. She has worked on sets from groundbreaking indie films to projects with NBC, CBS, Netflix, HBO, 20th Century Fox, A&E, and USA Network, among others. Most recently, she starred in the award-winning film, AMBROSIA, currently making the festival rounds. She also made a memorable appearance as Allie's Mom in the box office hit TERRIFIER 2, winning passionate fans and even inspiring tattoos and fan art of her character's likeness.
Audiences will remember Amy for her numerous film and television appearances, most notably as Carol Gordon, sister-in-law to Josh Radnor, on NBC's drama-musical series, RISE, Dawn in Crazy Eyes' backstory on the acclaimed Netflix original series, ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK, and for sporting a black eye opposite Sarah Jessica Parker and Thomas Hayden Church on HBO's fan favorite series, DIVORCE. Her credits also include roles on THE BLACKLIST, ROYAL PAINS, and the series finale of HBO's mega-hit, THE SOPRANOS, directed by creator David Chase.
Amy has brought juicy roles to life on-stage as well. She starred as the brilliant scientist Sonia in Boston's New Repertory Theatre's production of David Rambo's climatology tale, THE ICE-BREAKER, as part of the National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere. Amy also co-starred in the leading role of Mary Bailey in IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY at the Music Theatre of Connecticut, which earned a Moss Hart Award. Additionally, she has frequented many well-respected NYC theaters, including Atlantic Stage, Soho Rep, New World Stages and The Belt Theatre among others. Amy is proud to have been a part of the USO, singing for veterans and active military at Walter Reed and the Bob Hope Center.
Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio and now based in New York City, Amy honed her craft at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts before studying with renowned teachers Tim Phillips, Caryn West, Ted Sluberski, and the late Gene Frankel.
After working with Meryl Streep and Steven Spielberg in the Oscar-nominated film, THE POST, Amy was inspired to co-found a production company, which became Promised the Moon Productions. Together with her producing partners, she has several projects in development, including a feature-length romcom with Zack Gottsagen (THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON), slated to shoot in April 2025 in Ohio. She's also the founder of the web design company, ActorWebs, a respected acting coach, and an Expert Contributor to Backstage Amy's mission is to tell transformative stories that inspire joy and empathy, and she is passionate about giving a voice to those who have historically been placed on the sidelines.
