Blast From The Past: Kurt Russell in Silkwood

Last week when I asked readers who they would like to see featured in my 'Blast From The Past' section, two people emailed suggesting Kurt Russell. I have seen many of Kurt's movies over the years and always found him a good actor but for some reason he never hit my 'attraction' meter. Yes, I had seen screen caps of his glorious backside (Below in Tango & Cash), walking side by side with Stallone, but I guess I sort of put him in the 'good looking father' category of men.



Last weekend I picked up a copy of Silkwood in a 2 for $9.99 bin. I had seen Silkwood as a kid but really only remember Meryl Streep and Cher who was playing a lesbian. I was blown away by the movie. Watching it as an adult, my appreciation of Streep (who really had her best roles in the 80's) as an actress was once again cemented. Cher also put in a great performance as Dolly and the movie, directed by Mike Nicols is a masterpiece and Nicols sets a mood, and a scene as only a brilliant theatre director can do. The character of Thelma was especially heartbreaking and I remembered the power of her scenes from the first viewing.

Silkwood: 1983


What I did not remember from the first viewing was how incredibly hot Kurt Russell was. Maybe it was because I was a kid when I first saw the movie. Viewing it now in my 30's I was able to watch Kurt as an incredibly hot man, not just the older man. In Silkwood Russell's Drew is 'such a man', a working man, sexy, insightful, not to mention sweaty. Drew also had a dash of caring and compassion to complete the package. It struck me that as perfect as Russell's body was in Silkwood, sadly today some would label him as bulky or overweight. If you have not seen Silkwood, find it to watch as soon as you can, if you have not seen it in years, watch it again!

Russell & Russell

Kurt Russell has been a fixture on television and in films since the early 60's.  Although I've seen a lot of his work, I don't think I truly appreciated his sex appeal until re-watching Silkwood (above) in 2011.  I'd seen the film on VHS as a kid, I think early in 90's, but I didn't really notice how hot Daddy Russell was until seeing it this time around when I was a little older.  

I really didn't know about Wyatt Russell the actor, until watching Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.  When I checked out his IMDB page, I noticed I'd seen Wyatt before, most notably in 2016's Everybody Wants Some.  I just hadn't made the connection that he was the son of Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn.

I do however remember reading about Wyatt back in the early 2000's.  That's when his devoted parents moved to Canada with, but mostly for, their then teenaged son.  They moved to Vancouver to support Wyatt's hockey career and allow him to play hockey at a high level, while at the same time finishing school.  

Wyatt went on to play professionally in Canada, the US and in Europe.  Wyatt's hockey career ended in 2010 after a hip injury.  Although he'd acted before, (as a baby in parents 1987 comedy Overboard) it was after his injury that he began pursuing acting more seriously.

Although Daddy Russell has been shirtless many times on screen, his biggest exposure came from these paparazzi shots that made the rounds on-line in the early 2000's.

There are rumors that Russell and Sylvester Stallone used body doubles for their 1989 flick Tango & Cash.  I get the rumors as except for this flick, Russell has never done on-screen nudity before.  I've watched the scene a few times, and I tend to think it's real.  In addition to how they walk, there are a few shots where bit of the side of their faces are shown, and if they're body doubles, they did an incredible job casting.

Tango & Cash (1989)

Wyatt has shown a little more skin on screen than his dad, and hopefully they'll be more in his future.  Wyatt's career has certainly grown beyond just being the son of actor, with many blockbusters on his resume, including his current on-screen role in Steven Spielberg's Disclosure Day.

We Are What We Are (2013)

 Everybody Wants Some!! (2016)

The Second Battle: February 1977

When Battle of the Network Stars returned for it' second edition on February 28th, 1977, the name may have been temporarily changed, but the format was basically the same.  Many faces, and hot television bodies also returned, like regular Robert Conrad, (above) who always did a impressive job with filling out his speedo.

NBC Team:

Robert Conrad (captain) Elizabeth Allen, Lynda Day George, Carl Franklin, Karen Grassle, Dan Haggerty, Art Hindle, Kurt Russell, Jane Seymour and W. K. Stratton

ABC Team:

Gabe Kaplan, (captain) LeVar Burton, Darleen Carr, Richard Hatch, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs .Ron Howard, Hal Linden, Kristy McNichol, Penny Marshall and Jaclyn Smith 

I only really know Sonny Bono because of Cher. I think I first saw him was in the late seventies when he and Cher reunited and sang together on The David Letterman Show.  Nice to see he brough Chaz, (above) along for support. 

CBS Team:

Telly Savalas, (captain) Sonny Bono, Kevin Dobson, Mike Farrell, David Groh, Linda Lavin, Lee Meriwether, Rob Reiner, Loretta Swit and Marcia Wallace

Kurt Russell

When I started this series earlier this year, (The First Battle) I don't think I initially realized how much research was going to be required.  I had plenty of shots already on the site of hot celebrities in their speedos from their time on the ABC reality sports show.  I don't think I got it however, how many editions there were, and how difficult it would be to find good images from the shows first few years.

Dan Haggerty & Conrad 

When the show began in the late 70's, few people had VCR's in their homes to record, and not many people had scanners, to scan the images that popped up in magazines.  Thankfully, with a little digging, I've been able to find images of most of the male contestants.  For some, like Robert Conrad, who appeared multiple times, I can't be sure every image is from the correct year, but I've done my best to match images with each specific airing of the season.

Hal Linden giving Kristy McNichol a hand.

It was nice to see Ron Howard return, but sadly again, we didn't get to see Richie Cunningham in a speedo.  I was surprised with some of the competitors, I didn't know that Rob Reiner and Kurt Russell appeared in this second episode.  I also love some Art Hindle, and also didn't know the Canadian actor appeared on the show.  Most surprisingly, I didn't know Grizzly Adams, (Dan Haggerty) would look so hot in a speedo!

LeVar Burton & Russell

Burton

Burton giving Richard Hatch a hand

Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs

Art Hindle

Linden and Mike Farrell in the dunk tank

Flexing his Russell

'I seem to have a knack for picking movies that go on to be cult favorites.'
Kurt Russell

I've featured many men over the years who have entered the 'family business.'  Young actors who follow in their father's, (or mother's) footsteps, or models with children who also enter the industry.  Last year, I really got into the first season of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.  I really enjoyed the first season, but am admittedly struggling a little with getting through the second.

One of the best things about the show is seeing actors Kurt and Wyatt Russell play the same character at different points in the show's history.  Their resemblance is of course striking, and when watching Wyatt, you feel like you're watching a younger version of his father, which of course... you are. 

Check out the more sexy sons, two from actors, one from a model and another from politician on FH HERE:

Captain Ron (1992)

Current TV Crush: Ren Watabe

'We needed an actor who we really wanted to follow through the series. Someone who was believable in the Japanese world, but also could speak English for the English-speaking world as well. He really came out of nowhere.'

Casting Director, Monarch, Legacy of Monsters

Last week, I binged the first three episodes of  the new Apple TV+ series, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.  I loved every minute of it.  I love 'monster' movies, and this series makes you feel like you're watching a feature film.  Like most monster movies however, the  monster scenes are hit and miss.  There aren't really that many scenes with Godzilla or the other monsters, which is probably a good thing.  In some scenes, they're incredibly realistic, but in in others, they're incredibly fake.  I always wonder why directors and editors don't edit out those 'fake' looking moments.  

I remember the same thing happened with the dragons in Game of Thrones.  Of course, given there is no such thing as dragon, all the scenes required a suspension of belief, yet for the most part, it was easy to do as the special effects were so well done.  Then bam, there would be one or seconds where the dragons looked so obviously fake, it took you instantly out of the story.

Those few seconds however, didn't detract from my enjoyment of the show.   The characters and story instantly drew me in, and they cast a wonderful group of actors.  It was sort of crazy first seeing Wyatt Russell in the show.  I initially thought it was a younger, digital version of his father Kurt.  Then I realized it was his son, and they were playing the same character, Lt. Lee Shaw, at different times within the story.  Wyatt is a very good actor, and really engaging in the role.  Regardless of his relationship with Kurt, he quickly proves he deserved the role, beyond just the physical resemblance with the other Lt. Lee Shaw. 

One of my favorite characters in the series is Kentaro Randa played by Ren Watabe.  I am enjoying Kentaro's relationship with is new found sibling, and instantly crushed over Ren.   Born in Japan, this is the only the 24 year old's second acting credit, and first professional lead role.  Prior to getting cast as Kentaro, Ren was working as a line cook, doing a bit of modeling on the side.  

Ren was the perfect casting choice as not only is he incredibly hot, he also draws you instantly into his story, and has you wanting to follow him to see where it leads.  Despite being new to acting, he also holds his own in scenes with Kurt Russell and the rest of the cast.  Ren does not really have much of an on-line presence yet, but looking forward to watching more of him in the series and what I'm sure will be many other projects in the future.