Craig Russell as His Ladies from Outrageous!

Craig Russell in "Outrageous"
In 1977 Russell made his film debut in the film Outrageous, based on Margaret Gibson's book Making It, a chronicle of Gibson's life as Russell's roommate. It was a huge hit and Russell would travel the world in its wake.

Russell Craig Eadie (January 10, 1948 October 30, 1990), known by his stage name of Craig Russell, was a Canadian live celeberity impersonator.
His impersonations included Carol Channing, Bette Davis, Mae West, Barbra Streisand, Tallulah Bankhead, Marlene Dietrich, Bette Midler, Anita Bryant, Peggy Lee and Judy Garland. While performing, he always spoke and sang in the voices of the celebrities he was impersonating.
As a teenager, Russell became president of Mae West's fan club, and briefly worked and lived in Los Angeles as West's secretary. He eventually returned to Toronto, where he moved in with Margaret Gibson and worked as a hairdresser while pursuing his career as a stage performer. By 1971, he was a regular performer in Toronto gay clubs and had a burgeoning international following.
Russell fathered one child, a daughter, Susan Allison ("Allison"), who was born January 6, 1973 in Toronto. Father and daughter developed a relationship in the years prior to his death.
In 1977, Russell starred in the film Outrageous!, based on a short story written by Gibson about their time as roommates.
Although he publicly identified as gay rather than bisexual, Russell married his close friend Lori Jenkins in 1982.
In 1987, Russell starred in the sequel to Outrageous!, appropriately titled Too Outrageous!
Russell remained married to Lori until his death in 1990 of a stroke related to complications from AIDS.
Craig was cremated and laid to rest in Port Perry, Ontario.
Lori Russell Eadie passed away August 15, 2008 at Toronto Grace Hospital after a long battle with cancer. Lori was laid to rest beside her beloved husband Craig at Pine Grove Cemetery (Prince Albert) in Port Perry.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Live
• Celeberity
• Impersonator
• Too
• Outrageous
• Craig
• Russell
• Toronto
• Judy
• Garland
• Carol
• Channing
• Marlene
• Dietrich
• Ella
• Fitzgerald
• Bette
• Midler

[Mykevin67]

Outrageous is amazing. As a child growing up in the 70's, the movie captures many iconic images of this era in Canada. The scene where there are drinking coffee in mugs at Tim Hortons, eating Long Johns and smoking cigarettes is pure 70's Canadiana. The movie is stunning on so many levels, not to mention Craig's performances as Mae West, Bette Davis, Carol Channing, Peggy Lee, Marlene Dietrich and more. This movie should be placed in the national archives of Canada.

[JustSoOutrageous]

@Mykevin67 I love the opening seen where they are just talking in The Manatee mostly because of the look of the paper cups they are drinking out of, for me it just brings back how wonderful the 70’s really was.

Growing up I spent much time at the Country Style Doughnuts you are talking about doing the exact same thing, smoking and eating at the same time LOL.

[Mykevin67]

@JustSoOutrageous  We Canadians love our coffee, ciggies, and doughnuts. LOL

[Christina5Archer]

Craig, you were/are fantastic; you had so much heart. I wish that we could have met sometime.