Kurt Russell discusses grief, family and the future of Monarch at Monte-Carlo TV Festival
As he prepares to receive the prestigious Crystal Nymph Award at the closing ceremony of the Monte-Carlo TV Festival tonight, Hollywood icon Kurt Russell gave a press conference during which he reflected on a remarkable career spanning more than six decades, discussed his current television projects, shared insights into his acting philosophy, and, for the first time publicly, revealed a moving and deeply personal story about his father.
Kurt Russell
Russell, who began acting as a child in the early 1960s, said returning to Monaco was particularly meaningful. "It's really nice and it's great because every summer we like to go on a vacation," he said. "This was perfect, so we haven't seen Prince Albert in a long time. It was 1993, I think, when we last saw him."
Reflecting on the passage of time, he added: "That's the hardest thing to realize as you get older, is like time just does fly by."
One of the first topics discussed was his experience working alongside his son, Wyatt Russell, in the Apple TV+ series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, where the two actors portray the same character at different stages of life.
Russell explained that both he and his son had unusually similar life paths, with him having played professional baseball and Wyatt previously pursuing a professional hockey career before entering acting.
The opportunity to portray the same character fascinated them because, according to Russell, there were few examples of well-known father-and-son actors playing younger and older versions of the same person.
"It was a bit of a challenge," he said. "It was an opportunity that we didn't want to pass up."
He also revealed that Wyatt had just begun work on a new standalone series centered on the younger version of Lee Shaw.
"It has nothing to do with Monarch, but it is that character of young Lee," Russell said. "I think during the Cold War period. Sounds very good, and very creepy monsters in it, I guess."
The discussion then turned to Russell's current television success, with both Monarch: Legacy of Monsters and The Madison attracting large audiences simultaneously.
The actor admitted the situation was unusual even for someone with his experience.
"The Monarch show is really dominated by audiences of 40 and under, and Madison is dominated by like 30 and up," he said. "There were a lot of eyeballs on it."
At age 75, Russell said he found it gratifying to remain part of projects that resonated with audiences.
"All of a sudden, I was kind of out there with things that people were enjoying and seeing at a large number, so that's really nice."
Asked about his approach to acting and whether he considers himself a method actor, Russell was unequivocal. "I never was," he said.
Instead, he explained that his performances are rooted in observation and life experience. "I've always been fascinated by human beings."
For Russell, the true challenges in life were not acting roles but his years as a professional athlete.
"When you get 20,000 people in the stands, and the winning run or tying run's on third base, and the guy on the mound's throwing you a two-two slider that's really hard to hit, that's a challenge."
Among the most difficult acting assignments of his career, he singled out portraying Elvis Presley in the acclaimed 1979 television film directed by John Carpenter. "Playing Elvis Presley is a challenge. Everybody knows what you're trying to do."
That role carried special significance because Russell had actually worked with Presley as a child actor in It Happened at the World's Fair.
Recalling the experience, Russell revealed that he unexpectedly landed both a role in the Elvis film and a part in The Twilight Zone on the same day, although scheduling conflicts ultimately prevented him from appearing in the latter. "I had a wonderful time," he said of Presley. "He's a really great guy."
When asked about filming The Madison on location, Russell described the experience as virtually perfect. "There is no challenge. It is just really fun to do."
He praised co-star Michelle Pfeiffer and the creative team behind the series, describing the production as "a dream experience."
The conversation also touched on the possibility of a remake of the cult classic Escape from New York.
Russell expressed no opposition to revisiting the franchise. "They've talked about that many different times," he said. "Why not? Sure, go ahead. Give it a shot."
He noted that after 45 years, the property is certainly open to a new interpretation.
A substantial part of the press conference focused on The Madison and its exploration of grief, loss, healing, and human connection. When a journalist praised the show's blend of sorrow and hope, Russell enthusiastically agreed. "You have it 100%, exactly what we were trying to do and create."
He particularly praised Pfeiffer's performance, describing her commitment to the emotionally demanding role. "Michelle's a grinder. She grinds it out day after day after day."
The most emotional moment of the session came when Russell was asked whether he personally related to the show's depiction of conversations with deceased loved ones.
The actor responded with an intimate story he said he had never shared publicly before.
Speaking about his late father, Bing Russell, Russell revealed the extraordinary final conversation they had as his father was dying. "I've never said this before publicly," he began.
Russell described a relationship unlike any other in his life. "My father and I had a fabulous relationship. I never have known another human being who I was closer to."
As his father's health deteriorated, Russell struggled to accept what was happening. One day, his father asked him what he was thinking. "I said, 'Well, you're the man to tell me.'"
After some hesitation, Russell finally admitted what was on his mind. "I said, 'I'm just glad it's not me.'"
His father's response became a life lesson he has never forgotten. "He said, 'You keep thinking that way, you're gonna have a great life.'"
Russell became visibly reflective as he described what that exchange meant to him.
"If I could pass that on to my kids, that if I ever ask them that question, and I'm dying, if they can look me in the eye and say, 'I'm just glad it's not me,' I'll feel like I've done my job."
The story offered a rare glimpse into the personal philosophy that has shaped Russell's life and career and underscored why the themes of The Madison resonate so strongly with him.
Looking ahead, Russell said he has no ambitions to move into directing.
"I learned a long time ago the best way to help a picture that I was working on really was to have long conversations with the director and the writer."
He compared directors to captains steering a ship, emphasizing that his role is to support the creative vision rather than control it.
Asked whether there are still roles or challenges he hopes to tackle after more than sixty years in the business, Russell said the search for great stories never ends. "The stories are harder to find."
Still, he remains optimistic and curious about what lies ahead. "Try to do your best. And don't be afraid."
Reflecting on the passage of time, he added: "That's the hardest thing to realize as you get older, is like time just does fly by."
One of the first topics discussed was his experience working alongside his son, Wyatt Russell, in the Apple TV+ series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, where the two actors portray the same character at different stages of life.
Russell explained that both he and his son had unusually similar life paths, with him having played professional baseball and Wyatt previously pursuing a professional hockey career before entering acting.
The opportunity to portray the same character fascinated them because, according to Russell, there were few examples of well-known father-and-son actors playing younger and older versions of the same person.
"It was a bit of a challenge," he said. "It was an opportunity that we didn't want to pass up."
He also revealed that Wyatt had just begun work on a new standalone series centered on the younger version of Lee Shaw.
"It has nothing to do with Monarch, but it is that character of young Lee," Russell said. "I think during the Cold War period. Sounds very good, and very creepy monsters in it, I guess."
The discussion then turned to Russell's current television success, with both Monarch: Legacy of Monsters and The Madison attracting large audiences simultaneously.
The actor admitted the situation was unusual even for someone with his experience.
"The Monarch show is really dominated by audiences of 40 and under, and Madison is dominated by like 30 and up," he said. "There were a lot of eyeballs on it."
At age 75, Russell said he found it gratifying to remain part of projects that resonated with audiences.
"All of a sudden, I was kind of out there with things that people were enjoying and seeing at a large number, so that's really nice."
Asked about his approach to acting and whether he considers himself a method actor, Russell was unequivocal. "I never was," he said.
Instead, he explained that his performances are rooted in observation and life experience. "I've always been fascinated by human beings."
For Russell, the true challenges in life were not acting roles but his years as a professional athlete.
"When you get 20,000 people in the stands, and the winning run or tying run's on third base, and the guy on the mound's throwing you a two-two slider that's really hard to hit, that's a challenge."
Among the most difficult acting assignments of his career, he singled out portraying Elvis Presley in the acclaimed 1979 television film directed by John Carpenter. "Playing Elvis Presley is a challenge. Everybody knows what you're trying to do."
That role carried special significance because Russell had actually worked with Presley as a child actor in It Happened at the World's Fair.
Recalling the experience, Russell revealed that he unexpectedly landed both a role in the Elvis film and a part in The Twilight Zone on the same day, although scheduling conflicts ultimately prevented him from appearing in the latter. "I had a wonderful time," he said of Presley. "He's a really great guy."
When asked about filming The Madison on location, Russell described the experience as virtually perfect. "There is no challenge. It is just really fun to do."
He praised co-star Michelle Pfeiffer and the creative team behind the series, describing the production as "a dream experience."
The conversation also touched on the possibility of a remake of the cult classic Escape from New York.
Russell expressed no opposition to revisiting the franchise. "They've talked about that many different times," he said. "Why not? Sure, go ahead. Give it a shot."
He noted that after 45 years, the property is certainly open to a new interpretation.
A substantial part of the press conference focused on The Madison and its exploration of grief, loss, healing, and human connection. When a journalist praised the show's blend of sorrow and hope, Russell enthusiastically agreed. "You have it 100%, exactly what we were trying to do and create."
He particularly praised Pfeiffer's performance, describing her commitment to the emotionally demanding role. "Michelle's a grinder. She grinds it out day after day after day."
The most emotional moment of the session came when Russell was asked whether he personally related to the show's depiction of conversations with deceased loved ones.
The actor responded with an intimate story he said he had never shared publicly before.
Speaking about his late father, Bing Russell, Russell revealed the extraordinary final conversation they had as his father was dying. "I've never said this before publicly," he began.
Russell described a relationship unlike any other in his life. "My father and I had a fabulous relationship. I never have known another human being who I was closer to."
As his father's health deteriorated, Russell struggled to accept what was happening. One day, his father asked him what he was thinking. "I said, 'Well, you're the man to tell me.'"
After some hesitation, Russell finally admitted what was on his mind. "I said, 'I'm just glad it's not me.'"
His father's response became a life lesson he has never forgotten. "He said, 'You keep thinking that way, you're gonna have a great life.'"
Russell became visibly reflective as he described what that exchange meant to him.
"If I could pass that on to my kids, that if I ever ask them that question, and I'm dying, if they can look me in the eye and say, 'I'm just glad it's not me,' I'll feel like I've done my job."
The story offered a rare glimpse into the personal philosophy that has shaped Russell's life and career and underscored why the themes of The Madison resonate so strongly with him.
Looking ahead, Russell said he has no ambitions to move into directing.
"I learned a long time ago the best way to help a picture that I was working on really was to have long conversations with the director and the writer."
He compared directors to captains steering a ship, emphasizing that his role is to support the creative vision rather than control it.
Asked whether there are still roles or challenges he hopes to tackle after more than sixty years in the business, Russell said the search for great stories never ends. "The stories are harder to find."
Still, he remains optimistic and curious about what lies ahead. "Try to do your best. And don't be afraid."
